Portugal v Spain is the sixth Nations League match of the season on Tuesday at 20:45.
Switzerland, always defeated in their first three Nations League matches, have suddenly shifted up a gear in the last two days, effectively ‘earthquaking’ the fight for top spot in League A Group 2 between Portugal and Spain. Last June, Murat Yakin’s men – Italy’s executioners in the World Cup qualifiers – had chastened CR7 and his teammates in Geneva. And on Saturday, they did the same to Luis Enrique’s Roja, beating Zaragoza’s Romareda and thus allowing the Lusitanians to overtake their ‘cousins’ again at the top of the table. At this point, Spain’s hopes of reaching the Final Four hang by a thread. Or rather, they will need to leave the Municipal Stadium in Braga with the three points to return to first place.
On the other hand, the Seleçao led by the experienced Fernando Santos is one step away from re-entering the top four of this competition, which they won in the edition – the first ever – of 2018-2019. Portugal, thanks to their two-point lead over Spain, will also go to the Final Four with a draw, thus being able to count on two out of three results. After the collapse on Swiss soil, the 2016 European champions bounced back with a 4-0 thrashing of the Czech Republic at home, with neither Leao nor Cristiano Ronaldo among the stars, but former AC Milan full-back Diogo Dalot, now with Manchester United, scoring a brace. The Roja, on the other hand, ran out of goals for the first time, appearing incisive, abulic and far too horizontal. An important alarm bell for the former Roma and Barcelona coach just two months before the start of the World Cup.
Gavi
The Prediction
A sort of play-off for first place between two teams who preach and play an offensive, possession-based type of football. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that could be repeated in Braga, where Portugal need only not lose to reach the Final Four. The Portuguese, in addition to enjoying the home factor, seemed more on the ball in the last round and the feeling is that they will be able to avoid defeat. Both, as in June, should score at least one goal each.
Portugal v Spain matchday squad
- PORTOGALLO (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Danilo Pereira, Cancelo; Ruben Neves, Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Leao.
- SPAGNA (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Dani Carvajal, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba; Koke, Rodri, Pedri; Sarabia, Morata, Ferran Torres.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
