Serbia travel to Lisbon to face hosts Portugal in a nail-biting clash to gain automatic qualification to the World Cup being hosted by Qatar in 2022. Both of the nations are leveled on the same points with Portugal leading the way in Group A. A draw will ensure Selecao's path to the group stage while Serbia have to take all three points to avoid playoffs in March.
POR vs SER Match Details :
When: Sunday, 14 November/ Monday, 15 November
Timings: 08:45 (CET)/ 01:15 (IST)
Where: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
POR vs SER Match Preview :
Portugal felt hard done by after playing out a stalemate with Ireland on Thursday after creating several chances to score. There was no late show from Cristiano Ronaldo to rescue the evening putting them into a straight do or die clash with Serbia. Interestingly, the Irish have snatched points from both these powerhouses to lead them to this outcome with their chances for qualification tarnished on the back of some poor displays. However, Fernando Santos's men still have conditions in their favor as avoiding defeat in the ultimate game will book their tickets to Qatar. Both Portugal and Serbia haven't lost a single game in the qualifiers with seven wins and two draws between them and against Ireland. The duo have also scored the same number of goals but the 2016 Euro champs had let in fewer goals than the Eagles. Conclusively, Portugal and Serbia have put off their other opponents in the group without much of a hustle.
While Portugal are undefeated in World Cup qualification since 2016 and are on the back of a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Serbia's equal streak of being undefeated heats up this fixture. Dragan Stojikovic's side missed out on the Euros this summer through a playoff defeat to Scotland so they will be reluctant to choose the same way to arrive at Qatar for consecutive World Cup participation. They are hopeful to defeat Portugal for the first time in their history but the task won't be easier as only a win will guarantee them automatic qualification. On the pitch, spectators will have the treat of watching some class talents and old veterans being the talisman for their respective nation. In all, it is an unmissable fixture.
Recent Form (including friendlies)
Portugal: DWWWW
Serbia: WWWDW
POR vs SER Team News :
Fernando Santos will finally have Bernardo Silva's service for the qualifiers showdown after the Man City star missed out on the draw against Ireland due to a muscular issue. He will get into the starting lineup replacing Matheus Luiz. But the Selecao are set to miss Pepe in the defense after he was sent off for a second bookable offense in the last match. Jose Fonte of Lille is likely to partner Ruben Dias in the back four with Danilo Perreira another candidate for the role. Nuno Mendes is pushing for a start over Diego Dalot for the left-back spot. Joao Cancelo, Diego Jota and Joao Mourinho are all tipped to start the game that will decide their World Cup qualification faith.
As for Serbia, they will make a host of changes from their friendly win over Qatar on Thursday. Nikola Milenkovic most certainly will get his starting spot in the back three over Uros Spajic while Milinkovic-Savic and Nemanja Gudelj will regain their spot in midfield after making substitute appearances for the previous game. Dusan Tadic and Filip Kostic are also waiting for their turn to begin the game while Alexander Mitrovic is set to partner free-scoring Dusan Vlahovic upfront after shaking off a knock. Luka Jovic will return to the bench. Matija Nastastic, Marko Petkovic, Filip Djuricic, and Darko Lazovic have been ruled out from the fixture but Serbia have no new injury concerns to think about.
POR vs SER Predicted Lineups :
Portugal: Rui Patricio; Joao Cancelo, Jose Fonte, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes, Palhinha, Joao Moutinho, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Jota
Serbia: Rajkovic; Nikola Milenkovic, Stefan Mitrovic, Strahinja Pavlovic, Nemanja Radonjic, Milinkovic-Savic, Nemanja Gudelj, Filip Kostic, Dusan Tadic, Aleksander Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic
POR vs SER Head to Head :
Portugal haven't tasted defeat against Serbia in the last seven outings so far. Keeping aside the last meeting between them that ended 2-2 with a late-minute goal controversially ruled out despite crossing the line, all of these clashes were played in qualifiers for the European Championship. The match before this was a winners takes all game like the clash on Sunday for this year's Euro qualification where Portugal emerged 4-2 victorious in 2019.
POR vs SER Dream11 Team Predictions:
GK: Patricio (POR)
DEF: Cancelo (POR), Milenkovic (SER), Dias (POR), Dalot (POR)
MID: B. Silva (POR), Milinkovic-Savic (SER), Mourinho (POR), Tadic (SER)
FW: Vlahovic (SER), C. Ronaldo (POR)
Match Prediction: Portugal 1-1 Serbia
Either of the sides will try their best not to fail to achieve their objective of the game. Portugal with their defensive resoluteness is expected to neutralize Serbia's potent attack and that will seal them a spot in the finals leading the Serbian to compete in another playoff of a major competition. It will be an exciting encounter to witness nevertheless as proven by the recent drama between these nations.
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