Portugal vs United States – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Portugal vs United States on and what time does it start? Portugal vs United States will take place on Tuesday 1st August, 2023 – 08:00 (UK)
Where is Portugal vs United States taking place? Portugal vs United States will take place at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for Portugal vs United States? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Portugal vs United States
What channel is Portugal vs United States on in the UK? Portugal vs United States will be televised live on ITV1
Where can I stream Portugal vs United States in the UK? Portugal vs United States can be streamed on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
PORTUGAL
- Portugal’s 2-0 victory over Vietnam has kept them firmly in the mix when it comes to knockout qualification in a formidable Group E, but their toughest challenge now awaits with only victory against back-to-back World Champions United States enough for them to make it through.
- Perhaps most worrying for Portugal was their real lack of attacking threat and spark, albeit against very strong opposition and this could lead to Francisca Nazareth being fielded from the start with three points an absolute must.
UNITED STATES
- It will be a surprise to many that after two group games, United States are yet to secure their place in the next round, with a point still needed from their point of view after accumulating four points from two matches so far.
- In what was one of the most anticipated games of the tournament, the four-time world champions had to come from behind to pick up a 1-1 draw against Netherlands, Lindsey Horan equalising in the second half.
THE TEAM NEWS
PORTUGAL
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Pereira; Borges, Costa, Seica; Alves, Jacinto, T. Pinto, Marchao; Nazareth; J. Silva, Encarnacao
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
UNITED STATES
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Naeher; Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn; Sullivan, Sanchez, Horan; Smith, Morgan, Rodman
UNAVAILABLE: Macario (Injured), Mewis (Injured), Press (Injured), Sauerbrunn (Injured), Swanson (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- USA have won the previous ten meetings between these two nations without conceding a goal.
- Portugal’s 2-0 victory against Vietnam was their first-ever win and clean sheet in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match.
- Against Vietnam Portugal became the first of the eight debutante nations to score two goals in a game in Australia & New Zealand 2023.
- Portugal’s scorers against Vietnam were both aged under 22 years of age. Telma Encarnação (21y 289d) and Kika Nazareth (20y 252d).
- USA are unbeaten in a record 19 successive matches at the finals (excluding penalty shoot-outs) W15 D4.
- USA have scored in each of their last 14 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
- USA have won seven and drawn two of their last nine FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against European opposition.
- Lindsey Horan has scored in the USA’s last three FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage matches.
THE PREDICTION
When considering that Portugal are coming off the back of a victory, not to mention how hard they pushed Netherlands, United States will know that they face a stiff challenge here. But it’s games like this when you see the class of teams like United States shine through, with the back-to-back world champions well-equipped to deal with pressure. They’ve not played their best football over the course of the competition, but it would be no surprise to see United States really hit their straps here. Expect a fighting effort from Portugal, but United States to just get the better of them by a small margin.
TIP: UNITED STATES TO WIN
