Predicted Portugal Lineup To Take On Russia In Confederations Cup

Euro’16 winners Portugal made a fist of their first game against Mexico in the Confederations Cup 2017 as they failed to keep a one-goal lead twice in the game, picking up only a draw. However, it will not get any easier for Fernando Santos’ side as they are now going to face hosts Russia in their second game in the competition.

Portugal play Russia in what is an important game for the European Champions as they cannot afford to drop any more points in the competition. They are expected to go with their strongest XI and here is the predicted lineup Santos might field for this tie:

Provisional squad:

Patricio, Sa, Ba; Alves, Pepe, Neto, Guerreiro, Fonte, Semedo, Eliseu, Cedric; Moutinho, Pereira, Carvalho, Gomes, Pizzi, Adrien Silva; Ronaldo, Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva, Nani, Martins, Quaresma.

Probable Portugal XI

GK – Rui Patricio

Hardly put a foot wrong in that game against Mexico but was beaten twice and will hope to have a better outing against Russia.

RB – Cedric Soares

Had a decent outing as he put in some crisp balls into the box and stuck to his task at the back. Will start at right back yet again in this game.

CB – Pepe

Had a couple of shaky moments at the back and will want to put in a better performance in their second game of the competition.

CB – Jose Fonte

Was solid at the back for Portugal against Mexico and Santos will hope that he can keep up his good work against the hosts.

Pepe

LB – Raphael Guerreiro

The youngster made a needless mistake that helped Mexico back into the game last time around and will have to improve his performance if Portugal are to keep Russia away from the goal.

CDM – William Carvalho

Had a dominating game against Mexico and will have to do the same to help Portugal get a strong foothold in this game against the home side.

CM – Joao Moutinho

Did a decent job in transition play in the previous game and will have his work cut out in the midfield against a fierce Russia side in their home turf.

CM – Andre Gomes

One of the best players on the pitch in the previous game, Gomes will hope to pick up a goal or an assist in this game to cap off his excellent form.

RW – Ricardo Quaresma

The goal scorer for Portugal in the previous game, Quaresma has been in excellent form in recent times and will be a man to watch out for in this game as well.

ST – Cristiano Ronaldo

The skipper of the side could not get himself on the score-sheet but was influential and is expected to play a similar role in this tie.

LW – Nani

The experienced winger was the first player to be subbed off against Mexico but will be given another chance to have an effect against Russia.

Here is how Portugal could lineup:

Predicted Germany Lineup To Take On Chile In Confederations Cup

World Cup winners Germany are one of the favourites to land the Confederations Cup this year and they made a decent start to their competition, winning 3-2 against Australia in their first game of the competition. Lars Stindl, Julian Draxler and Leon Goretzka were all on the scoresheet and will have to repeat their performances yet again, against a gritty Chile side in their next game.

The South American outfit won the Copa America recently and have started this tournament with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cameroon in their first game. But it will not be easy against a star-studded German lineup. Here is the predicted lineup that Joachim Low might field for this tie.

Provisional squad

Trapp, Leno, Ter Stegen; Mustafi, Hector, Ginter, Plattenhardt, Henrichs, Rudiger, Sule, Kimmich; Draxler, Goretzka, Demirbay, Can, Younes, Brandt, Rudy, Demme; Wagner, Werner, Stindl

Probable Germany XI

GK – Kevin Trapp

After a less than impressive outing for Leno, Low might be tempted to go with Trapp for this crunch tie.

RB – Joshua Kimmich

The exciting Bayern Munich defender will have to be at his best against the likes of Alexis Sanchez on the wing.

CB – Shkodran Mustafi

The Arsenal man had his own moments in the first game but he will hope to have a better game this time around.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The Serie A beast is one of the most effective players in his position in Europe and he should start alongside Mustafi for this tie.

Jonas Hector

LB – Jonas Hector

The first choice full-back for Low, Hector will have his work cut out at both ends of the field against an opponent like Chile.

CDM – Sebastian Rudy

The Hoffenheim defender was in superb form last season and was used in the first game against Australia. He showed enough promise and will keep his place in the side.

RW – Julian Brandt

The youngster was impressive in his outing as a winger against Australia and Low should stick with him for this tie as well.

CAM – Leon Goretzka

The goal scorer in the previous game for Germany, Goretzka has fast become and an important player in the side and should start this game.

Timo Werner

CAM – Lars Stindl

The exciting attacker has played a decent game in a slightly withdrawn role against Australia and there is no reason for the coach to change his position against Chile.

LW – Julian Draxler

One of the best players on show in the first game for Germany, Draxler was among the goal scorers in that game and will hope to put in a similar performance against the Copa America winners.

ST – Timo Werner

The youngster was preferred in the first game by Low and he delivered the goods, which should give him another chance to start for the German national side.

This is how Germany could line up:

Predicted Germany Lineup To Face Australia In Confederations Cup

Joachim Low will not be able to rest in the offseason as his German side are a part of the Confederations Cup this year. The World Cup winners will face Australia in the first game of the competition on Monday and they will hope to go all the way this time around, after missing out on the Euro’16 in France recently.

Germany have up to 10 players who could have been in the U-21 European Championship. However, they have been called up for this competition and the coach has a star-studded lineup to choose from for this game. It is not going to be easy for Germany, who will only face tougher opponents as the tournament progresses so they will go all out for a win against the Aussies. Here is the predicted lineup Low might field for this tie:

Provisional squad:

Trapp, Leno, Ter Stegen; Mustafi, Hector, Ginter, Plattenhardt, Henrichs, Rudiger, Sule, Kimmich; Draxler, Goretzka, Demirbay, Can, Younes, Brandt, Rudy, Demme; Wagner, Werner, Stindl.

Probable Germany XI

Manager: Joachim Low

GK – Marc-Andre ter-Stegen

The Barcelona man found some form late in the season and he might be preferred over Kevin Trapp, who was not used in the recent World Cup qualifier against San Marino.

CB – Shkodran Mustafi

The Arsenal centre-back was in impeccable form for the Gunners and is the first choice for Low. He will play at the heart of the backline for Germany.

Shkodran Mustafi

CB – Jonas Hector

Completing the backline should be Koln’s left-back Hector, who showed great grit in the recent game. He adds a nice balance to the backline.

RWB – Julian Brandt

Though not a genuine wing-back, Brandt should act as a winger who’d be prepared to defend, in what is an attacking lineup for Germany.

CM – Emre Can

The Liverpool man has suddenly become important for Low and he should play as the deepest of the midfielders in this tie.

CM – Leon Goretzka

The Schalke midfielder should partner Emre Can, like against San Marino, and he will be expected to play a slightly more attacking role than the Liverpool man.

Emre Can

LWB – Amin Younes

Another attacking winger, who did a superb job as a wing-back in the game against San Marino, Younes, should keep his place for this tie.

CAM – Julian Draxler

The PSG man has been one of the best players in this squad recently and is expected to be the creative midfielder in this lineup for Germany.

ST – Lars Stindl

The Monchengladbach attacker was in sizzling form as a secondary striker for his club and he will play a similar role just behind Wagner.

ST – Sandro Wagner

One of the most experienced players in this lineup, Wagner was the best player against Marino and is expected to lead the attack for Germany.

Here is how Germany could line up: