Two of the most dangerous attacking sides in Europe meet in Oslo on Sunday after making winning starts to their Nations League campaigns.
Norway’s return to League A began with a 3-2 win over Denmark on Thursday. Oscar Bobb opened the scoring before Erling Haaland struck twice, including the 74th-minute winner after Denmark had fought back from 2-0 down.
Portugal’s first match under Jorge Jesus was less dramatic.
João Félix scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Wales. Portugal had 22 shots to Wales’ five, while Cristiano Ronaldo somehow failed to score despite having seven attempts of his own.
Sunday should be a much bigger test.
Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals this summer and have now won four of their last five matches. Portugal are the reigning Nations League champions and possess one of the deepest squads in international football.
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What are the best betting tips for Norway vs Portugal?
Both teams to score
Norway have reached a point where their attacking quality makes them dangerous against almost anybody.
Haaland scored twice against Denmark, Bobb got the other and Martin Ødegaard and Antonio Nusa were heavily involved in creating chances. Norway have now scored at least twice in five of their last six competitive matches.
The problem is at the other end.
They surrendered a two-goal advantage against Denmark and have conceded in five consecutive matches stretching back to the World Cup.
Portugal should offer an even greater attacking threat.
Jesus’ side only scored once against Wales, but the performance deserved more. They managed 22 attempts and spent long periods camped around the Welsh penalty area.
Ronaldo, Félix, Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto and Bruno Fernandes give Portugal plenty of ways to hurt Norway.
Picking a winner isn’t straightforward. Goals at both ends looks more appealing.
Erling Haaland to score
Sometimes there isn’t much point trying to be clever.
Haaland scored twice against Denmark on Thursday and has carried his World Cup form straight into the Nations League. He scored seven times during Norway’s run to the quarter-finals this summer.
Portugal obviously present a much tougher defensive test.
Rúben Dias and company kept Wales scoreless on Thursday, but they will now face a completely different problem.
Norway can attack quickly through Nusa and Bobb, while Ødegaard gives Haaland the service he needs centrally.
There is also the set-piece threat. His winner against Denmark came from a corner routine, and Portugal will have to deal with his physical presence whenever Norway can load the box.
If Norway score on Sunday, the obvious candidate remains their number nine.
Cristiano Ronaldo 2+ shots on target
Ronaldo didn’t score against Wales. It wasn’t for a lack of trying.
The 41-year-old attempted seven shots, three more than any other player on the pitch. He missed a big opportunity and also had a second-half goal ruled out by VAR.
That volume makes the shots market interesting against Norway.
Solbakken’s side conceded twice against Denmark and allowed the visitors back into a game they appeared to have under control.
Portugal should create opportunities of their own, particularly with Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes supplying the final third.
Ronaldo remains part of Jesus’ plans and started through the middle against Wales.
Seven shots without a goal was frustrating on Thursday. For this selection, we only need two of them to test Ørjan Nyland.
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What have the managers said?
Ståle Solbakken:
Solbakken was keen to manage expectations even before Norway opened their campaign with victory.
Their excellent World Cup run and promotion to League A have raised expectations, but the Norway boss warned that the margins are much smaller at this level.
“We had a fantastic World Cup, we have every reason to be optimistic.”
However, he also stressed that Norway must remember how strong the opposition becomes in League A and described his country as a “very small” football nation compared with some of Europe’s established powers.
There is no hiding the importance he places on games in Oslo either.
When naming his squad, Solbakken said:
“If we are going to finish as one of the two teams that advance, we have to take points at home.”
Three against Denmark was the perfect start. Portugal will provide a much tougher examination of that home record.
Jorge Jesus:
Jesus was pleased with Portugal’s winning start, particularly their defensive performance, but admitted there is plenty to improve before Sunday’s trip to Oslo.
“We won, we have a lot of room to improve.”
Portugal initially struggled to adjust to Wales’ shape before taking control later in the first half. Jesus was particularly pleased that his side limited Wales to just one effort on target.
Looking ahead to Norway, he added:
“We have to correct things from this game before we go to Norway.”
Jesus also stressed that Portugal are still adapting to his ideas after only a short period together, saying that some players did not perform as well individually as they can.
What is Norway’s predicted team?
(4-3-3) Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Østigård, Heggem; Berge, Aursnes, Ødegaard; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa.
Suspended: David Møller Wolfe.
Norway should keep the majority of the side that beat Denmark.
Haaland and Bobb both scored on Thursday, while Ødegaard remains central to everything Norway do in possession. Møller Wolfe is unavailable after his dismissal against Denmark.
Norway’s current squad also includes attacking alternatives such as Jørgen Strand Larsen, Andreas Schjelderup and Thelo Aasgaard.
What is Portugal’s predicted team?
(4-3-3) Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; João Félix, Ronaldo, Pedro Neto.
Jesus has plenty of scope to rotate after Thursday’s game, particularly with four Nations League fixtures packed into this international window.
Félix strengthened his case to start by scoring the winner against Wales, while Ronaldo should remain through the middle after attempting seven shots in the opener.
Rafael Leão, Bernardo Silva, Francisco Conceição and Gonçalo Ramos are among the alternatives available if Jesus decides fresh legs are needed.
Norway vs Portugal prediction
This is arguably the standout game in Group A4.
Norway showed both sides of themselves against Denmark. Their attack was devastating early on, but allowing a 2-0 lead to disappear showed there are still defensive vulnerabilities.
Portugal will punish those mistakes more ruthlessly.
At the same time, Jesus’ side won’t have things entirely their own way. Norway have Haaland, Ødegaard, Nusa and Bobb, home advantage and plenty of confidence after their World Cup run.
Portugal have the deeper squad. Norway might have the most dangerous individual on the pitch.
There isn’t enough between them to confidently back either side, and a high-quality draw would keep both unbeaten after two games.
Score prediction: Norway 2-2 Portugal
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