Prediction: Portugal vs Cyprus

Verdict: Portugal to win to nil

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: bet365

Mere hours before their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will contest a Champions League final against Juventus, Portugal take on minnows Cyprus in the final warm-up game for the WC qualifier against Latvia and the 2017 Confederations Cup. Their opponents will attempt to take advantage of the numerous absences in the home side and maybe even create an upset.

Portugal

Even if they were not exactly seen as one of the favourites for the trophy, Portugal impressed to lift the Euro 2016 trophy, finally ending a long wait for a major title. The Selecao were then beaten by Switzerland in the opening 2018 World Cup qualifier, but returned to the right track with four comfortable triumphs, although they still trail the Swiss by three points. Portugal have now began preparations for the 2017 Confederations Cup, where they will face Mexico, Russia and New Zealand in the group stage, while they also have a WC qualifier against Latvia to contest before they travel to Russia. After losing to Sweden in March, the Selecao will be looking to return to winning ways when they take on Cyprus on Saturday afternoon, and chances are they will succeed in that quest even though several star players will be missing. This will be a good opportunity for players who have struggled for playing time so far to impress head coach Fernando Santos and improve their status in the squad ahead of the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Team News

Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe will only join the squad after the Champions League final, whereas Ricardo Quaresma has been sidelined through injury.

Andre Gomes has joined the squad after helping Barcelona lift the Copa del Rey trophy, but Nelson Semedo, Pizzi, Raphael Guerreiro and Bruno Alves could all miss out.

Cyprus

Cyprus have yet to make their first appearance at a major tournament and to be fair, they didn’t even come close in the last few decades. The new 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign had a disappointing start as well, as the team suffered comfortable defeats to Belgium (3-0), Greece (2-0) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (2-0), failing to score a single goal in the process. The 3-1 triumph over weak Gibraltar remains the sole victory of the campaign, while Cyprus also managed to defeat Kazakhstan in a March friendly. However, a goalless draw with Estonia once again highlighted team’s goalscoring issues that are unlikely to end any time soon. Before they resume the qualifying campaign with an away game against Gibraltar, Cyprus will test their skills against the Euro 2016 winners, who will be under strength in Estoril. Head coach Constantinos Charalambides has attempted to rejuvenate the squad of late, as veterans Marios Nicolaou and Efstathios Aloneftis are no longer part of the group, while Fanos Katelaris and Renato Margaca recently earned their first caps.

Team News

Valentinos Sielis and Vincent Laban miss out through injury and suspension respectively, whereas Georgios Efrem has been overlooked.

Key Factors to Consider

• Cyprus have never beaten Portugal (D1 L9)
• Portugal defeated Cyprus without conceding in each of four meetings at home
• Selecao scored 21 goals in last 5 matches vs Cyprus
• Cyprus lost last four away games
• Portugal missing a number of starters

Conclusion

Even though they will be without Ronaldo, Pepe and few more quality footballers, Portugal should have no problems defeating minnows Cyprus, whose goalscoring problems are highly likely to continue.

Verdict: Portugal to win to nil

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: bet365