PORTUGAL
V
DENMARK
October 8, 2015; Thursday
EstA?dio Municipal de Braga
Having won the reverse fixture 1-0, Portugal will be keen on earning three points against Denmark as they hope to seal a spot for Euro 2016. Denmark on the other hand face stiff competition from Albania and will be hoping to beat Portugal in order to keep their hopes for qualification alive.
Team News, Tactics, Line-Ups
Portugal
Playing at home, Portugal are the favourites to win the tie as three points will ensure that they finish on top of their group. Currently sitting on the top with 15 points, Fernando Santos is under no pressure but will be eager to put forth a strong performance.
All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo who is currently suffering from a goal drought after equalling Raula s record at Real Madrid. The Real Madrid player will be the focal point of the attack as he will be eager to score the goal that will clinch his national team a spot in Euro 2016 next year.
With Pepe ruled out of the tie due to an injury, Carvalho and Bruno Alves are expected to start in the defence, flanked by Coentrao and Vieirinha. Miguel Veloso is expected to start in the midfield alongside Atletico Madrid midfielder Tiago, with Danny being deployed in an attacking role. Nani and Bernardo Silva will be expected to provide the ammunition from the wings with Ronaldo leading the teama s attack.
Probable Line Up: Patricio (GK); Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Coentrao, Vieirinha; Veloso, Tiago, Danny, Nani, Silva; Cristiano Ronaldo .
Denmark
Sitting on the second place in the group ( 12 points, 7 games) and having played an extra game, Denmark will be desperate for three points as they play their final game in the lead up to Euro 2016. With Albania closing in on their heels ( 11 points, 6 games), Denmark will be hoping for an inspired performance as they travel to Braga in a bid to salvage their situation.
Morten Olsen has announced his retirement and it remains to be seen if he can guide Denmark to France next year. The manager will be banking on Eriksen to provide the stimulus as they look to beat Portugal in their own backyard.
Daniel Agger will lead the team from the defence and will be accompanied with Kjaer, Durmisi and Jacobsen as the back four will look to contain the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani. Olsen will take comfort in the fact that his defence has conceded only 4 goals in 7 outings as a clean sheet could go a long way in deciding the fate of the match. Schalkea s Pierre-Emile H jbjerg is expected to partner Jakob Poulsen in the midfield with Christian Eriksen playing behind Nicklas Bendtner in a No 10 role.
Probable Line Up: Schmelchel, Kjaer, Durmisi, Agger, Jacobsen; Hojbjerg, J. Poulsen, Eriksen, JA?rgensen, Poulsen; Bendtner
Player To Watch Out For
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the player to watch out as the Portuguese superstar looks to guide his national team France next year. Having equalled Raula s record at Real Madrid, Ronaldo will be keen on getting back to his goal-scoring ways and will lead the teama s charge against Denmark as the two teams meet in Braga.
Prediction
Portugal 1-0 Denmark
While the fixture is expected to be evenly contested by the two teams, Portugal are likely to come out on top as they have the advantage of playing at home.
Blast From The Past
