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Portugal vs Switzerland: World Cup 2022 score prediction, team news, possible Lineup.
Group H champions Portugal will face Switzerland in the World Cup’s final round of 16 games at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday evening. When they face off, they are both looking to break incredible World Cup records.
A crucial spot in the quarterfinals is at stake as two teams who had quite different results in their final group matches square off in one of only two all-European matches in a diversified last 16.
Portugal had a strong start to their campaign for Qatar 2022, meaning that they only needed one point in the last round of group games to guarantee themselves the top spot and automatic entry into the knockout stages.
Fernando Santos led Portugal to the group stage of a major tournament four times in a row despite losing to South Korea in injury time. With a tense 3-2 victory over Serbia, Murat Yakin, who is managing his first international competition, managed Switzerland’s advancement to second place in Group G behind Brazil.
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Team News:
The last time Portugal played, Fernando Santos took advantage of the opportunity to make six changes to his starting lineup, but the renownedly conservative coach is expected to stick to his guns on Tuesday night.
Only given his first Benfica start in August, 19-year-old defender Antonio Silva was handed his competitive debut against South Korea alongside veteran campaigner Pepe – a man 20 years his senior.
The youngest Portuguese player to feature at the World Cup may make way, though, as Ruben Dias returns to the back four; Diogo Dalot made a big impression on his first World Cup start so could be retained.
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Cristiano Ronaldo, the Selecao’s all-time leading scorer, starts up front once more after being one of three players replaced after 65 minutes on Friday. Andre Silva and another Benfica youngster, Goncalo Ramos, are relegated to the bench.
Due to an injury, Nuno Mendes was forced to withdraw from the rest of the competition last week. Danilo is still out with rib fractures, while Otavio is still questionable.
Yann Sommer, who missed Switzerland’s final Group G encounter due to sickness, will be looking to make a comeback to strengthen their defence at Lusail Stadium. If Sommer were still available, he would replace Gregor Kobel of Borussia Dortmund with his 30 shutouts and several clutches save throughout his 76 caps for the Nati.
Murat Yakin’s team has a good chance of remaining largely unchanged because Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler shield a disciplined defence in midfield, while Breel Embolo starts in front.
While Renato Steffen and Christian Fassnacht all give alternatives on either wing, Ruben Vargas and Xherdan Shaqiri provide support from wide.
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Possible Lineup:
Portugal’s possible starting lineup:
Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Cancelo; B. Silva, Neves, Carvalho; Fernandes; Felix, Ronaldo
Switzerland’s possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Widmer, Akanji, Schar, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas; Embolo
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Score Prediction:
Prediction: Portugal 2-1 Switzerland