Portugal started off their World Cup campaign with a roller-coaster 3-2 win over Ghana. Ronaldo and co. are set to face Uruguay next, who played out a 0-0 draw against South Korea in their opener. See Last Word on Football’s Portugal predicted lineup and look at their recent form heading into this fixture.
Portugal Predicted Lineup vs Uruguay
Em breve em exibição 🎞🍿 / Coming soon 🎞🍿:
🏟: 🇵🇹✖🇺🇾 #VesteABandeira #WearTheFlag #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/wAhUL8Ryh5
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) November 26, 2022
How Portugal Have Lined-Up Recently
Fernando Santos’ side lined up in a 4-3-3 formation in the opening match against Ghana. Although they won, A Seleção are expected to revert back to the 4-2-3-1 formation they used in the UEFA Nations League. Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa keeps his place between the sticks despite the mistake that almost cost his side a victory in the dying seconds of the first match.
Benfica teenager Antonio Silva gets his first World Cup cap as he replaces Danilo Pereira, however, Santos might turn to the experience of Pepe in this crucial match. William Carvalho replaces Otavio in the midfield as he partners Ruben Neves.
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes starts just behind the front three which sees one change from the previous game. AC Milan’s exciting winger Rafael Leao replaces Joao Felix. Cristiano Ronaldo, as always, leads the attack for the Portuguese.
Portugal Injuries to Consider
Pereira is expected to miss Portugal’s remaining group stage games after reportedly suffering a rib fracture during training. The Paris Saint-Germain star played at centre back in Portugal’s win over Ghana, but reports suggest that he’ll play no further role in Fernando Santos’ plans for the remainder of the group stage.
Portugal Recent Form and Tactics
Portugal’s vulnerability in defense poses a major threat to their World Cup chances. They will also be wary of the threat the South Americans pose as they hope to secure qualification to the knockout stages. “We will have to be very careful because they can press their opponents really intensely, force them into errors and then hit them hard,” Santos said.
The Portuguese will undoubtedly depend on their star players to provide them with the inspiration. Fernandes and Bernardo Silva are the key playmakers of the team. Silva often drops into the midfield to collect the ball and create a midfield overload. This is key to counter the talented midfield duo of Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde. Leao plays a more traditional winger’s role and provides direct goal threat.
Read More: Portugal World Cup Preview – Cristiano Ronaldo’s Final Chance to Win
Portugal are also capable of playing a 3-5-2 system when in possession where Carvalho drops into defense, allowing the likes of Cancelo and Guerreiro to bomb forward and provide crosses for Ronaldo to attack. Finally, Antonio Silva’s pace will be a massive boost in handling Darwin Nuñez.
Portugal Predicted Lineup
The 4-2-3-1 formation is as follows:
GK – Diogo Costa
LB – Raphael Guerreiro
CB – Antonio Silva
CB – Ruben Dias
RB – Joao Cancelo
CM – William Carvalho
CM – Ruben Neves
CAM – Bruno Fernandes
LW – Rafael Leao
ST – Cristiano Ronaldo
RW – Bernardo Silva
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