It follows one after the other UEFA Nations League wins last month, Portugal set the pace League A Group 1and they will endeavor to continue their visit in this spirit Poland on Saturday.

The Selecao used their talisman in both games in September Cristiano Ronaldo reached his final career milestone, leaving them three points ahead of the hosts before traveling to Warsaw.

Game preview

© Imago

Portugal secured maximum points in their first two Group 1 games, thanks to their longest-serving player against both Croatia and Scotland. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the second goal in a 2-1 win over the former before making an explosive cameo against Croatia against the latter.

Quickly overcoming the disappointment of being eliminated on penalties at the 2024 European Championship, Ronaldo’s 900th goal in senior football give Portugal control of Croatia; Three days later he jumped up from the bench and hit the woodwork twice before scoring the late winner against the Scots.

Questions remain about an over-reliance on his 39-year-old forward and head coach Roberto Martínez has staunchly defended a much-criticised selection policy and is expected to lead his team towards the 2026 World Cup.

Martinez is initially aiming to reach the top of a tournament the Selecao memorably won in 2019, having recently missed out on a place in the 2023 Nations League final by finishing second in their group to Spain.

A place in the top two is now enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals, allowing Portugal to secure their place in the knockout stages of this year’s edition by beating both Poland and Scotland away.

Dating back to 2006, they are unbeaten in six meetings with Saturday’s hosts – most notably taking four points from their Polish counterparts during the inaugural Nations League – so history will be on their side this weekend.

© Imago

Portugal are not the only Group 1 team in need of an aging goalscorer like Poland’s captain Robert Lewandowski scored his 84th international goal in a five-goal thriller in Scotland last month.

Despite blowing a two-goal lead at Hampden Park, the Eagles still took maximum points thanks to a last-minute penalty Nicola Zalewskiwhich resulted in a dramatic 3-2 win.

However, they were subsequently beaten 1-0 by Croatia in Osijek, leaving the pair only tied to themselves the ranking listthree points above Scotland.

Before a tame exit in the Euro 2024 group stage, Poland survived relegation in the previous Nations League and was head coach Michal Probierz is now tasked with keeping his country afloat at the top European level while simultaneously refreshing an outdated squad.

Of course the priority is the World Cup, but it will also be important to continue collecting points – an unprecedented advance to the Nations League knockout phase is still at stake.

On the other hand, third place in Group 1 would mean a relegation playoff; Fourth place results in automatic relegation to League B.

Form of the Polish Nations League:

Poland form (all competitions):

Portugal Nations League form:

Portugal form (all competitions):

Team news

© Imago

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has named some new faces for this month’s meeting, naming the Farense goalkeeper Ricardo Velho and midfielder from Mallorca Samu Costa in his 26-man squad.

After scoring an excellent solo goal against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, Juventus was a winger Francisco Conceicao is recalled after missing September games due to injury; However, Sporting Lisbon pair Geovany Quenda And Pedro Goncalves are both offside.

Since Martinez is neither tactically nor personally predictable, he could opt for a 4-3-3 formation on Saturday, with Ronaldo flanked Rafael Leao and one of several other attack options.

The midfielder from Legia Warsaw is also one of Poland’s new signings Maxi Oyedele and winger Rakow Czestochowa Michael Ameyawbut the backbone of the hosts will still look familiar.

Jan Bednarek Leads the three-man chain, star of Inter Milan Piotr Zielinski plays in central midfield while Robert Lewandowski, the all-time top goalscorer, leads the front.

The latter will once again have to do without an injured strike partner Arkadiusz Milikso not either Karol Swiderski or Krzysztof Piatek were able to support their captain in the attack.

Possible starting lineup for Poland:
Skorupski; Dawidowicz, Bednarek, Walukiewicz; Frankowski, Szymanski, Zielinski, Urbanski, Zalewski; Swiderski, Lewandowski

Possible Portugal starting lineup:
Costa; Dalot, Dias, A. Silva, Mendes; B. Silva, Vitinha, Fernandes; Neto, Ronaldo, Leao

We say: Poland – Portugal 1:2

Even if Portugal are not strong enough defensively, they pose a threat from several angles offensively and are quite capable of outplaying their hosts.

Although Poland has produced some new talent of late, they are also vulnerable at the back and will be unable to resist Ronaldo and Co. this weekend.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

Previews via email