Poland and Russia continue their preparations for Euro 2020 with an international friendly in Wroclaw on Tuesday evening.
While both nations will fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stages next month, they have each lost three of their most recent five fixtures.
Match preview
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Despite guiding Poland to Euro 2020 qualification during his tenure, Jerzy Brzeczek was replaced by Paulo Sousa at the start of 2021, a surprise choice given that the Portuguese had done little since a respectable period at Fiorentina several years ago.
However, Sousa has started his stint in the dugout somewhat indifferently, drawing 3-3 in Hungary before suffering defeat against England at Wembley Stadium after being level up until the 85th minute.
While there is still plenty of time to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Poland have little momentum heading into a group with Spain, Sweden and Slovakia.
The Eagles will be expected to progress through to the knockout stages, but their most notable win since the resumption of action in September came against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
On the plus side, Robert Lewandowski has come through three matches with Bayern Munich since recovering from a knee injury which had the potential to threaten his participation in this competition.
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Russia find themselves in a similar predicament with three defeats against well-matched opposition coming since the middle of November.
Stanislav Cherchesov will be satisfied with six points coming from their opening three World Cup qualifiers, but losing in Slovakia again highlighted the weaknesses in this side.
Just two clean sheets have been recorded in 11 fixtures, those shutouts coming at home to Hungary and away in Moldova.
Artem Dzyuba has netted four goals in his last three outings, the Russia skipper extending his outstanding scoring record for his country to 29 strikes from just 50 games.
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Team News
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Both starting lineups are difficult to predict with each manager needing to take the workload of their players into consideration.
Lewandowski may be given the first 45 minutes in the Poland attack, but the legendary forward will almost certainly not play the full 90 minutes.
Mateusz Klich could start after being rested for Leeds United's closing Premier League matches, taking the place of Napoli's Piotr Zielinski who has featured in 47 matches for Napoli this season.
Cherchesov could give the starting XI from the defeat in Slovakia another chance to impress, a move which would see Denis Cheryshev only selected among the replacements.
Aleksandr Sobolev will also hope for a start in the final third ahead of Rifat Zhemaletdinov.
Poland possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Helik, Glik, Bednarek; Bereszynski, Klich, Krychowiak, Moder, Rybus; Milik, Lewandowski
Russia possible starting lineup:
Shunin; Semenov, Dzhikaya, Kudryashov; Fernandes, Kuzyaev, Ozdoev, Golovin, Zhirkov; Sobolev, Dzyuba
We say: Poland 2-1 Russia
While the result of this contest is not necessarily important, both managers will want to get back on track. We expect a competitive encounter in Wroclaw, but the home side are better placed to come away with the victory.
Top tip
Darren Plant
