Portugal v Armenia preview
Portugal will try and clinch World Cup qualification with out the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo after they face Armenia on Sunday.
Ronaldo was despatched off as Portugal lost their penultimate qualifier 2-0 to Republic of Ireland.
Portugal’s document goalscorer noticed pink 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 crew that solely has three factors to their title throughout qualification.
“Unhappiness is a chance,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez mentioned.
“We’re taking part in in entrance of our followers towards a crew we respect, however they’re a crew towards whom we need to reveal our stage and safe qualification.
“Armenia are a crew that tries to play. They’re very clever and have inventive skill. Defensively, they’ve a strong again 5. They’re a really aggressive crew, which we respect loads. 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 – the whole crew is world-class,” Melikyan mentioned.
“We’re very blissful to have the chance to play towards such opponents. Will probably be an enormous expertise for us. How can we experiment towards Portugal? Allow them to experiment – we’ll benefit from that. We’ll use every little thing we now have.”
Portugal v Armenia crew information
Goncalo Ramos is more likely 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 superb moments with the nationwide crew,” Martinez mentioned of Ronaldo’s possible substitute.
“He’s the striker with the very best common minutes per objective in competitions. He’s a vital participant to have within the nationwide crew. I can’t discuss in regards to the beginning XI, however he’ll be vital.”
Armenia have been crushed by Hungary 1-0 on Thursday and Melikyan could carry on Artur Serobyan as a part of potential adjustments from that defeat.
Melikyan mentioned of his crew 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 towards drained defenders. It doesn’t imply they might’ve performed the identical method from the beginning. Earlier than they went on, I mentioned just a few phrases to encourage them – and it labored.”
He added of Serboyan: “He undoubtedly deserves to begin and should begin towards Portugal. He’s not inferior to anybody. The selection towards 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.
The way 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 reside protection within the UK on Amazon Prime PPV, which expenses £2.49 for the sport.
Portugal v Armenia stats
Even with out Ronaldo, Portugal have greater than sufficient high quality to get the job achieved and e book their place within the finals.
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