UEFA Nations League 2022/23 – Spain vs Portugal, match preview, predicted lineups
Spain the one-time World Cup winners take on Portugal in the UEF Nations League opener for both teams as the tournament moves ahead. Both teams will be looking for a win here.
Kick-off : 8:45 PM (Local)
Venue : Benito Villamarin, Seville
Spain have already qualified for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year and now their main focus will be to win the Nations League. They are in League A Group 2 alongside Portugal, Switzerland and Czech Republic.
La Roja has four fixtures lined up for them in June with two games against the Czech side and one-one games against both Portugal and Switzerland.
Manager Luis Enrique will likely deploy a 4-3-3 system against the Portuguese with focus on possession and solid defence apart from goal-scoring.
On the other hand, Portugal too have made it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals where they are placed in Group H alongside Ghana, Uruguay & South Korea. They though now will look to win the Nations League.
The A Selecao last played a fixture in March, a World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia which they won 2-0. Bruno Fernandes was the hero for them.
Fernando Santos’ side will likely deploy a 4-3-3 formation with emphasis on stopping goals and obviously agile in front of the goal.
Team news and possible lineups
Aymeric Laporte and Pedri are both injured for Spain ahead of the Portugal game and hence will be unavailable.
As for Portugal, Ruben Dias is injured and hence will be unavailable. While Otavio is available and will likely play.
Spain XI : Simon, Azpilicueta, E. Garcia, P. Torres, Alba, Thiago, Busquets, Koke, Gavi, Morata, F. Torres.
Portugal XI : Patricio, Cancelo, Pepe, Danilo, Guerreiro, Fernandes, Moutinho, Bernardo, Otavio, Ronaldo, Jota.
Prediction
I expect both teams to play a fascinating contest and it might end a 1-1 draw.
