Follow one after the other UEFA Nations League last month’s victories, Portugal determine the pace League A Group 1and they will strive to continue in that spirit throughout their visit Poland on Saturday.

The Selecao turned to their talisman in both matches in September Christiano Ronaldo achieved his latest career milestone, putting them three points ahead of their hosts before heading to Warsaw.

Match example

© Image

Taking maximum points from their first two games in Group 1, Portugal were indebted to their longest-serving player against both Croatia and Scotland, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the second goal in a 2-1 win over the former, before scoring a made an explosive cameo appearance against the latter.

They quickly overcame the disappointment of exiting the Euro 2024 on penalties, Ronaldo’s 900th goal in senior football Giving Portugal control against Croatia; three days later he came off the bench to hit the woodwork twice before grabbing a late winner from the Scots.

Questions remain about over-reliance on his 39-year-old forward head coach Roberto Martinez has faithfully defended a much-criticized selection policy and appears to be leading his team towards the 2026 World Cup.

Martinez will first aim to go all the way in a tournament that the Selecao won memorably in 2019, having recently missed out on a place in the 2023 Nations League final by finishing second behind Spain in their group.

A top two finish is now enough to secure a spot in the quarter-finals, allowing Portugal to secure progression to the knockout stages of this season’s edition by beating both Poland and Scotland along the way.

The team dates back to 2006 and is undefeated in six meetings with the home team on Saturday. Notably, the team took four points from their Polish colleagues during the first Nations League. So history is on their side this weekend.

© Image

Portugal are not the only Group 1 team reliant on an aging goalscorer as Poland captain Robert Lewandowski rattled off his 84th international goal last month during a five-goal thriller in Scotland.

Despite a two-goal lead at Hampden Park, the Eagles still took home maximum points thanks to a last-gasp effort from Nicola Zalewskiwhich resulted in a dramatic 3-2 victory.

However, they were subsequently defeated 1-0 by Croatia in Osijek, leaving the pair stuck together the rankingthree points above Scotland.

Before a tame exit from Euro 2024 in the group stage, Poland survived relegation in the previous Nations League, and head coach Michal Probierz now has the task of keeping his country afloat at Europe’s highest level while refreshing an outdated squad.

Of course the priority is building up to the World Cup, but continuing to collect points will also be important; an unprecedented place in the Nations League knockout stages is still at stake.

On the other hand, a third-place finish in Group 1 would mean a relegation play-off; fourth results in an automatic drop to League B.

Format of the Nations League of Poland:

Form Poland (all competitions):

Portugal Nations League format:

Form Portugal (all competitions):

Team news

© Image

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has called up some new faces for this month’s gathering, naming Farense goalkeeper Ricardo Velho and Mallorca midfielder Samu Costa in his 26-man squad.

After scoring a stunning solo goal against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, Juventus turned winger Francisco Conceicao is recalled, having missed the September games due to injury; however, Sporting Lisbon pair Geovany Quenda And Pedro Goncalves both are on the side.

Rarely predictable in tactics or personnel, Martinez could opt for a 4-3-3 formation on Saturday, with Ronaldo flanked by Rafael Leao and one of many other attack options.

Poland’s new boys include the Legia Warsaw midfielder Maxi Ojedele and Rakow Czestochowa winger Michael Ameyawbut the backbone of the hosts will still look familiar.

Jan Bednarek leads the back three, Inter Milan star Piotr Zielinski plays in central midfield, while all-time top scorer Robert Lewandowski leads the way.

Once again, the latter will be without an injured attack partner Arkadiusz Milikso neither Karol Swiderski or Krzysztof Piatek were able to support their skipper in the attack.

Possible starting line-up for Poland:
Skorupski; Dawidowicz, Bednarek, Walukiewicz; Frankowski, Szymanski, Zielinski, Urbanski, Zalewski; Swiderski, Lewandowski

Possible starting line-up for Portugal:
Coast; Dalot, Dias, A. Silva, Mendes; B. Silva, Vitinha, Fernandes; Neto, Ronaldo, Leao

We say: Poland 1-2 Portugal

While Portugal may not be strong defensively, they pose a threat from several angles when they get forward and are more than capable of beating their hosts.

Despite bringing in some new talent recently, Poland are also vulnerable at the back and will not be able to resist Ronaldo and co this weekend.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

Previews by email