2018 FIFA World Cup – Iran vs Portugal Preview

AT A GLANCE

When? Monday 25^th June, 19:00

Where? Mordovia Arena

What channel is it on? BBC1

Where can I stream the match? BBC license holders can stream the match online via BBC iPlayer

Are tickets still available? https://www.ticketbisevents.com/en/group-b-portugal-spain-morocco-iran-tickets/ca5911

THE TEAM NEWS

IRAN

• Iran have to beat Portugal to reach the last 16 but they will take heart from the loss to Spain as they played well on the whole, and they will also take positives from how Morocco played and troubled the Portuguese.
• Cheshmi will miss the rest of the tournament so Hosseini will continue in central defence but Quieroz has no new injury concerns here and despite various players being one booking away from suspension, Queiroz will not make changes and will likely repeat the same 11.

Predicted line-up (4-1-4-1):

Beiranvand

Rezaeian, Hosseini, Pouraliganji, Hajsafi

Ezatolahi

Taremi, Amiri, Ebrahimi, Ansarifard

Azmoun

Unavailable: Cheshmi

Doubtful: None

PORTUGAL

• Portugal come into this game knowing that a draw will suffice in seeing them qualify for the knockout phase but they will play to win in what is a tight group.
• They have two doubts with Joao Moutinho picking up a virus and Guerreiro sustaining a leg injury and both have missed training time, but it is expected both should be fine to start as Manuel Fernandes and Mario Rui are on standby.
• Fernando Santos will not make any wholesale changes but there is a chance of a couple of changes with Bruno Fernandes and Andre Silva possibly coming into the side.

Predicted line-up (4-4-2):

Rui Patricio

Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro

Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho, Joao Moutinho, Joao Mario

Cristiano Ronaldo, Goncalo Guedes

Unavailable: None

Doubtful: Joao Moutinho, Guerreiro

THE PREDICTION

This will not be an easy game for Portugal and they will have to raise their performance from the Morocco game. Iran and Queiroz are clever competitors and will test Portugal, but one would expect Cristiano Ronaldo to take advantage when Iran have to leave spaces and attack as the game progresses.