Spain vs Portugal tips and predictions: Will the tournament favourites start with a win?

Spain state of play 

World Champions Spain are the tournament favourites to win their first ever European Championship this summer, despite holders England and the plucky Germans right in contention.

They go into today's match against Spain as firm favourites.

The squad is full of stars including Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putelles, two players who have shared the Ballon d’Or Feminin between them for the past four years. In fact, they’re the only team at the tournament to have such an honour. 

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Despite that, Spain have failed to reach the last four of the Euros before. However, alongside their 2023 World Cup success, Montse Tome’s team also won last year’s Nations League. 

In the process of claiming that trophy, they beat Portugal home and away by an aggregate scoreline of 11-3. Therefore, they’ll be confident and expecting a big win to start their European Championships campaign. 

Portugal state of play

Portugal secured their spot in this summer’s competition by remaining undefeated in their 10 qualifying matches.

This will be the country’s third successive appearance at the tournament but this time, they’ll be looking to progress out of the group stages for the first time. 

Despite their impressive qualifying campaign, they struggled in the Nations League tournament that followed the qualifiers. 

Alongside those two heavy defeats to Spain, they also lost 6-0 to England and 3-0 to Belgium. Their most recent result, a 0-0 warm-up match against Nigeria, also failed to inspire. 

However, can they cause an upset against their Iberian rivals? 

Key talking point: Spain to score plenty?  

There’s no doubt that Spain will be desperate to show why they’re the pre-tournament favourites against Portugal. 

Their experience, quality and desire to win their first ever Euros makes them the hot favourites for not only this opening match but the tournament itself. 

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Spain’s 7-1 and 4-2 victories over Portugal will be fresh in the memory, having happened in April this year. With this match meaning more, La Roja will be looking to inflict a similar scoreline in Switzerland. 

FIRST’s top tip for Spain vs Portugal

Pick: Spain to win on handicap -3 - 17/10 (Coral)

We expect Spain not just to win, but to inflict a big scoreline in their opening match. They’ll be desperate to prove they can handle the pressure of being World and Nations League champions. 

With a squad full of attacking threat and players desperate to prove their quality on the big stage, we’re backing Spain to beat Portugal by three or more goals. Especially considering Portugal have conceded 20 goals in their last five matches. 

Extra tips

Alexia Putellas was cruelly ruled out of Euro 2023 due to a serious ACL injury and will be excited to show why she’s one of the best players in the world. 

After an outstanding season for Barcelona where she scored 17 goals, she’ll be wanting to get her name on the scoresheet in Bern. 

Pick: Alexia Putellas to score anytime -  5/4 (Coral)

Spain vs Portugal predicted line-ups: 

Spain: Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Olga; Guijarro, Alexia Putellas, Caldentey; Pina, Paralluelo, Athenea 

Portugal: Pereira; Gomes, Costa, Seica, Borges, Amado; Jacinto, Do. Silva, Norton; J Silva, Di. Silva 

Form-guide (all competitions)

Spain: WWWWWLWWWD

Portugal: DLLLLWDWDW

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Odds correct at time of writing.