Thursday's International Friendlies predictions including Portugal vs. Sweden

Russia vs. Serbia (Thursday, 5.00pm)

Serbia travel to the VTB Arena in Moscow to face Russia in an international friendly on Thursday evening.

The two nations meet for the first time since November 2020 when Serbia put Russia to the sword 5-0 in a UEFA Nations League fixture.

We say: Russia 1-3 Serbia

It remains to be seen how strong both nations will line up for Thursday's friendly, but Serbia's squad possesses more experience and quality, so the visitors can be regarded as favourites to come out on top in Moscow.

Cyprus vs. Latvia (Thursday, 5.00pm)

Underperforming nations Cyprus and Latvia meet in Larnaca for an international friendly on Thursday evening.

The two nations struggled in Euro 2024 qualifying but did both register a win in the autumn internationals, which they will hope to take positives from heading into the first set of fixtures this year.

We say: Cyprus 1-1 Latvia

Neither nation has shown much to get excited about over the past 12 months apart from one-off performances against fellow weak opponents recently.

Both have attacking players playing at a decent level across Europe, but incoherent offensive play and defensive frailty is what will likely be on show in this underwhelming encounter.

Malta vs. Slovenia (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Slovenia will make the trip to Malta as resounding favourites ahead of their international friendly on Thursday evening.

The visitors have their place at Euro 2024 booked, while Malta will look to build on improving results in hope of one day making a major tournament themselves.

We say: Malta 0-3 Slovenia

Slovenia are in superb form, and despite Malta's recent improvement, another defeat is on the cards for the tiny nation.

Kek's men have lost just three of their last 14 away games, while they have won six of their previous seven across all venues, and another victory should be added to that run here.

Belarus vs. Montenegro (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Belarus and Montenegro meet in neutral Turkey for an international friendly at the Mardan Sports Complex on Thursday evening.

Designated hosts Belarus will seek a first-ever win over their upcoming opponents, with both entering the New Year on the back of respectable Euro qualifying campaigns.

We say: Belarus 1-2 Montenegro

In four meetings since Montenegrin independence, there has been two draws, with the Brave Falcons claiming success on the other two occasions, including in their most recent fixture in 2019.

It is hard to see past another Montenegro win given their form in Euro 2024 qualifying, but Belarus sprung many surprises in their own group, so expect a close encounter here.

Cape Verde vs. Guyana (Thursday, 7.00pm)

Cape Verde play Guyana in a friendly match taking place at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium on Thursday.

The fixture is part of the pilot phase of the FIFA Series, seeing teams from different confederations square up in exhibition games keen to unlock technical development opportunities previously unavailable to many of them.

We say: Cape Verde 2-1 Guyana

While Shabazz has told his players to give their all ahead of the FIFA Series encounter, Cape Verde are a more cohesive unit and should secure a marginal victory on Thursday.

Guinea vs. Vanuatu (Thursday, 7.00pm)

Guinea return to international action with a friendly against Vanuatu on Thursday, their first fixture since reaching the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Vanuatu will be hoping to take advantage of a rare game against an established footballing nation by ending a three-match winless run.

We say: Guinea 3-0 Vanuatu

Although Guinea may not necessarily line up with their strongest side for this contest, it should still largely be one-way traffic. Vanuatu would take pride in a solid performance and avoiding a heavy defeat, and they may just avoid that here.

Portugal vs. Sweden (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Jon Dahl Tomasson will take charge of his first game as manager of Sweden when they do battle with Portugal in an international friendly at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on Thursday.

The two nations meet for the first time since October 2020 when Portugal recorded a 3-0 win in Lisbon in the UEFA Nations League.

We say: Portugal 2-1 Sweden

It remains to be seen how strong both teams will line up for this contest, but Sweden will be somewhat boosted by the news that Ronaldo is among a number of Portuguese regulars who will not be involved on Thursday.

A closely-contested encounter could therefore be on the cards, with Sweden hoping to make a bright start under Tomasson, but we believe that Portugal will still have enough quality on show to secure the victory on home soil.

> How Portugal could line up against Sweden

Andorra vs. South Africa (Thursday, 9.00pm)

Andorra and South Africa face off in a friendly match at the May 19th Stadium in Algeria on Thursday.

The fixture is part of the pilot phase of the FIFA Series, seeing teams from different confederations square up in exhibition games keen to unlock technical development opportunities previously unavailable to many of them.

We say: Andorra 0-1 South Africa

South Africa should eke out a victory against Andorra to extend the European nation's winless run.

Italy vs. Venezuela (Thursday, 9.00pm)

Kicking off their brief trip to the United States, Italy meet Venezuela on Thursday evening at Fort Lauderdale's Chase Stadium.

While the Azzurri are preparing to defend their European title this summer, their opponents have one eye on the upcoming Copa America.

We say: Italy 2-1 Venezuela

Though Venezuela have shown signs of improvement, Italy are also trying to turn over a new leaf under Luciano Spalletti, who is not afraid to take the game to any opponent. The reigning European champions should have too much depth for their South American counterparts to contend with, but it could be a fairly close contest.

> How Italy could line up against Venezuela