Preview: Group B - Portugal vs. Netherlands

By Robert Summerscales, Reporter | 17 June 2012

The Netherlands have one last chance to salvage their fading Euro 2012 hopes when they face Portugal in Kharkiv tonight. Sports Mole previews the encounter.

Portugal can guarantee a place in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals with a victory over Group B rivals the Netherlands in Kharkiv tonight.

Their opponents, who are pointless after two games and have reportedly suffered from internal conflicts within their squad of late, must win and hope that Germany 'take care' of Denmark in Lviv.

The Dutch have not beaten Portugal in their last eight attempts, losing five.

Netherlands boss Bert van Marwijk has a fully fit squad to chose from and may decide to hand first starts of the tournament to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart, who spoke of his substitute-bench frustrations last week.

Opposite number Paulo Bento also has a full complement of players to chose from after Miguel Lopes overcame a cold.

Recent form:

Portugal: WDDLLW
Netherlands: WLWWLL

Possible starting XIs:

Portugal: Patricio; Pereira, Pepe, Alves, Coentrao; Veloso, Meireles; Nani, Moutinho, Ronaldo; Postiga

Netherlands: Stekelenberg; Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Willems; De Jong, Van Bommel, Robben, Sneijder; Van Persie, Huntelaar

Sports Mole says: 2-1