LISBON, June 19
(SW) – Hosts Portugal have to earn all three points against
Spain on Sunday if they want to advance from Group A of Euro
2004.
Portugal have never beaten their Iberian neighbors in a
competitive match, but Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team will have no
choice but to change that record against Iñaki Sáez and Spain.
It does not seem fathomable that both Spain and Portugal will go
through, unless Greece massively slips up against eliminated
Russia. Spain need just a point to go through to next round
along with the Greeks, who have already beaten Portugal and
drawn with Spain.
Scolari will likely make no changes from his squad that defeated
Russia 2-0 on Wednesday, leaving a back four comprised of Miguel,
Jorge Andrade, Ricardo Carvalho, and Nuno Valente, the latter
two from European champions FC Porto.
Again, Scolari will rely on Deco and Simão to set up the lone
striker Pauleta with Luís Figo and Maniche, along with Costinha,
covering the midfield.
On the side of the Spaniards, Fernando Morientes and Raúl
cemented their status in the starting XI with a good showing
against Greece, Morientes scoring Spain’s solitary goal. It had
been rumoured both Juan Carlos Valerón and Fernando Torres would
start in their place, but Sáez stayed with his veterans and got
a point.
One player missing from tomorrow’s game will be Joseba
Etxeberria, out with a strained muscle. Real Betis midfielder
Joaquín is likely start in place of the injured Etxeberria, who
plays for Athletic Bilbao.
Due to the suspension of Carlos Marchena, Barcelona talent
Juanito could get the start at centre-back for Sáez and Carles
Puyol has shaken off a sore knee and appears set to play on
Sunday in Lisbon.
Expected line-ups:
Spain: Casillas, Puyol, Helguera, Juanito, Bravo, Albelda,
Joaquín, Baraja, Vicente, Raúl, Morientes.
Portugal: Ricardo, Miguel, Jorge Andrade, Ricardo
Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Figo, Costinha, Maniche, Deco, Simão,
Pauleta.
Most participants of our Predictions tournament predicted a
score of: Spain 1-1 Portugal. |
