Poland vs Portugal: Preview, predictions and lineups

Portugal are aiming to make it three wins on the bounce at first of their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League marketing campaign once they go to Poland on Saturday night time.

The inaugural winners of the Nations League in 2018/19, Portugal have been nonetheless reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo’s targets to assist them safe 2-1 victories over Croatia after which Scotland throughout the September worldwide break. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner now has 132 targets for his nation.

Poland are equally depending on their ageing ahead to fireplace them to victory within the type of Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski, who scored from the spot within the latest and late 3-2 win over Scotland. Nonetheless, he was unable to seek out the online in a tame 1-0 defeat away at Croatia within the following match.

Portugal boast the higher hand in previous conferences, successful six of the 13 earlier clashes. The 2 nations have been drawn in the identical group within the 2018/19 Nations League the place Portugal have been topped champions, with Poland falling to a 3-2 defeat and securing a 1-1 draw throughout the 2 clashes.

Right here is 90min’s information to Portugal’s battle with Poland this weekend in League A.

Poland vs Portugal H2H Document (Final 5 Video games)

Present kind (all competitions)

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny retired after Euro 2024 from each membership and worldwide soccer however has since come out of retirement for a quick spell with Barcelona. Nonetheless, he is nonetheless not obtainable to be chosen by Michal Probierz.

Szczesny’s new Barcelona teammate Lewandowski is included in October’s squad after a improbable goalscoring run in the beginning of the 2024/25 season, with Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior and Inter summer season signing Piotr Zielinski are additionally concerned.

Michael Ameyaw, Maxi Oyedele, and Mateusz Skrzypczak may make their debuts after being referred to as as much as the senior squad, however Adam Buksa and Mateusz Wieteska miss out by means of harm.

Poland predicted lineup vs Portugal (5-3-2): Skorupski; Kaminski, Walukiewicz, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zalewski; Szymanski, Urbanski, Zielinski; Piatek, Lewandowski.

Roberto Martinez has included just a few contemporary faces in his Portugal squad, with Farense goalkeeper Ricardo Velha and Mallorca midfielder Samu Costa making the lower. Renato Veiga of Chelsea may additionally make his debut, together with his membership teammates Joao Felix and Pedro Neto concerned as effectively.

Ronaldo has been chosen as soon as once more as he continues his legendary worldwide profession and he shall be anticipating to begin towards Poland. Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and Milan’s Rafael Leao will present attacking assist for the veteran.

Sporting CP duo Pedro Goncalves and 17-year-old Geovany Quenda have missed out after that includes in September’s squad, whereas Paris Saint-Germain ahead Goncalo Ramos is out injured.

Portugal predicted lineup vs Poland (4-3-3): Costa; Dalot, A. Silva, Dias, Mendes; B. Silva, Palhinha, Fernandes; Neto, Ronaldo, Leao.

Portugal have made an ideal if barely unconvincing begin to their Nations League marketing campaign, edging previous Croatia and leaving it late to beat Scotland of their opening video games. They’ve seldom blown opposition away during the last six months and Saturday is unlikely to be a hefty victory.

They are going to be made to work laborious for 3 factors towards a cussed Poland facet that wish to defend deep and restrict area. Probierz’s males have the person high quality to trigger points if Portugal are complacent.

Nonetheless, Ronaldo and co. ought to safe a 3rd successive win to increase their lead atop their group in League A, with their attacking firepower and midfield ingenuity possible an excessive amount of for the Polish rearguard.

Prediction: Poland 0-2 Portugal

READ THE LATEST NATIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS & PLAYER RATINGS