Portugal host Denmark in Braga on Saturday in the fifth round of the UEFA Nations League, with the teams occupying the top two positions in Group A4.
The match will be Portugal’s first official fixture since the end of the Cristiano Ronaldo era. Denmark, meanwhile, are seeking a positive result to strengthen their hold on second place in the table.
Portugal
Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has been left with a weakened squad during this international break. Joao Cancelo and Francisco Conceicao are suspended, while Tomas Araujo, Nuno Tavares and Rafael Leao have all withdrawn from the squad because of injuries.
The expected Portugal starting XI is:
Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nazinho
Midfielders: Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Palhinha
Forwards: Bernardo Silva, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix
Portugal will look to maintain their position at the top of the group, but will have to do so without several players who would normally feature prominently in their plans.
Denmark
Denmark will also be without Andreas Christensen, who was not selected after only recently returning to competitive action with his club.
Kasper Dolberg and Anton Gaaei have been omitted for a similar reason, with both players left out to continue building up their fitness.
The expected Denmark starting XI is:
Goalkeeper: Mads Hermansen
Defenders: Rasmus Nissen Kristensen, Joachim Andersen, Oliver Provstgaard, Joakim Maehle
Midfielders: Morten Hjulmand, Mikkel Damsgaard, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
Forwards: Mads Bidstrup, Rasmus Højlund, Mohamed Daramy
The Group A4 meeting is the fifth-round fixture in this edition of the UEFA Nations League, with Denmark aiming to secure a result that would help preserve their current standing behind Portugal.
The match odds listed by 1xbet are 1.50 for a Portugal victory, 4.75 for a draw and 5.75 for a Denmark win.
