Preview: Portugal vs. Switzerland - Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Portugal will take on Switzerland on Tuesday night for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals. Both teams have two wins and one defeat in this World Cup tournament so far, and this is their sixth clash in the last six years. We can say they are two squads that know each other very well. Let's Predict the starting line-up of Portugal vs Switzerland. 
Where: LUSAIL ICONIC STADIUM
When: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2:00 p.m. EST / 7:00 p.m. GMT / 8:00 p.m. CET
Fifa rankings: Portugal  (9), Switzerland (15)

Match Preview

The two latest encounters between Portugal and Switzerland came back in the UEFA Nations League with Selecção das Quinas winning 4-0 on the home field, before Switzerland won 1-0 in Geneva seven days later.
Back in further history, they both faced each other in World Cup 1938 Qualifiers, where Switzerland took down Portugal with a 2-1 win. The two teams have never faced each other in any World Cup final before. Portugal's side is looking good and showing off a lot of confidence. Although they lost their last game in the rough stage against South Korea they are still on top of the group and it doesn't have a bad impact on Fernando Santos' men. Portugal vs Switzerland prediction might be found here.
On the other hand, Switzerland are not lacking confidence, too. Regardless of the 1-0 win in their last meeting in Nation League, they also defeat Portugal 2-0 in the side's only previous encounter at a major tournament at Euro 2008.
“We know how to beat them,” stated Xherdan Shaqiri. “This will be a completely different game.
“There is much more pressure for both sides, and whoever loses will go home. This will make the game much more exciting.
“Portugal are favorites, but we saw the example of Argentina [against Australia] that everyone expected they had an easy game and they had a lot of difficulties.
“Just as Australia posed problems to Argentina, with a special game on our part, we can pose a lot of problems to Portugal.”

Team News

Portugal

Source: football32

With progress assured from Group H, Fernando Santos used the opportunity to make six changes to his Portugal XI last time out, but the notoriously conservative coach should revert to type on Tuesday night.
Only given his first Benfica start in August, 19-year-old defender Antonio Silva was a competitive debut against South Korea alongside veteran campaigner Pepe - a man 20 years his senior. The youngest Portuguese player to feature at the World Cup may make way, though, as Ruben Dias returns to the back four; Diogo Dalot made a big impression on his first World Cup start so could be retained.
Nuno Mendes was ruled out for the rest of the tournament last week due to injury, while  Danilo remained sidelined after suffering a broken rib; Otavio remains doubtful too.

 

Source: sportsbrief

Switzerland will be hoping stalwart goalkeeper Yann Sommer can return to bolster their backline at Lusail Stadium, after missing their final Group G match because of illness. With 30 clean sheets and innumerable crucial saves across his 76 caps for the Nati, Sommer would return for Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel if available.
There is every chance that Murat Yakin's side will be otherwise unchanged, as Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler give the midfield screen ahead of a well-drilled defense and Breel Embolo leads the lineup front.
Ruben Vargas and Xherdan Shaqiri supply support from out wide, though both Christian Fassnacht and Renato Steffen offer alternatives on either flank.

Portugal Vs. Switzerland Head-To-Head Record

Portugal wins: 9
Switzerland wins: 11
Draws: 5
Portugal goals: 34
Switzerland goals: 34

Source: theanalyst

Portugal's Possible Starting Lineup:

Switzerland's Possible Starting Lineup:

Portugal 2 - 1 Switzerland