Portugal v Holland: Nations League final betting preview, tips & TV details

Sky Sports Football/Main Event, 7.45pm Sunday

Holland needed extra-time to see off England in Thursday's Nations League semi-final and they may have to go the distance against Portugal if they are to claim their first major trophy since 1988.

The tight schedule favours Portugal, who have had an extra day to rest since Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick saw off Switzerland on Wednesday.

But Portugal's performance against the Swiss was far from convincing.

Switzerland were deservedly back on level terms after a controversial VAR call handed them a 57th-minute penalty, which was converted by Ricardo Rodriguez, and the match was in the balance until Ronaldo settled the issue with two superbly-taken late goals.

Ronaldo turned 34 in February but he remains as important to the Portuguese cause as at any time in his career.

However, even he cannot be relied upon to play a match-winning role every time he takes to the field and, if he has one of his quieter games the hosts may struggle to justify favouritism.

Holland do not possess a truly world-class forward but they are a well-balanced team and they have made huge progress in a short space of time.

Twelve months ago they were still coming to terms with their failure to qualify for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup finals – but the Nations League has provided a platform for a new generation of Dutch talent to come to the fore.

Centre-back Matthijs De Ligt, midfielder Frenkie De Jong and winger Steven Bergwijn have quickly established themselves as key players in an exciting Dutch side which has emerged from the wreckage of their dismal World Cup qualifying campaign.

De Ligt is still learning the game and made an error when conceding a penalty against England on Thursday.

But his centre-back partnership with Virgil van Dijk has the potential to be as good as anything in international football and looks crucial to containing Ronaldo.

They look strong in midfield where De Jong links up with Champions League winner Georginio Wijnaldum and the only concern is up front.

However, the Dutch front three, led by Memphis Depay, have plenty of energy and they played a key role in forcing England into crucial mistakes.

The question is whether they have enough left in the tank to press Portugal.

Ronald Koeman has a few tricky selection decisions to make and may consider the merits of a start for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, who impressed as a second-half substitute against England.

But the likelihood is that Holland will be less dominant than they were against England (when they won the shot count 29-13) and they may have to lean more heavily on their defence to stay in the game.

It will be in Portugal's interests to keep the tempo high and feed off the enthusiasm of the home crowd.

But they did not do that enough against the Swiss and may be dragged into another tight tussle which could go to extra-time and possibly penalties.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 23-10 Ladbrokes

Already advised
Holland to win the tournament
2pts 10-3Betway

Team news
Portugal
No fresh injuries are reported and Fernando Santos may choose to select an unchanged side.

Holland
Donny van de Beek and Quincy Promes are pushing for starts after impressing off the bench against England.

Key stat
Portugal have drawn four of their last five matches.

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