MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 12:34:29| >> :600:446176:446176:
[monks data]
Portugal national football team
International Friendly
Nov 17, 2022 at 6.45pm UK
Estádio Nacional
Nigeria national football team

Portugal
4 - 0
Nigeria

Fernandes (9', 35' pen.), Ramos (82'), Mario (84')
Horta (90')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Etebo (81')

How Portugal could line up against Nigeria

How Portugal could line up against Nigeria
© Reuters
Sports Mole looks at how Portugal could line in Wednesday's international friendly with Nigeria.

Portugal bring their preparations for the upcoming World Cup to an end on Thursday when they go head to head with Nigeria at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

After sitting out last Wednesday's EFL Cup victory over Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Jose Sa returned to action against Arsenal at the weekend and the 29-year-old should get the nod between the sticks versus the Super Eagles.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently broke the internet with a controversial interview where he took several digs at Manchester United, was absent from Sunday's 2-1 victory over Fulham due to illness and could start from the bench as he returns to full fitness.

With that being said, in-form striker Goncalo Ramos, who has netted 10 goals in 17 matches for Benfica this season, could spearhead A Selecao's attack, with 27-year-old Otavio and AC Milan forward Rafael Leao starting out wide.

However, Leao faces real competition on the left flank from Braga attacker Ricardo Horta, who has been in red-hot form in the Primeira Liga, where he has four goals and four assists in 13 matches.

Off the back of an impressive outing against Manchester United, Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha could be handed a starting role, forming a two-man midfield pivot with 25-year-old Ruben Neves, while Vitinha could also be handed a starting role.

Fernando Santos has often used Danilo Pereira as a makeshift centre-back and the 31-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes in Paris Saint-Germain's weekend victory over Auxerre, should start at the heart of the defence once again.

Having started 10 of Benfica's 13 league matches, teenage sensation Antonio Silva is enjoying a breakout campaign and the 19-year-old could partner Pereira, while Diogo Dalot and Raphael Guerreiro should take up the right and left full-back roles respectively.

Portugal possible starting lineup: Sa; Dalot, Silva, Pereira, Guerreiro; Palhinha, Neves, Vitinha; Leao, Otavio, Ramos

ID:499791:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3480:No Data Analysis info
Game History

How you voted: Portugal vs Nigeria

Portugal
79.7%
Draw
7.8%
Nigeria
12.5%
232
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo pictured during training on October 26, 2022
Read Next:
Cristiano Ronaldo headlines Portugal squad for 2022 World Cup
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!