Portugal vs Poland Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Portugal are looking set to progress into the quarter-finals of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League as they take on a Poland side that have not assured themselves of survival in League A.
Kick-off date/time: Friday 15th November, 2024: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – FOX Sports streaming platforms
Portugal Preview: FRUSTRATED SELECAO
Coached by former Wigan Athletic, Everton and Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, the Portuguese national team had started their campaign with three successive victories before a goalless draw against Scotland at Hampden Park last month.
Portugal endured a very difficult and unimpressive UEFA EURO 2020 in which they were knocked out of the quarter-finals against Slovenia. They have been underperforming throughout this calendar year with underwhelming displays and tactical tweaks.
Poland Preview: FINDING RESULTS
Poland come into this one on the back of a thrilling 3-3 draw with Croatia in their most recent outing in Warsaw in the Polish capital last month. The eastern Europeans have managed just one victory in their opening four matches.
They remain under the management of former Poland U21 boss Michal Probierz. There is an over reliance on Robert Lewandowski but the Barcelona forward has enjoyed a very impressive start to this season, reinvigorated with the coaching of Hansi Flick.
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Portugal Team News: FINDING THE FORMULA
Portugal have been trying to tweak their system to find the winning formula but the Selecao have yet to stumble on the right method to get consistent performances and results.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Costa; Cancelo, Silva, Dias, Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Palhinha, Fernandes; Conceicao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix
UNAVAILABLE: Inacio (Injured), Nunes (Injured), Goncalves (Injured), Diogo Jota (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
Poland Team News: NO LEWA
The aforementioned Lewandowski has actually withdrawn due to an injury, whilst midfielder Kacper Kozlowski and Jakub Piotrowski are also sidelined for the Polish.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Bulka; Dawidowicz, Bednarek, Kiwior; Kaminski, Szymanski, Moder, Zielinski, Zalewski; Swiderski, Urbanski
UNAVAILABLE: Kozlowski (Injured), Piotrowski (Injured), Lewandowski (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
Portugal vs Poland Prediction
Despite their inconsistency and general lack of cohesion brought about by a constant chopping and changing of the system, Portugal are still in pole position to land top spot in League A Group 1 of this season’s UEFA Nations League. They take on a Poland side that have shown they can score goals even without Lewandowski, despite a reliance on their captain. Portugal are favourites for what could be an entertaining encounter.
Portugal vs Poland Tip: PORTUGAL TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
