MX23RW : Monday, December 23 01:19:15| >> :600:116998:116998:
[monks data]
Republic of Ireland national football team
World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage
Nov 11, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
Aviva Stadium
Portugal national football team

Rep. Ireland
0 - 0
Portugal


Ogbene (29'), Coleman (54'), Doherty (90+3')
FT

Pereira (71'), Pepe (72')
Pepe (82')

How Portugal could line up against the Republic of Ireland

How Portugal could line up against Ireland
© Reuters
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Portugal could line up for Thursday's World Cup Qualifying 2022 clash with the Republic of Ireland.

Portugal manager Fernando Santos will be forced to work around Nuno Mendes's suspension for Thursday's World Cup 2022 Qualifying battle with the Republic of Ireland.

The Paris Saint-Germain left-back picked up his second booking of qualification in the win over Luxembourg and will take his place on the naughty step at the Aviva Stadium.

Having featured as a left-back for Manchester City to great effect this term, Joao Cancelo is therefore expected to get the nod on that side as Diogo Dalot earns a start on the right, but his teammate Bernardo Silva will miss out due to muscular problems.

Goalkeeper Anthony Lopes will play no part due to injury but was not expected to displace 100-cap Rui Patricio, who ought to be protected by Pepe and Ruben Dias once again.

Santos will likely be forced to field his strongest XI twice in quick succession ahead of Sunday's meeting with current group leaders Serbia, as Joao Palhinha takes his place in the number six role.

Joao Moutinho and Bruno Fernandes will both reprise their roles in midfield if that is the case, although Renato Sanches is another option for the visitors to Dublin.

Joao Felix and Diogo Jota should act as Santos's first-choice attackers to support Cristiano Ronaldo, whose late heroics against Ireland in September saw him become the highest goalscorer in the history of men's international football.

Portugal possible starting lineup: Patricio; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Cancelo; Moutinho, Palhinha, Fernandes; B. Silva, Ronaldo, Jota

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Written by
Ben Knapton
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How you voted: Rep. Ireland vs Portugal

Republic of Ireland
13.4%
Draw
9.4%
Portugal
77.2%
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