Michaelson’s picks

It is worth mentioning that Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo is not part of Portugal’s squad that will kick off their Uefa Nations League campaign at home to Italy today. Over the years, Ronaldo – popularly referred to as CR7 – has been the paper that Portugal’s squad has been written on.

However, Fernando Santos’ side have proved they can pull the strings without their talisman, as they won the 2016 European championship when Ronaldo limped out of the final against France and his nation went on to lift the trophy.

Italy kicked off their Nations campaign this past weekend with a one-all draw in their own backyard against Poland in League A’s Group 3.

Be that as it may, Portugal hold the upper hand against the Azzurri, having come at the back of a decent Fifa World Cup showing, while the Italians had to watch the proceedings at home.

Also, Roberto Mancini’s side are on a campaign of revival and I predict a difficult trip for the four-time Fifa World Cup champions to the Estadio da Luz stadium. Pool Name: S6 V3 P1 M1: Russia v Czech Republic. Russian win. Tip: Win =1. M2: Montenegro v Lithuania. A share of spoils. Tip: Draw =2. M3: Portugal v Italy. Preview above. Win for the home side. Tip: Win = 1. M4: Serbia v Romania. All points for Romania. Tip: Win = 3. M5: Scotland v Albania. A goalless draw. Tip: Draw = 2. M6: Sweden v Turkey. Tight one, but win for Sweden.

Tip: Win = 1.