Georgia vs Portugal predictions: Much-changed Selecao to claim the spoils

Tom McGarry

Spotlight

Roberto Martinez has led Portugal to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a game to spare

- Portugal have scored two or more goals in 10 of their last 12 games
- Georgia have kept just four clean-sheets across their last 17 matches
- Recommended bet: Total Goals by Portugal - Over 2.5

Portugal have already booked their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 as winners of Group F and they can therefore enjoy themselves when they face Georgia in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday.

Victories over the Czech Republic and Turkey mean the pressure is off Roberto Martinez's side heading into this game, but that is not the case for Georgia, who realistically need to win if they are to make it through to the knockout stages on their debut appearance at a major tournament.

Team news

With qualification as group winners already assured, Martinez may opt to ring the changes for this game to keep some of his key players fresh for the knockout stages.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes could be among the players handed a rest, with stars such as Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix pushing for their first minutes of the tournament.

Georgia head coach Willy Sagnol is not expected to make any changes to his starting XI following their 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic, although five members of the squad, including captain Guram Kashia, are just one yellow card away from missing a potential round of 16 tie.

The latest Georgia vs Portugal odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Portugal have won 15 of their 17 matches since appointing former Belgium boss Martinez as their head coach following the 2022 World Cup.

The Selecao were top scorers during qualifying for Euro 2024 with 36 goals and they have netted two or more in 10 of their last 12 games.

Georgia have conceded four goals across their two matches in Germany and have only registered four clean-sheets in their last 17 games.

This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between these two sides in senior international football, their only previous clash was a 2-0 friendly success for Portugal in May 2008.

If he features in this game, Portugal captain Ronaldo will make his 50th appearance at a major tournament for the Selecao.

Cristiano Ronaldo will make his 50th major tournament appearance for Portugal if he features against Georgia

Prediction

Martinez is likely to shuffle his pack for this game and while that can sometimes weaken a team, Portugal have so much strength in depth, particularly in forward areas, they should still have plenty of attacking potential.

The likes of Ramos and Felix will be chomping at the bit to impress if they are handed an opportunity and as the highest scorers in qualifying, Portugal are more than capable of running in the goals in Gelsenkirchen.

That cause will be helped by Georgia's need to chase a victory and the Crusaders do not have the strongest defensive record at the best of times, conceding in 13 of their last 17 matches.

Portugal have not only netted two or more goals in 10 of their last 12 games, but seven of those fixtures have seen them strike on at least three occasions, a run that includes putting nine past Liechtenstein, five on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Sweden and four in against Finland.

While the Selecao may not reach those numbers against Georgia, they are capable of finding the back of the net at least three times.

Back Total Goals by Portugal - Over 2.5 at 6/5 with LiveScore Bet