Host nation Russia take on reigning European Champions Portugal on Wednesday at Otkrytiye Arena in Moscow in a match that could decide who qualifies for the semi-finals from FIFA Confederations Cup Group A. The two teams have last met in a friendly match in 2015, which Russia won 1-0 on home soil in Krasnodar. Portugal have never managed to beat Russia away from home, but they have won all the direct matches at home, including a 2-0 victory in Lisbon at the 2004 European Championship.
Russia have kicked off the Confederations Cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over minnows New Zealand on Saturday, with Fedor Smolov scoring the final goal after the Russians were gifted an own-goal. The result puts the Russians in a good position to qualify for the semi-finals but they still need one victory out of the last two group matches to make sure, but avoiding defeat against Portugal could also make a big difference. The last four direct meetings have produced just three goals, and Russia conceded just one of them.
Portugal didn't have such a good start to the tournament as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Mexico on Sunday. Ricardo Quaresma opened the scoring for Portugal in Kazan, but Chicharito made it all square before Cedric Soares put Portugal ahead with four minutes left in the game. Hector Moreno scored the equalizer for Mexico in stoppage time, leaving the two teams equal in their quest for qualification. Head coach Fernando Santos might make some changes in the starting eleven after the rather disappointing performance in the opening match.
Probable line-ups:
Russia: Akinfeev - Jikia, Vasin, Kudryashov - Samedov, Golovin, Glushakov, Gazinskiy, Zhirkov - Smolov, Poloz
Portugal: Patricio - Soares, Fonte, Pepe, Guerreiro - B. Silva, Moutinho, Carvalho, Gomes - Ronaldo, A. Silva
My prediction: 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Russia win - 4.50
Draw - 3.50
Portugal win - 1.95
06/22/17, 05:06:56 PM
