A crucial Group I match takes place on Sunday as Serbia visit Portugal knowing that only a win would put them back in the qualifying race. On the other hand Portugal know that winning this match would put them in a great position to clinch a top-two spot at the end of the campaign. Portugal have six points from three games and are in second place behind Denmark, but if they win against Serbia they would leave them eight points behind.
Serbia were deducted three points after the incidents during the match against Albania, a decision which left them with just one point after three games. Portugal have recorded a prestigious 1-0 win over Argentina in their last match. Compared to that meeting coach Fernando Santos is due to make some changes, most notably Rui Patricio back between the sticks and Fabio Coentrao and William Carvalho back in the starting eleven.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to score his 53rd goal for his country. Serbia head coach Radovan Curcic will probably field Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov and Filip Duricic after both missed out on the friendly in Greece in November.
Probable line-ups:
Portugal: Rui Patricio - Pepe, Bruno Alves, Jose Bosingwa, Coentrao - Tiago, Nani, Danny, Joao Moutinho, William Carvalho - Cristiano Ronaldo
Serbia: Stojkovic - Tosic, Ivanovic, Tomovic, Kolarov - Matic, Tosic, Petrovic, Duricic - Markovic, Mitrovic
My prediction: 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Portugal win - 3/5 Draw - 29/10 Serbia win - 6/1
Shumar4life 8 years ago
Both teams doesn't played very well on this match, but Portugal was little bit better then Serbia. They created two chances and scored two goals, while Serbia has two chances and one great goal for Matic. Serbia is awful in this qualifications, and they will need to be much better if they want to secure 3. place in the...
Both teams doesn't played very well on this match, but Portugal was little bit better then Serbia. They created two chances and scored two goals, while Serbia has two chances and one great goal for Matic. Serbia is awful in this qualifications, and they will need to be much better if they want to secure 3. place in the group
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Johnajax 8 years ago
I predicted correct score and I was right but I didn't predict scorer but that is not important. Portugal plays poor and maybe they didn't deserve win here but to be honest Serbia didn't deserve neither. Fair result will be draw. I am thrilled by Matic, What a player... and this is outstanding goal and I think that he is...
I predicted correct score and I was right but I didn't predict scorer but that is not important. Portugal plays poor and maybe they didn't deserve win here but to be honest Serbia didn't deserve neither. Fair result will be draw. I am thrilled by Matic, What a player... and this is outstanding goal and I think that he is very very good player, one of the best on his position. I think that both teams have chances to qualify for euro but I think that Serbia is far far away from that goal after this loss.
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mdacic 8 years ago
I watched this game last night and I am very disappointed by Serbia. Portugal wasn't much better and they didn't deserve win but neither do we. We concede first goal after mistake by Basta, than when Matic scored that great goal we didn't success to defend even five minutes. We concede another goal within 2 or 3 minutes...
I watched this game last night and I am very disappointed by Serbia. Portugal wasn't much better and they didn't deserve win but neither do we. We concede first goal after mistake by Basta, than when Matic scored that great goal we didn't success to defend even five minutes. We concede another goal within 2 or 3 minutes and that was the end. We were poor but we didn't deserve to lose.
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
Very poor game we watched tonight. Portugal scored a quick goal after the cross, and after that they played how they were enough to take the three points. Serbia showed a desperate game, they were not interested, away from the opponent, did not have the necessary aggressiveness. The only bright spot was Matic who scored...
Very poor game we watched tonight. Portugal scored a quick goal after the cross, and after that they played how they were enough to take the three points. Serbia showed a desperate game, they were not interested, away from the opponent, did not have the necessary aggressiveness. The only bright spot was Matic who scored a spectacular goal. After all, the well-deserved victory for Portugal.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
This is derby of this group and we will see great match that is sure. This is very important match for both teams but I think that Serbia more need this win special after today result where Albania win over Armenia 2-1. But Portugal have the best player on the world in their squad and my prediction is 2-1 for Portugal and...
This is derby of this group and we will see great match that is sure. This is very important match for both teams but I think that Serbia more need this win special after today result where Albania win over Armenia 2-1. But Portugal have the best player on the world in their squad and my prediction is 2-1 for Portugal and Ronaldo to score.
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zuga 8 years ago
my prediction is 1-2 for Serbia
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sharpe 8 years ago
Portugal is not one of my favourite teams and hopefully the Serbs can do some damage to them. Of course the home side is the big favourites in the game and in much better position in the group to qualify but I think that the surprise is not impossible in this game.
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seculla 8 years ago
This match will be very interesting. Neither Portugal or Serbia started this qualifications for EURO 2016 like they wanted to, and now they both need to start winning if they want to assure place for Euro Cup in France next year. I think that this match will be tough for both sides, but maybe Portugal is a slight favorite...
This match will be very interesting. Neither Portugal or Serbia started this qualifications for EURO 2016 like they wanted to, and now they both need to start winning if they want to assure place for Euro Cup in France next year. I think that this match will be tough for both sides, but maybe Portugal is a slight favorite for winning tonight because they play at home. Anyway, I expect to see at least two goals tonight and maybe both sides will score.
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