Portugal v Nigeria prediction, lineups & tips: Selecao's final World Cup rehearsal

Portugal host Nigeria at Leiria in their last 2026 FIFA World Cup warm-up before flying to North America. Roberto Martinez has a full squad available, while the Super Eagles arrive without Osimhen and Lookman but unbeaten in six.

Jon Fisher

Published

Wed 10 Jun, 16:00

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Cristiano Ronaldo could be making his final appearance on home soil in a Portugal shirt on Wednesday evening, and Roberto Martinez will want to send the Selecao to North America with a convincing win. Portugal host Nigeria at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa in Leiria, their last 2026 FIFA World Cup warm-up before flying to Florida and their Group K opener against DR Congo on June 17.

Portugal

2–1

Full time

Nigeria

Wed 10 Jun, 20:45

Portugal arrive in good shape. They beat Chile 2-1 on Saturday, with Goncalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scoring, and Martinez now has a full squad at his disposal for the first time this window. The UEFA Champions League-winning quartet from Paris Saint-Germain, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos, have all joined up after PSG's final victory over Arsenal, and Matheus Nunes has returned to training after the fitness issue that kept him out against Chile.

Martinez has been clear on what this fixture means. "Against Nigeria, we have an opportunity to work on aspects that are similar to the strengths that Congo also has," he told reporters on Tuesday. "It's a different African team, with a lot of tactical flexibility." His record since taking over in 2023 stands at 29 wins, four draws and six defeats, and Fernandes' goal against Chile was the 100th scored under his management.

For Nigeria, the occasion feels very different. The Super Eagles are missing the World Cup for the second successive tournament after losing to DR Congo on penalties in the CAF qualifying playoff, the same DR Congo who await Portugal in Group K. Eric Chelle's side have won nine of their last 12 matches, however, and drew 2-2 with Poland in Warsaw on June 3, with Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu scoring. They arrive in Leiria unbeaten in six games and with genuine motivation to improve on the 4-0 thrashing Portugal handed them in Lisbon in November 2022.

Nigeria have been competitive in this June window despite several absences. They retained the Unity Cup with wins over Zimbabwe and Jamaica before the Poland draw, and Chelle has built a more organised side that presses with intensity and carries pace in wide areas through Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze. The concern is purely attacking: without Osimhen and Lookman, the Super Eagles lack a focal point capable of punishing Portugal's high defensive line. Moffi and Akor Adams are expected to start up front, as they did against Poland.

Portugal's form under Martinez, Nations League winners and World Cup qualifiers as group winners, collecting 13 points from six matches, makes them clear favourites. Ronaldo, 41, played the first half against Chile and may feature here as he prepares for what is widely expected to be his sixth and final World Cup.

Last 2 meetings · most recent first

Home wins

Draws

Away wins

Goals · H / A

6 / 1

Martinez spoke about Ronaldo on Tuesday ahead of the Nigeria match. "Our captain sets an example in everything he does," he said. "He gives his all, 24 hours a day, to help the national team. Our captain and the rest of the players are not thinking about the future. The focus is on training, being the best, putting the concepts into practice and showing pride in wearing the shirt."

Team news for Portugal v Nigeria

Portugal: Martinez confirmed that Matheus Nunes missed the Chile friendly with a physical issue but has since returned to training and is expected to be available. Rafael Leao is available despite his red card against Chile, the suspension does not carry over to this fixture. The PSG quartet of Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos are all in camp and could start. Ronaldo featured for 45 minutes against Chile and may be managed carefully.

Nigeria: Victor Osimhen has been rested after a demanding club season, while Atletico Madrid requested Ademola Lookman be excused following a busy campaign. Samson Tijani and Alhassan Yusuf are also missing due to visa issues. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali remains out of the squad. Defender Igoh Ogbu was reported as a doubt through injury though most predicted XIs still have him pencilled in. Forward Rafiu Durosinmi departed camp for personal reasons ahead of this game.

Martinez has signalled he will use the Nigeria match to give minutes to players across his 27-man squad, so rotation is likely. The PSG quartet are in contention to start, though Ramos may come off the bench. Nigeria are expected to line up in a 4-4-2, with Moffi and Adams leading the line as they did in Warsaw.

Portugal: Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Vitinha, Fernandes, Joao Neves; Bernardo Silva, Guedes, Pedro Neto

Nigeria: Okoye; Bewene, Ogbu, E Fernandez, Onyemaechi; Simon, Onyeka, Ndidi, Nnadi; Adams, Moffi

Portugal v Nigeria kicks off at 20:45 BST on Wednesday, 10 June 2026 at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa in Leiria. In the UK, the match is available on Amazon Prime Video on a pay-per-view basis. A single match can be purchased for £2.99 without requiring a full Prime subscription, via primevideo.com.

Portugal have met Nigeria only once at senior level, a friendly in Lisbon on 17 November 2022, which Portugal won 4-0. Bruno Fernandes scored twice, with Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario adding late goals off the bench.
Nigeria are unbeaten in their last six matches, winning nine of their last 12 in all competitions, including a 2-2 draw with Poland on 3 June 2026.
Portugal are ranked 5th in the FIFA World Rankings; Nigeria sit 26th.
Under Martinez, Portugal have recorded 29 wins, four draws and six defeats, scoring 100 goals in that time. They have won seven of their last eight home matches.

Headline prediction · our pick

✓ HitConfidence · high

match result: portugal to win

Portugal have the class, home advantage and World Cup motivation to win comfortably, but Nigeria's unbeaten run and the absence of rotational risk for Martinez means this will not be as one-sided as Lisbon 2022. The Super Eagles' pace on the counter, particularly through Simon and Chukwueze, gives them a genuine chance of scoring, both teams found the net in Portugal's last three home games. Portugal should run out winners, but Nigeria have scored in all five of their 2026 friendlies and will not leave Leiria without at least one attempt on goal going in.

Best Price3/10bet365 · score 3-1

✓ Prediction landed

TIP 01✗ Miss

Correct Score: 3-1

Portugal won their only previous meeting 4-0 in 2022, but that was against a more weakened Nigeria side without Osimhen or Chelle's current defensive structure. Martinez is rotating, which may reduce Portugal's cutting edge slightly. A 3-1 scoreline accounts for Nigeria's ability to score, Moffi and Onuachu both netted against Poland, while still reflecting Portugal's clear superiority in quality. This is the score that best fits the expected pattern of play: Portugal dominant, Nigeria nicking one on the break.

TIP 02✓ Hit

Over 2.5 Goals: Over

Nigeria have scored two or more goals in all five of their 2026 friendlies, and both teams found the net in Portugal's last three home games. Portugal average 2.6 goals per game under Martinez, and with a full squad available and World Cup confidence building, they will look to attack from the start. The combination of Portugal's attacking depth and Nigeria's willingness to press high and counter creates conditions that favour goals at both ends. Over 2.5 is well-supported by recent form from both sides.

TIP 03✓ Hit

Both Teams to Score: Yes

Nigeria scored in both of their previous June friendlies, Jamaica (3-0) and Poland (2-2), and came close to a famous victory against the Poles before conceding a 95th-minute equaliser. Even without Osimhen and Lookman, Moses Simon and Terem Moffi offer enough pace and movement to test Portugal's high line. Portugal have conceded in three of their last four internationals, so BTTS is well-backed by the data. The risk is that Portugal keep a clean sheet against a depleted attack, but Nigeria's 2026 scoring record makes that unlikely.

TIP 04✗ Miss

Anytime Goalscorer: Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes scored against Chile last Saturday for his 29th Portugal goal and has now netted in back-to-back friendlies against the same opposition he faced in Lisbon 2022, when he struck twice. He operates centrally in Martinez's 4-3-3, drives the press, and arrives into the box regularly. With PSG players likely to feature in the starting XI, Fernandes will have quality around him to create chances. He is the most consistent goal threat in this Portugal squad and the strongest Anytime Goalscorer candidate from either side.

TIP 05✓ Hit

Double Chance: Home or Draw

Portugal have not lost a home friendly under Martinez and boast a full-strength squad for the first time this window. Nigeria are competitive but are missing their two biggest attacking names in Osimhen and Lookman, and the step up in class from Poland is significant. A draw is a distant possibility if Martinez rings wholesale changes and Portugal's high line gets exposed on the counter, but a Portugal win or draw covers every realistic outcome. The value in this market is thin, but the certainty is high.

Build the Portugal v Nigeria bet

BetFootball Builder · 3 Legs✗ Miss

Home Win

✓ Hit

Match Result

3/10

Portugal's home record under Martinez and their full-squad availability makes a home win the bedrock of this builder. It anchors the other two legs, if Portugal are winning, Fernandes is likely getting on the ball in advanced positions, and Nigeria will need to push forward to get back into the match, increasing the likelihood of an open game with goals at both ends.

Yes

✓ Hit

Both Teams to Score

4/5

Nigeria's 2026 scoring record in five friendlies is the key data point here. BTTS complements the home win leg rather than directly correlating with it, Portugal can win 2-1 or 3-1 while still fulfilling this leg. It also means the builder does not require a dominant Portugal clean-sheet performance, reducing the risk that wholesale rotations lead to a more open, competitive game.

Bruno Fernandes

✗ Miss

Anytime Goalscorer

3/2

Fernandes is the least correlated leg of the three: he can score in a Portugal win where both teams score, but his goal is not required for either of the other two legs to land. He scored against Chile, has 29 Portugal goals in total, and plays the deepest-lying creative role in Martinez's midfield, meaning he accumulates shots and arrives late into dangerous positions throughout the game. Adding him to a home win and BTTS combination builds genuine odds without relying on an outlier outcome.

Combined Price

97/20

Stake£10.00

Returns£58.50

Profit+£48.50