Portugal v Wales
Thursday 24 September, 19:45
Live on BBC iPlayer
Click here for latest Portugal v Wales odds
Ronaldo still leading the charge for the Selecao
At the age of 41, Cristiano Ronaldo has survived another coaching change with the Portuguese national team. Indeed, new boss Jorge Jesus - who worked with Ronaldo at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia - actively sought to retain the veteran's services.
The numbers remain impressive. Ronaldo has more caps (233) and more goals (146) than anyone in the history of international football, and he won Euro 2016 and the Nations League titles of 2019 and 2025. However, under Jesus' predecessor Roberto Martinez, Ronaldo failed to inspire as the team underwhelmed at Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
It'll be a star-studded Portugal team, with Porto's Diogo Costa in excellent form in goal, the PSG trio Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Joao Neves and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
After Burnley flirtation, Bellamy is back to work
Craig Bellamy has often described the Wales job as the best in the world, so it was jarring for some fans to see hm hold talks with his old club Burnley about their managerial vacancy in the summer. Bellamy decided to stay put, and has insisted his commitment to Wales shouldn't be questioned.
Wales have suffered penalty shootout defeats in qualifying for both Euro 2024 and this year's World Cup, but progress has certainly been made. Bellamy has elevated Wales to the top tier of the Nations League, and a good placing gives them every chance of qualifying for the next Euros.
The problem Bellamy has is that the loss of key players to injury will bite hard given Wales' lack of depth, and he is without Harry Wilson, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor, Nathan Broadhead and keeper Karl Darlow.
Ronaldo to strike in 6/17.00 Bet Builder
For better or worse, Jorge Jesus seems to have become the latest coach to hitch their wagon to Ronaldo, and he is expected to start against Wales here. Ronaldo thrived under the veteran coach in Saudi Arabia, and the attack will be geared towards him here.
Given their absences and the general gap in quality here, I'll back Ronaldo to score and Portugal to win by two goals or more on the Handicap. Ronaldo has 15 career goals in the Nations League in just 20 appearances, and Portugal have a history of taking this competition very seriously - after all, they are the only nation to win it twice.
The final element is backing industrious Leeds United midfielder Ethan Ampadu to be shown a card. He has already picked up a booking this term for the Whites, he collected 13 for club and country last season and this term he has committed at least one foul in five of his seven appearances.
That takes us to a Bet Builder price of 6/17.00.
Back Portugal -1 Handicap, Ronaldo to score and Ampadu to be shown a card @