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Michal Probierz has improved the Polish national team since his appointment at the start of this year, replacing Paulo Sousa. His Poland side face a Portugal side that could do with rebuilding but are sticking to a plan that has basically never worked for them in international football.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 12th October, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Viaplay International on YouTube / US – FOX Sports streaming platforms
POLAND PREVIEW: POLISH STEADINESS
Michal Probierz took charge of Poland just before the March international break and led them to UEFA EURO 2024 with a hammering of Estonia in their playoff semi-final before defeating Wales on penalties in their playoff final.
They perhaps performed better than what was expected at UEFA EURO 2024 in a tough group alongside Austria, France and the Netherlands. They defeated Scotland last month to kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign before a slender defeat to Croatia a few days later.
PORTUGAL PREVIEW: REINVENTING ROBERTO AND RONALDO
Former Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez has another so-called ‘golden generation’ on his hands after leading Belgium to the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese, though, are too reliant on and scared of the dropping of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Al Nassr forward was a genuine nuisance at UEFA EURO 2024 but the Portugal captain did return to scoring form during the recent international break, scoring winning goals against both Croatia and Scotland at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.
POLAND TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT
The form of Robert Lewandowski is a major boost for Probierz and Poland. He was unfit heading into UEFA EURO 2024 and once again underperformed at a major tournament but he already has 12 goals across all competitions for Barca so far this season.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-1-1): Skorupski; Walukiewicz, Bednarek, Dawidowicz; Kaminski, Szymanski, Zielinski, Urbanski, Zalewski; Bogusz; Lewandowski
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
PORTUGAL TEAM NEWS: STICKING WITH CR7
You can’t argue with the amount of goals he scored. You can argue the amount of goals he scores is because everything has to go through him and that is more generally detrimental but, for now, Cristiano Ronaldo will remain as captain and main man for Portugal.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Costa; Semedo, A. Silva, Dias, Mendes; B. Silva, Joao Palhinha, Fernandes; Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo, Leao
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
POLAND VS PORTUGAL PREDICTION
Poland have the home advantage and, once again, the form of Robert Lewandowski will be something they seek to take advantage of. Their squad does appear well suited to the wing-back system that has been deployed by Probierz throughout this calendar year. Portugal can often be muddled and when they are they can turn in serious shockers, like they did on a few occasions at UEFA EURO 2024. They should still score but Poland will also fancy their chances in Warsaw.
POLAND VS PORTUGAL TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE