Portugal lineup vs North Macedonia - World Cup qualifying

Fernando Santos is looking to guide Portugal to another tournament
Fernando Santos is looking to guide Portugal to another tournament / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

Portugal will book their place at the 2022 World Cup by beating North Macedonia on Tuesday.

Fernando Santos' side confidently dispatched on Turkey on Thursday night to put themselves one win away from securing passage to Qatar, and they go into the match as heavy favourites.

North Macedonia are dangerous though, frustrating Italy before grabbing a shock winner against the European champions.

Here is the starting XI Portugal seem most likely to field...


1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Diogo Costa
Competition is fierce for the goalkeeping jersey / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Diogo Costa (GK) - Costa got the nod over Rui Patricio and Jose Sa against Turkey and there was nothing in his display that warrants him losing his spot.

Joao Cancelo (RB) -
Cancelo is back from suspension and will take the place of Man Utd's Diogo Dalot.

Jose Fonte (CB) -
Still starting for his country as he edges closer to 40. Not the quickest but reads the game so well.

Danilo Pereira (CB) -
Ruben Dias is injured and although Pepe is back in training, Danilo Pereira should continue as a makeshift centre-back.

Raphael Guerreiro (LB) -
The energetic Borussia Dortmund man should earn his 55th cap for Portugal here.

2. Midfielders

Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has had a disappointing season / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Joao Moutinho (CM) - Ruben Neves' injury means his club-mate will start here.

Otavio (AM) -
Netting against Turkey should be enough to see him keep his place over Joao Felix.

Bruno Fernandes (AM) -
Has not always shown his best for Portugal. Will be hoping some better displays can reignite his Man Utd form too.

Bernardo Silva (AM) -
One of the first names on the team sheet for Santos. Such a tidy footballer.

3. Forwards

Diogo Jota
Jota will be hoping to score again / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) - Can he produce some more magic and send his nation to another World Cup?

Diogo Jota (ST) -
In better form than Ronaldo this season. His inclusion is a must after he netted the second against Turkey.



For more from Matt O’Connor-Simpson, follow him on Twitter