Friday 23rd June, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports
Portugal 1.18 are missing captain Bruno Fernandes and centre-half Ruben Semedo through suspension as they bid to seal a place in the semi-finals of the U21 European Championships on Friday night via the best runner-up spot.
Tobias Figueiredo may deputise for Semedo with Joao Carvalho stepping into central midfield whilst Bruma will surely be given his first start of the tournament after his goal of the tournament contender during the Esperancas' 3-1 defeat to Spain last time out.
Rui Jorge's group made the brighter start in the Iberian derby and Daniel Podence struck a post from 25 yards as the Portuguese put the pressure on early. But Spain struck with nearly their first attack of the encounter and rarely looked out of control of the game thereafter.
Portugal upped the tempo at the start of the second half with Podence again going close but the Esperancas' were restricted to long-range efforts. Despite firing in 22 shots, only five hit the target with only six attempted from inside the Spanish penalty box.
The reverse was Portugal's first in 90 minutes at this level since March 2015 and ended an unbeaten 15-match run since their defeat on penalties in the final of this competition two years ago (W12-D3-L1).
Any realistic hopes Macedonia 19.00 had of reaching the knockout phase of the competition went when they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser against Serbia in their last outing.
Blagoja Milevski's side were given few opportunities in the first 45 minutes with Serbia monopolising possession and pinning the rank outsiders back inside their own half. Macedonia were fortunate to only trail by a goal at the break with Enis Bardhi's long-range free-kick their sole threatening attempt.
Having survived further scares after the interval, Macedonia found their stride and momentum shifted when Bardi converted from the penalty spot after 17 year-old impact sub Elif Elmas' cross hit a hand.
Buoyed by the goal, the underdogs were in the ascendancy and took the lead in the 83rd minute when Nikola Gjorgjev fired in from just outside the area. But Macedonia were unable to hold out for a famous triumph as Uros Djurdjevic snatched a point for the Serbs a minute from time.
Milevski's men are now playing for pride but few major changes are expected to the side although Elmas should be included from the off having proven to be Macedonia's most menacing attacking weapon off the bench.
At the back, Macedonia will be hoping for a more secure performance. The unfortunate 5-0 shellacking against Spain brought an end to a run of five consecutive clean sheets whilst the 2-2 draw with Serbia was only the third occasion in 18 fixtures the usually stubborn outfit conceded more than a single goal.
Indeed, such was the underdogs' defensive solidity in qualification that they made it to Poland despite scoring just 13 goals in 10 matches - a tally matched or beaten by no fewer than 17 teams that failed to qualify.
Portugal have flattered to deceive in their opening two Group B games but I do expect them to come through against Macedonia and it may be worth backing the Iberians to seal a success alongside a clean sheet at 1.84.
The Esperancas' have been silenced only once in their past 16 outings, shipping only eight goals in 15 before coming up against a high-class Spanish side. And the warm pre-match favourites have also recorded 10 shutouts in 14 competitive encounters.
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Back Portugal to win 'to nil' 1.84
Serbia U21 v Spain U21
Friday 23rd June, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports
Spain have already secured their semi-final berth due to their superior head-to-head record against Portugal and so head coach Albert Celades may look to rest his leading lights to keep them fresh for the knockout stage.
Denis Suarez and Dani Ceballos could continue to rotate in central midfield whilst Jose Gaya may return to the fold having dropped out of the team for the 3-1 triumph over Portugal. Substitute goalscorer Inaki Williams should also feature.
La Roja have racked up eight goals in their opening two fixtures and look like the early favourites to go the distance. It took the Spaniards time to get going against Portugal but Saul Niguez scored with their first serious attack and Celades' side soon seized control of proceedings.
Gerard Deulofeu, Hector Bellerin and Marco Asensio all went close to adding to the advantage before Everton target Sandro Ramirez doubled Spain's advantage. Bruma's wonder volley gave Portugal hope but Williams raced clear and scored in injury-time to restore the two-goal lead.
La Roja were out-shot 22-10 by Portugal but restricted their opposition to pot-shots from outside of the area while also creating much clearer goalscoring opportunities themselves. Spain won the expected goals ranking 1.54 - 0.93 in a much-improved performance from their opener.
Meanwhile, Serbia are getting ready to pack their bags for home. A dominating first-half display against Macedonia saw Nenad Lalatovic's charges take a one-goal advantage into the interval but in truth, it should have been more.
Mijat Gacinovic and Marko Grujic wasted chances before Gacinovic's well-deserved 24th minute opener. Grujic saw enough effort saved as Serbian stopper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic played a spectator's role in an impressive showing.
But Macedonia hit back from the penalty spot after the break and were heading for victory when adding a second with only seven minutes to play. However, Uros Djurdjevic headed in from a free-kick late on and Andrija Zivkovic almost won it for Serbia when he headed against the post in injury-time.
The Serbs were visibly upset and frustrated at the final whistle and understandably so. The Balkan nation won the expected goals ranking 2.43 - 0.46 and failure to secure a victory in their opening two games has proven fatal in their bid to reach the final-four.
Radovan Pankov was sent off for two bookings in the dying embers of that dramatic finale against Macedonia and is joined in the stands by the suspended Grujic here. Lalatovic may now look to give a few squad players a run out in Bydgoszcz.
Trying to predict either nation's side on Friday is a thankless task but with little else but pride to play for, an open encounter is forecast. Spain's 1.60 second string is far superior to Serbia's 6.00 but there's little to entice in the Match Odds market.
So instead, have a play on Over 2.5 Goals at around 1.80 - there's already been an average of 3.75 goals per-game between the pair in Group B and with the pressure off, goals should continue to flow in Bydgoszcz.
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Back Over 2.5 Goals 1.76 or better
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