Portugal v Armenia preview
Portugal will try and clinch World Cup qualification with out the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo once they face Armenia on Sunday.
Ronaldo was despatched off as Portugal lost their penultimate qualifier 2-0 to Republic of Ireland.
Portugal’s report goalscorer noticed crimson for elbowing Dara O’Shea as they crumbled to a shock defeat in Dublin.
However Portugal have a two-point lead over Hungary, who face Eire, in Group F and can be certain of a spot within the finals in North America by seeing off a staff that solely has three factors to their title throughout qualification.
“Disappointment is a chance,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez mentioned.
“We’re taking part in in entrance of our followers in opposition to a staff we respect, however they’re a staff in opposition to whom we wish to reveal our degree and safe qualification.
“Armenia are a staff that tries to play. They’re very clever and have inventive potential. Defensively, they’ve a stable again 5. They’re a really aggressive staff, which we respect lots. I actually just like the coach’s work.”
For his or her half, Armenia boss Yeghishe Melikyan doesn’t consider the absence of Ronaldo makes the problem they face in Porto any simpler.
“Portugal aren’t simply Ronaldo – your entire staff is world-class,” Melikyan mentioned.
“We’re very completely happy to have the chance to play in opposition to such opponents. It is going to be an enormous expertise for us. How can we experiment in opposition to Portugal? Allow them to experiment – we’ll reap the benefits of that. We are going to use every little thing now we have.”
Portugal v Armenia staff information
Goncalo Ramos is prone to lead the road for Portugal in Ronaldo’s absence.
“We prefer to work with two per place. Goncalo [Ramos] is a pure striker. He’s already had some excellent moments with the nationwide staff,” Martinez mentioned of Ronaldo’s possible substitute.
“He’s the striker with the very best common minutes per objective in competitions. He’s an important participant to have within the nationwide staff. I can’t speak concerning the beginning XI, however he’ll be vital.”
Armenia had been overwhelmed by Hungary 1-0 on Thursday and Melikyan might convey on Artur Serobyan as a part of potential modifications from that defeat.
Melikyan mentioned of his staff choice in that loss: “I don’t suppose we made a mistake with the line-up, however the substitutes improved our play. That’s what substitutions are for: a contemporary participant developing in opposition to drained defenders. It doesn’t imply they might’ve performed the identical manner from the beginning. Earlier than they went on, I mentioned just a few phrases to inspire them – and it labored.”
He added of Serboyan: “He undoubtedly deserves to start out and should begin in opposition to Portugal. He isn’t inferior to anybody. The selection in opposition to Hungary was extra tactical – we wanted Artur on the bench to strengthen the sport later.”
Portugal v Armenia predicted lineups
Portugal beginning XI: D. Costa; N Semedo, Inacio, Dias, Dalot; J. Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo, G. Ramos, Leao
Armenia beginning XI: Avagyan; Piloyan, Muradyan, Mkrtchyan, Tiknizyan; Hovhannisyan, Muradyan, Spertsyan; Sevikyan, Ranos, Shaghoyan.
Easy methods to watch Portugal v Armenia: Stay stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Sunday is at 14:00 BST (09:00 ET / 06:00 PT), with dwell protection within the UK on Amazon Prime PPV, which costs £2.49 for the sport.
Portugal v Armenia stats
Even with out Ronaldo, Portugal have greater than sufficient high quality to get the job executed and e book their place within the finals.
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