Portugal vs. Albania: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Portugal will seek to put a 2014 World Cup group-stage exit behind them as they get their Euro 2016 qualification campaign underway on Sunday evening, playing host to Albania in their Group I opener.
Paulo Bento's side will feel positive about their chances of making it out of the pool, with Denmark and Serbia installed as slightly lesser favourites.
However, in order to live up to expectations, a good start will be needed as the Portuguese field a youthful squad for this weekend's fixture, hoping to unearth a new line of potential stars.
Date: Sunday, September 7
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK, subscription required), ESPN Watch (US)
TV Info: Sky Sports 3 (UK), ESPN2 (US)
Fitness Concerns Raise Ronaldo Doubts
One power Sunday's hosts will have to go without on Sunday is captain and ever-present leader Cristiano Ronaldo, ensuring Bento's team begin their Euro 2016 journey with a significant absence in their midst.
The omission of Real Madrid's superstar will require Portugal's lesser stars to step up in his absence, particularly in attack, where Nani sits as the only forward selected with an international goal to his name.
Uncapped Bruma and Ricardo Horta, of Galatasaray and Malaga, respectively, have been called up to potentially make their debuts.
However, considering the Portuguese midfield isn't one renowned for its scoring potential, one has to wonder where the attacking initiative is going to come from.
The best-case scenario is that with their biggest asset out, Portugal band together in a way their fans have been waiting upon for some time, but that may be a hope too far.
Key Battle
Eder vs. Lorik Cana
Of those forwards included in Bento's squad, Eder strikes as one with the chance to be a major scoring threat, with Nani out of form in recent seasons and others inexperienced among the national team.
The Braga attacker will be required to come off his wing, should he get his chance from the first whistle. In doing so, he is likely to have a number of run-ins with Albanian captain Lorik Cana.
The Lazio general has made a career largely on his tough-tackling in defensive midfield, but Gianni de Biasi has benefited from his shift to centre-back, and he is expected to provide at least one reliable totem for a team otherwise lacking in top talent.
That being said, Eder's pace does give him the tools necessary to leave Cana behind, but the lack of a recognised centre-forward may come to hurt Portugal, much to Albania's delight.
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