Against All Odds: Portuguese Panthers to feast on Nacional

Boavista can take advantage of tired opponents

Paul Robinson heads from Spain to Portugal as he thinks that Boavista can upset the odds and earn a result at Nacional.

Nacional v Boavista
Sunday January 11, 18:00 GMT

After finishing in fifth place last season and qualifying for Europe, Nacional haven't been able to live up to those highs this year as they are down in 14th place in the Primeira Liga and they didn't make it through to the group phase of the Europa League.

A penalty shoot-out victory in the Taca de Portugal on Thursday would have boosted confidence levels a little bit but they had to play two hours of football to get there and ultimately, the match result was still a draw. 

Prior to that, Manuel Machado's side had lost three in a row, all to nil. They did face the better teams in Portuguese football, but even so, the Madeira based club have won just three of eight league fixtures in front of their own fans this term.

Opponents, Boavista, were promoted from the Segunda Liga last season and they will be happy with their 16 point haul so far this year that leaves them in 12th place - five points clear of the relegation zone.

A dozen of those 16 points did come at Estdio do Bessa and while they have lost six times on the road since their promotion, 'The Panthers' have been able to record a famous draw at Porto and a win at Vitoria Setubal in December.

Petit's men come into this game having lost just one of four in all competitions and they have had an extra four days rest than their opponents. That could well be the decisive factor here, so with Nacional trading at around the 1.674/6 mark, I have to make them my lay of the day.  

Recommended Bet
Lay Nacional v Boavista @ 1.674/6

2015 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 9 pts
Returned: 10.77 pts
P/L: + 1.77 pts (after commission)
(2014 P/L: + 17.34 pts)
(2013 P/L: + 3.80 pts)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)