Preview: Luxembourg vs. Portugal – prediction, team news

In order to maintain the momentum of his shocking victory over the Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg prepare for battle against Portugal in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying fight in Group A.

While the hosts started the road to Qatar perfectly last time out, Portugal lost two points in a controversial 2-2 draw with Serbia on Saturday night.

Match preview

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One of the most humiliating nights in Irish football history culminated in the Luxembourg striker Gerson Rodrigues whipping home an unstoppable blow in the 85th minute at Aviva Stadium, as Stephen KennyThe agonizing wait for victory continued and scenes of unbridled delirium continued for Luxembourg.

Luc holtzThe team had suffered a 1-0 friendly loss to Qatar just three days earlier, so they weren’t expected to contest a point let alone all three in Dublin, but the Red Lions showed a true show of character to take the spoils. and wins only his seventh match in World Cup Qualification since 1934.

However, Luxembourg is not expected to maintain a charge in the top two in the coming months, and a win is their best record in a qualifying campaign, which they also achieved during their failed attempts to reach the final three tournaments, so that a second triumph in the group would this time constitute a respectable finale.

Holtz’s team moved up to third place in the group with a perfect start to proceedings, one point behind Serbia and Portugal with one game in hand, but they have lost five of their last seven at home and their midweek visitors. they will be excited after a miserable night against Serbia last time.

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There was no air of controversy surrounding Diogo Jotatwo headings well taken or the responses of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Filip Kostic, but a dramatic conclusion to Portugal’s battle with Serbia eventually led to Cristiano Ronaldo ripping off the captain’s armband and running down the tunnel when the final whistle blew on Saturday.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner thought he had won it for his team in the last embers of the match, but Stefan mitrovic somehow managed to clear his effort from the line before stopping Bernardo silvafollow-up, although Ronaldo was outraged at the linesman because he felt the ball had crossed the line.

However, with no goal-line technology available to confirm or overturn the decision, Serbia held on to a well-deserved point as Ronaldo was booked for his problems, with Fernando SantosThe men got off to a disappointing start to qualifying after beating Azerbaijan on matchday one.

The reigning European and Nations League champions are still behind Serbia in goals scored after that throbbing draw, but a trip to Luxembourg represents the perfect opportunity for Portugal to stamp its authority on the group before their world-renowned stars return to your respective clubs. He has only lost one of his last 11 road starts.

Furthermore, Portugal have triumphed in their last 10 meetings with Luxembourg, scoring 34 goals and conceding just one in that time, and the hosts’ only victory in this match came during qualification for the 1962 World Cup, as they triumphed 4-2 in October 1961.

Luxembourg World Cup Qualification – Europe Shape:

Luxembourg form (all competitions):

Portugal World Cup Qualification – Europe Form:

Portugal form (all competitions):

Team news

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Luxembourg has no need to fix the unbroken, and it would be tough for Holtz to leave any member of the team that was a starter and star at the Aviva Stadium over the weekend.

Experienced defender Lars Gerson Therefore, it can be limited to one appearance from the bench, unless the host coach opts for a five on the back to quell Portugal’s rampant attack.

Siblings Vincent Thill and Olivier Thill seems ready to occupy the engine room once more, but the eldest of the family … Sebastien thill – was an unused substitute against Ireland and is unlikely to make his way into the lineup here.

In a blow for Portugal but a boost for Manchester United, Bruno fernandes picked up his second tournament warning against Serbia and is suspended for the trip to Luxembourg, so Ruben neves must complete.

However, Neves’ teammate at Wolverhampton Wanderers Joao moutinho you weren’t involved at all last time and may be forced to lose this one too, which could give Renato sanches the opportunity to impress the manager.

Santos will certainly be re-shuffling the package given the hectic schedule and disappointing result last time out, so Nuno mendes, Sundays Duarte and Joao Felix they are all in dispute to begin with.

Possible starting lineup for Luxembourg:
You die; Martins, Mahmutovic, Chanot, Jans; Martins Pereira; Rodrigues, Barreiro, O. Thill, V. Thill; Sinani

Possible Portugal lineup:
Lopes; Cedric, Duarte, Dias, Mendes; Pereira, Sanches, Neves; Jota, Ronaldo, Felix

We say: Luxembourg 0-3 Portugal

Portugal have been flattered to cheat a bit during their first two games, but Ronaldo and company will be more determined than ever to respond to their latest setback this week. The hosts have a lot of respect after beating the Irish on their own turf, but Santos’ team should have too much quality for the Red Lions, and we can only imagine a comfortable victory for Portugal here.