Portugal v Netherlands finals

Andy Schooler previews Sunday's UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and the Netherlands and he's expecting a soccer tip with goals, but not many cards…

Portugal v Netherlands

Sunday, 1945

Live on Sky Sports Football & Main Event

Portugal start favourites lớn win the inaugural Nations League final and there's one good reason for that - Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Juventus star bagged a hat-trick of stunning finishes against Switzerland in Wednesday's semi-final lớn fire his side lớn a 3-1 victory and show just what a game-changer he still can be.

The scoreline seriously flattered the hosts. They had been caused plenty of problems by the Swiss, who didn't really deserve lớn lose, let alone by two clear goals. You can prefer to the soccer tips every day page!

But Ronaldo's finishing was the difference. While the Swiss created plenty of chances, they didn't have a ruthless striker in their side.

Pepe ruled out

Of most concern lớn boss Fernando Santos would have been the gaps that appeared all too often in the Portuguese defence, one which is now shorn of the experience of Pepe, who broke his shoulder in the semi-final. Jose Fonte, once of Southampton and now of Lille, looks set lớn deputise.

Danilo Pereira is also likely to come into the side in midfield. He was suspended for the Swiss game.

He'll have his work cut out given Frenkie de Jong proved his class by leading the Dutch lớn victory in the second semi against England.

The Netherlands were made lớn work hard but were the better side and on this occasion the better team did progress.

Dutch set for changes

Still, they won't stand still and having played 30 more minutes than their final opponents a full 24 hours later, Ronald Koeman looks likely to freshen up his team.

Ryan Babel did little and could well be replaced by Quincy Promes, who looked lively when he came on and duly scored in extra time.

Donny van de Beek is also likely lớn get a game - given his form for Ajax he can be considered unlucky not lớn have started against England.

Further back, much focus will be on the battle between Virgil van Dijk and Ronaldo, two of the best players in the world right now. Who comes out on top could go a long way to deciding the destination of the trophy.

Repeat show?

Van Dijk certainly had the better of the clash when these two sides last met - in March 2018. On that occasion, the Dutch ran out 3-0 winners on neutral soil in Geneva. It is one of just two defeats Portugal have suffered in their last 31 games so, despite being a friendly, the game will surely have some significance heading into this one.

Netherlands are 3.15 lớn repeat their victory of 15 months ago, with Portugal at 2.25 and the draw a 3.35 shot in the match result market.

In terms of simply lifting the trophy, it's 1.83 Portugal, hai.18 Netherlands.