Match details:
Portugal vs Spain
12:15 AM IST
POR vs SPA Preview:
These two European powerhouses will clash with each other in a friendly that will be their first rendezvous since their 2018 World Cup clash. Portugal is in red-hot form after besting Croatia and Sweden in their Group A3 encounters, beginning their UEFA Nations League title defence in pompous fashion. To make it even better for Fernando Santos’ side, they have not lost their last five friendlies, with their most recent victory coming against Scotland.
Spain has also been on the top of the charts with a thrilling draw against Germany that saw some late theatrics save them the blushes and then a cruising victory against an inferior Ukraine as they routed them by a comprehensive 4-0 margin. Spain is scheduled to play against Switzerland and Ukraine after their friendly affair with Portugal. Here are our fantasy picks for this game.
POR vs SPA: Head to head:
Out of the last three encounters between these two sides there have been two draws that included the high-octane 3-3 affair in World Cup 2018 while another one was a goalless affair. However, the last international friendly between these two sides ended in a 4-0 thrashing of Spain as Carlos Martins, Helder Postiga and Hugo Almeida found the back of the net.
Probable Teams:
Portugal:
Lopes; N. Semedo, Dias, Pepe, Sequeira; Carvalho, Moutinho, Fernandes; Podence, Felix, Jota
Spain:
De Gea; Roberto, Ramos, Torres, Reguilon; Busquets, Ceballos, Merino; Traore, Rodrigo, Fati
Picks to consider:
Ansu Fati will be an important name for today’s game considering the blistering form that this youngster has shown in the recent outings of Barcelona.
Diogo Jota will also be a big name for today’s friendly as he has been in decent shape in Premier League. Though he is still to live up to his billing for Liverpool, he will be a big name in the Portuguese colours.
Captaincy Choices:
1. Bruno Fernandes
2. Sergio Ramos
Prediction:
Portugal will be the likeliest contender to win this game given the fact that they have much more depth in their squad than Spain. Spain has been very fluid in the midfield but the lack of striking power has been draining the team for a decade now.
