Spain eye win against Portugal in FIFA World Cup Group B
Kick-off : 9:00 PM (Local)
Venue : Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi
Spain the 2010 world champions will aim to kick start their 2018 world cup campaign with a win when they take on neighbours Portugal on Friday. Spain are one of the favorites to lift the title.
After a disappointing 2014 world cup La Roja will be eager for success this time around and have a wonderful set of players to do the job in Russia. Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal are a tough team to beat but Spain certainly are a step ahead.
On the other hand, Portugal have always been underachievers and winning a FIFA World Cup is what they crave for. But to do it will take a humongous task but they certainly are capable.
As of now they need to focus on the group stages and to get out of it which contains Morocco and Iran as well. The game against Spain is crucial as it might decide the group winners.
Team news and possible line-ups
Cristiano Ronaldo will captain Portugal on Friday against Spain. While Pepe, William Carvalho and Joao Moutinho are all available and will likely play.
As for Spain, Sergio Ramos will captain them. Whereas Isco and Diego Costa are both available and likely play.
Portugal XI : Patricio, Soares, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro, Moutinho, Carvalho, B. Silva, Mario, Ronaldo, A. Silva.
Spain XI : De Gea, Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Busquets, Alcantara, D. Silva, Isco, Iniesta, D. Costa.
Prediction
I expect this game to end up in a draw. It might end 2-2. The goalscorers might be Carvalho, Ronaldo, Isco and Diego Costa.
