Luxembourg vs Portugal
EURO Qualification
Date: Sunday, 17 November 2019
Kick-off at 14:00 UK / 15:00 CET
Venue: Stade Josy Barthel (Luxembourg).
LUXEMBOURG
Luxembourg 3-2 reverse in Serbia, Thursday was their sixth straight loss, including friendship, and they have won just one of their last 10 European qualification.
Midfielder Leandro Barreiro is available again after suspension and is likely to take the place of Tim Hall, with Lars Gerson moved back to defense.
Vincent Thill suspended after collecting his third heart campaign on Thursday so Dave Turpel, who has scored two goals in his last three appearances, could start in attack.
Predicted line-up (4-1-4-1): Moris; Jans, Chanot, Gerson, Carlson; Philipps; Deville, Barreiro, O. Thill, Rodrigues; Turpel
Not available: V. Thill (Suspended)
doubtful:
PORTUGAL
After thrashing Lithuania 6-0 on Thursday, Portugal only need one more win to ensure qualification, while the draw here would be enough for Serbia do not win their fixtures.
Goncalo Paciencia will be hoping to maintain his position in front of the club teammate Andre Silva after registering a goal and an assist in his competitive debut on Thursday.
Pepe was a late withdrawal from the squad that Jose Fonte Ruben Dias partnered in central defense, and coach Fernando Santos is unlikely to change much with qualification on the line.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Rui Patricio; Ricardo Pereira, Jose Fonte, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro; Ruben Neves, Bruno Fernandes; Pizzi, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo; Goncalo Paciencia
Not available: William Carvalho (Hurt), Nelson Semedo (Hurt), Andre Gomes (Hurt), Joao Felix (Hurt), Goncalo Guedes (injured), Pepe (Injured)
doubtful:
Statistical
Luxembourg has registered just one win in 13 meetings with the Portuguese national team (4 to 2 October 1961), losing each of the remaining 12.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 98 goals for Portugal in 163 matches, including 13 in the last seven. Only Iran Ali Daei had scored more international, with 109.
Portugal have lost just three of their last 37 games, winning 22. Seventeen of Portugal's last 22 goals have been scored in the second half.
Luxembourg is in the six-game streak, their worst sequence since a run of seven defeats in 2015-16. but they have scored in each of their previous four home games in 2019.
Host on four points, the final tally for the second of their two final qualifying their EURO campaign. One more goal would have equaled the best record in front of goal at the Luxembourg European Qualifying, re-mark set in 1964.
Predicted Portugal began XI (4-3-3):
Do Luxembourg qualifies as a lower level of opposition? I would like to see Santos stick with the same starting XI that steamrolled Lithuania, but do not be surprised if João Moutinho or Danilo Pereira came at the expense of Pizzi or Bruno Fernandes.
Rui Patricio - Ricardo Pereira, Ruben Dias, Jose Fonte, Mário Rui - Pizzi, Rúben Neves, Bruno Fernandes - Bernardo Silva, Gonçalo Paciencia, Cristiano Ronaldo.
