Portugal vs Spain is the biggest European match in the football heritage. In the ongoing UEFA Nations League, Portugal will host the final game of the group stage fixture against European giants La Furia Roja.
The fixture will be played on 28 September 2022 on the home soil of Portgual-Estádio Municipal de Braga.
Portugal vs Spain: Head to Head
Since 2012, Portugal and Spain have played five times against each other, where Portugal has lost 1 match and drew four times in the other four encounters.
Both teams have scored an equal amount of goals against each other i.e. four.
This will be the last match to prepare for both teams’ upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Portugal is two points clear at the table in the ongoing Nations League, whereas Spain is trailing behind them. To qualify for the UEFA Nations League’s knockout stage, Spain must win this clash against this Portuguese side, whereas a draw is enough for Portugal.
Portugal vs Spain: Team News
Portugal
In their previous match against the Czech Republic, Cristiano Ronaldo got a big blow in his nose. Despite the injury, Cristiano is likely to start the game.
Man City defender Joao Cancelo was suspended and missed the previous clash but is likely to make his comeback to his left-back position in the team.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Patricio (Roma).
Defenders: Danilo Pereira (PSG), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Manchester United), Tiago Djalo (Lille), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund).
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Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Ruben Neves (Wolves), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Wolves), Vitinha (PSG), William Carvalho (Real Betis).
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Pedro Neto (Wolves), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Rafa Silva (Benfica), Ricardo Horta (Braga), Rafael Leao (AC Milan).
Spain
Despite the brilliant start to the season by the PSG star defender Sergio Ramos, he has been left out of the Spain side for the second consecutive time.
Dani Carvajal is set to make a return to his right-back position after missing the clash against Switzerland.
Furthermore, Alvaro Morata may come in for the center-forward role of Marco Asensio after his horrible performance display against Switzerland.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sánchez (Brighton), David Raya (Brentford).
Defenders: Pau Torres (Villarreal), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), José Gayà (Valencia), Hugo Guillamón (Valencia), Diego Llorente (Leeds), Eric García (Barcelona), César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri Hernández (Manchester City), Pedri González (Barcelona), Koke Resurrección (Atlético Madrid), Gavi Páez (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid).
Forwards: Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Álvaro Morata (Atlético Madrid), Borja Iglesias (Real Betis), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Ferran Torres (Barcelona).
Portugal vs Spain: Last 5 Match Analysis
| Last five match performance | Portugal | Spain |
| Possessions | 54.4% | 71.6% |
| Goals scored | 11 | 7 |
| Goals Conceded | 2 | 5 |
| Pass Accuracy | 85.6% | 88.6% |
| Fouls per Game | 10.4 | 15.6 |
| Shots | 14.4 | 9.6 |
| Shots received | 8.2 | 6.4 |
| Goals per Game | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Goals Conceded per Game | 0.4 | 1 |
Portugal vs Spain: Players to Watch out
Cristiano Ronaldo
This season Ronaldo hasn’t managed to get on the score sheet after losing his starting position on Manchester United under Eric Ten Hag. He will be looking to score a goal in the coming match against Spain to cement his place in Machester United.
Pedri
The Spanish midfield maestro is the heart of the Spanish national team. Since the departure of Iniesta, Pedri has recreated the magic in the midfield and filled the vogue left by the Spanish legend.
He will be the player to watch out for in this big clash to qualify for the knockout stage of the Nations League.
Portugal vs Spain: Predicted Starting XI
Portugal XI (4-3-3): Rui Patricio, Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Danilo Pereira, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao
Spain XI (3-4-3): Unai Simon, Jordi Alba, Pau Torres, Eric Garcia, Dani Carvajal, Pedri, Gavi, Sergio, Pablo Sarabia, Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata
Portugal vs Spain: Match Prediction
Spain has been playing a dominant game but couldn’t finish their created chances. Pedri and Gavi’s midfield dominance will be vital for the team, and we expect to do the same this week.
On the other hand, Portugal has a great squad at their disposal. The clutch player Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t score a goal in the previous match and will be looking forward to ending his goal doubt.
Both teams have an equal chance to qualify for the knockout stage of the UEFA Nations League.
Prediction: Portugal 2-1 Spain
Portugal vs Spain: Match Broadcasting
Portugal vs Spain will kick off at 7:45 PM (UK Time)
UK: Channel 4 Sport, BBC Radio 5, Premier Sports 1
USA: FuboTV, ViX
Portugal: RTP/Sports TV
Spain: Fubo Sports Network
India/Nepal: Sony Ten 2, SonyLIV
