Armenia vs. Portugal: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info
It's a battle of top versus bottom in Euro 2016 qualifying Group I on Saturday as leaders Portugal hope to tighten their grip on the pool after a clash against basement side Armenia.
Fernando Santos' men may be the travelling party this weekend, but after winning their last three qualification fixtures in succession, Portugal will feel confident of claiming a fourth.
We provide a full match preview for the encounter, along with viewing information and prediction of who will start in the Armenian capital of Yerevan.
Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 5 p.m. BST/12 p.m. ET
Venue: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK)
TV Info: Sky Sports 5 (red button, UK)
| L 2-1 vs. Albania (A) | L 2-0 vs. Cape Verde (H) |
| L 1-0 vs. Portugal (A) | W 2-1 vs. Serbia (A) |
| L 3-0 vs. France (H) | W 1-0 vs. Argentina (N) |
| D 1-1 vs. Serbia (H) | W 1-0 vs. Armenia (H) |
| L 2-1 vs. Denmark (A) | W 1-0 vs. Denmark (A) |
Team News
Portugal boss Santos will serve the second—and last—of his two-match touchline suspension against Armenia, related to unsportsmanlike conduct toward a match official when in charge of Greece at the 2014 World Cup.
On a more positive note, the resurgent Ricardo Quaresma will start against Armenia on Saturday, according to Portuguese football expert Jan Hagen, who quotes the winger:
Despite the joyous nature of the occasion, however, Quaresma isn't getting overexcited for this weekend's encounter and is quoted by Goal's Harry West as highlighting the hosting team's strengths:
"They are strong, defend well and go out on the break. We had many difficulties in the first game, but we're here to win. We have to be focused. It is a difficult time zone, which we are still getting used to. There are over three hours' time difference. I have difficulties, but that's not what will hamper the game.
I'm in a good moment, my confidence is up there and I feel good at all levels.
"
Portugal have no major injury concerns to fret over and will be hoping to see Cristiano Ronaldo lead by example once more, having bagged the 1-0 winner against Armenia in the reverse fixture.
Portugoal's Tom Kundert reports veteran Ricardo Carvalho is also primed to become his nation's oldest-ever outfield player on Saturday 12 years after making his international debut:
Armenia caretaker manager Sargis Hovsepyan will lead his team for the first time on Saturday following the resignation of predecessor Bernard Challandes three months ago.
West quotes Hovsepyan in confirming attacker Yura Movsisyan couldn't attain full match fitness in time for the match: "In the five days of practice we had, Movsisyan showed that it was impossible to recover for the game."
Defender Hovhannes Hambardzumyan will also be absent after picking up a red card in Armenia's 2-1 defeat at Albanian hands in March.
| Armenia Win | 15-2 |
| Draw | 7-2 |
| Portugal Win | 9-20 |
| Portugal to Win by One Goal | 9-4 |
Predicted Formations
Armenia (4-5-1)
Roman Berezovsky; Hrayr Mkoyan, Levon Hayrapetyan, Robert Arzumanyan, Varazdat Haroyan; Artur Yuspashyan, Karlen Mkrtchyan, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marcos Pizzelli, Artem Simonyan; Artur Sarkisov
Portugal (4-2-2-2)
Rui Patricio; Cedric, Fabio Coentrao, Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves; Joao Moutinho, William Carvalho; Nani, Ricardo Quaresma; Cristiano Ronaldo, Danny
Players to Watch
After slumping to defeat against Albania in their opening qualifier, Portugal have since run to three wins in a row, two of those coming thanks to 1-0 winners courtesy of captain Ronaldo.
Santos is under pressure to ensure Portugal rediscover a certain attacking fluidity they've lost in recent years, and while it's ever to be expected, Ronaldo will once again be the man expected to pull their strings in every sense.
It will also be of some interest to see how Quaresma handles his recall to prominence in the national team, and after reviving his former greatness back at Porto, the 31-year-old could emerge as a hero of the side.
Key Battle
Henrikh Mkhitaryan vs. William Carvalho
Borussia Dortmund playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan bears a heavy load for Armenia at the best of times, but the absence of forward Movsisyan only emphasises his need to impress all the more on Saturday.
Without a proper totem in attack, Mkhitaryan will be forced to account for a greater percentage of his side's probing in attack, and Portugal anchor William Carvalho is likely to be the obstacle standing in his way.
A team talisman of immense creative nature coming up against Sporting Lisbon's holding specialist reminds of the old struggle of an unstoppable force meeting the immovable object.
Carvalho's saving grace is that the higher standard of players around him will make up for any shortcomings in defence, and Mkhitaryan has an uphill fight on his hands to weave opportunities for the home outfit.
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