Portugal aims to secure the top position in their group as they host Poland in Porto for the fifth Nations League match of League A.
POR vs POL Match Details
Date: Friday, 15 November 2024 / Saturday, 16 November 2024
Time: 21:00 (CET), 01:30 (IST)
Venue: Estádio Do Dragão, Porto
POR vs POL Match Preview
Portugal replaced their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign in the summer with an incredible Nations League campaign with a 100% start in their first three games. A victory in the fourth game would have sealed their place in the finals but an unexpected goalless draw against Scotland delayed their qualification to the November games. They maintained their three points lead at the top after Croatia also fumbled in their match against Poland, otherwise missing the chances would have resulted in a close battle. Now with the Pols and Croatia to face in the remaining matches, Roberto Martinez's side wants to get the job done with a point enough to secure qualification to the Nations League finals for the first time since the inaugural edition. However, the top spot will be decided in the final game even if they win. The Selecao are carrying an excellent home form in the competition by winning seven of their last 10 matches and will want a reversal of their 3-1 win in the reverse fixture at Warshaw.
Despite taking just one win from four matches, Poland remains in the hunt for the quarterfinals of the Nations League in its present format after their incredible 3-3 draw against Croatia. The Eagles started with a 3-2 win against Scotland but losing in the next two matches took some steam off them. The point earned have opened their chance again trailing the Croats by just three points and winning the remaining games with a slump from the runners-up will allow them to get into the finals. However, a loss will eliminate them from the race and Michal Probierz's side fears the same traveling to Porto to face the unbeaten leaders Portugal. Due to the poor head-to-head record against the top two, Poland has to salvage a point to keep themselves in the race with bottom-placed Scotland to face in the final game but it seems very tough as they failed to win any of their last six meetings against the host and rescued a draw only twice. Losing star striker Robert Lewandowski due to an injury has added to their woes.
POR vs POL Recent Form
POR: WWWD
POL: WLLD
POR vs POL Predicted Lineups
Portugal
Costa; Dalot, Silva, Araujo, Mendes; Fernandes, Joao Neves, Silva; Neto, Ronaldo, Leao
Poland
Bulka; Frankowski, Piatkowski, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zalewski; S Szymanski, Moder, Zielinski; Swiderski, Piatek
POR vs POL head-to-head
Played - 14
GRE won - 7
Drawn - 4
ENG won - 3
POR vs POL Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo
Vice-captain Pick: Bruno Fernandes
POR vs POL Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Costa (Cr - 7.5)
DEF: Frankowski (Cr -7), Dalot (Cr - 8), Mendes (Cr - 8.5)
MID: Zalewski (Cr - 8), Fernandes (Cr - 9), Zielinski (Cr - 9), Silva (Cr - 8.5)
FW: Swiderski (Cr - 8), Ronaldo (Cr - 9), Leao (Cr - 8)
Vice-captain: Bruno Fernandes
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal vs Poland Match Prediction
Despite unexpectedly losing their 100% start to Scotland, Portugal will return to winning ways against goal-leaking Poland having a sublime home form. We predict a 2-0 win for the Selecao.
