MX23RW : Monday, March 27 06:16:15| >> :600:163270:163270:
[monks data]
Mar 23, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
Portugal
4 - 0
Liechtenstein
Cancelo (8'), Silva (47'), Ronaldo (51' pen., 63')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Portugal vs. Liechtenstein - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Euro Champ Qualifying clash between Portugal and Liechtenstein, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Portugal and Liechtenstein begin their Euro 2024 qualification campaigns when they meet in Lisbon on Thursday.

Both nations are under new management, looking to improve on respective disappointments in recent months.


Match preview

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on November 23, 2022© Reuters

For the first time in nine years, Portugal will take to the field not managed by Fernando Santos, after their Euro 2016-winning manager left his role following an underwhelming performance in the World Cup.

A quarter-final defeat to Morocco was a markup on last-16 exits at Russia 2018 and Euro 2020, but ultimately was seen as yet another failure with such a talented group of players.

Roberto Martinez has come in to replace Santos after also leaving his role as Belgium boss in the aftermath of a group stage exit in Qatar, in an appointment that has raised some eyebrows.

Martinez largely struggled to get the best out of a Belgium squad stacked full of world-class players, and there is a fear that with a similar abundance of quality at his disposal in the Portugal squad, they may underperform again.

New Portugal coach Roberto Martinez poses with a shirt during the presentation on January 9, 2023© Reuters

After losing four of their last nine games under Santos, and struggling through World Cup qualifying, there will need to be an evident improvement quickly under Martinez, as the Spaniard will not have any goodwill stored up to fall back on like Santos did for winning the Euros in 2016.

This should be a straightforward encounter for them to navigate first up though, facing the bottom seeds and arguably the most out-of-form team in European international football.

Liechtenstein were the worst performing side in the last edition of the UEFA Nations League, finishing bottom with zero points in League D.

Defeats home and away to Andorra, Latvia and Moldova also saw them score just one goal, as they had a worse record than San Marino in League D's other group.

Recent results also include a defeat to Gibraltar, a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Cape Verde, and a 9-0 loss to Germany, the last time they faced a side in the world's top 50.

Moldova's Vadim Bolohan in action with Liechtenstein's Andrin Netzer and Niklas Beck on September 25, 2022© Reuters

Liechtenstein are now ranked 198th in the world, their lowest ever position in the rankings, having gone 13 games without a win, losing 11.

Martin Stocklasa left to join FC Vaduz at the start of the month, so Rene Pauritsch has come in as caretaker manager for this international window following five years at the helm between 2013 and 2018.

Pauritsch has a huge job on his hands though to improve upon records such as scoring just four goals in their last 20 European qualifiers.

Their record against Portugal is an even more sobering sight, as they have conceded 35 goals in seven meetings, including two 8-0 defeats away from home.

Portugal form (all competitions):


Liechtenstein form (all competitions):



Team News

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match on December 6, 2022© Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in the Portugal squad despite his move to Al Nassr at the start of the year.

With a record 118 international goals already to his name, Ronaldo will hope to be on the pitch here to add to that tally.

Pepe was initially named in the squad, but the Porto defender has since been ruled out with the injury which saw him miss his club side's Champions League second leg with Inter Milan last week.

Overall, there are very few changes to the squad which was taken to the World Cup, despite the change in manager.

Six of the Liechtenstein squad play at FC Vaduz, who enjoyed Europa Conference League football earlier in the season.

With the club near the bottom of the Swiss second tier though, that is a low number compared to their recent dominance of the squad.

Noah Frick, son of all-time top scorer Mario Frick, is in the squad, but his brother and teammate Yanik Frick has been left out.

Captain Nicolas Hasler is the all-time active appearance holder and goalscorer, but his offensive capabilities are unlikely to be called upon much in this one.

Portugal possible starting lineup:
Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Danilo, Antonio Silva, Guerreiro; Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Fernandes; Joao Felix, Ronaldo, Rafael Leao

Liechtenstein possible starting lineup:
Buchel; Yildiz, S Wolfinger, M Wolfinger, Hofer, Traber; Hasler, Sele, Luchinger, Weiser; Frick


SM words green background

We say: Portugal 7-0 Liechtenstein

In a clash between top and bottom seeds in Group J, this appears to be a complete mismatch on paper.

Liechtenstein will just try to keep the score down in a fixture which will almost certainly have one winner.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Draw:data

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Game History

How you voted: Portugal vs Liechtenstein

Portugal
86.6%
Draw
7.1%
Liechtenstein
6.3%
239
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