Luxembourg-Portugal is a match on the second day of Euro 2024 qualifying Group J and is played on Sunday at 20:45: TV, predictions.
As expected, Portugal got off to a strong start in qualifying for the European Championship in Germany, scheduled for the summer of 2024. It was all very easy for the Lusitanians in the opener against the uncompetitive Liechtenstein, who were downed 4-0 at the ‘José Alvalade’ stadium in Lisbon. A soft debut for new selector Roberto Martinez, who was also able to experiment a little in the second half of the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo also smiled, of course. The former Real Madrid and Juventus striker, now at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, could not fail to join the goal festival, taking the opportunity to increase his haul with the national team. He scored the last two goals, both from spot kicks: first a penalty and then a free kick. Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva also finished on the scoresheet. Martinez fielded a very attacking eleven, with plenty of quality players from the midfield upwards, deploying Palhinha – one of the ‘secrets’ behind Fulham’s great championship run in the Premier League – in front of the defence, formed by Danilo Pereira, Ruben Dias and Inacio. In short, the former Belgium coach seems to have clear ideas on how to turn this Portugal team around and put everyone in a position to express their talent. In any case, Liechtenstein cannot be considered a test.
Positive debut for Martinez
The level rises slightly in the next match, the one against Luxembourg, a selection that has been on the rise for a few years now thanks to the numerous naturalisations, the reason behind the qualitative improvements of the small national team of the Grand Duchy.
Holtz
Luc Holtz’s men played it out in Slovakia, against a stronger opponent on paper, stopped at 0-0. Avoiding defeat in Trnava was crucial in order to be able to face Portugal without too much pressure, in what looks like a match already written. Luxembourg approached the match with CR7 and his team-mates on the strength of an unbeaten record going back six matches. And in three of the last four the Red Lions have also kept their goal unbeaten. We expect Martinez to make several changes, with Milan’s Leao and Benfica striker Ramos coming off the bench.
The Prediction
Luxembourg have made huge strides in recent years and the away draw in Slovakia is proof of that. But the Grand Duchy’s selection is unlikely to avoid defeat even against a national team of far greater calibre such as Portugal: the Lusitanians should prevail by winning by at least two goals. Another clean sheet would not be a surprise.
Luxembourg v Portugal line-ups
- LUSSEMBOURG (4-5-1): Moris; Bohnert, Chanot, Gerson, Pinto; Sinani, Barreiro, Pereira, Olesen, Sanches; Rodrigues.
- PORTOGALLO (4-4-2): Rui Patricio; Danilo Pereira, Ruben Dias, Inacio; Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, Guerreiro; Ronaldo, Joao Felix.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-2
