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Portugal will square off with Serbia at the iconic Estadio da Luz in Lisbon tonight in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier to decide who secures a direct spot to Qatar from Group A.
Level with 17 points apiece, the Seleccao are currently ahead of the Eagles on goal difference, so a draw will suffice for Portugal to get through. But they are unlikely to play for one on the night after their disappointing goalless draw in their last game against Ireland.
The pressure is more on the visitors, who have no choice but to win, else risk going into the dreaded playoffs. Dragan Stojkovic's side are looking to qualify for the FIFA World Cup as an independent nation for the second time running; they played as Serbia & Montenegro in the 2006 edition.
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One thing going for Serbia is that they held Portugal in the reverse fixture back in March. They have serious attacking talent in their ranks to trouble the Euro 2016 champions again.
Portugal, meanwhile, have secured direct qualification only once in their last three FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns. Ahead of the mouth-watering encounter, here's a look at five things to watch out for in the clash:
#5 Goals galore
Normally, in a game like this where the margin of error is negligible, teams tend to take a cautious approach. However, in Portugal's clash with Serbia tonight, expect both sides to go all guns blazing in what could well be a goal-fest.
Both teams are blessed with frightening attacking arsenals, which explains their terrific goalscoring record of 16 goals apiece in the ongoing qualifiers.
Moreover, this fixture has always produced goals. Portugal and Serbia have clashed in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, Euro 2020 qualifiers and now in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Overall, they've clashed six times during this period, producing 18 goals. That's an average of exactly three every game. Even in the reverse fixture back in March, the two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Serbia fought back from a two-goal deficit to hold the former European champions.
Portugal were left incensed, as Ronaldo was denied a winner, after the referee incorrectly ruled out his effort. However, the hosts have the chance to make amends in this game.
#4 Serbia could hurt Portugal on the break
Serbia don't need a blueprint to score against Portugal. They've netted seven times against them in their last five meetings. However, if they saw Portugal's draw to Ireland on Thursday, Dragan Stojkovic's side will know where Portugal's weakness lies.
In a desperate attempt to break down the Boys in Green, the Selecao left acres of space at the back. That left them defending on the counter many times in the game.
Ireland did not have the necessary tools to hurt Portugal on the night, but Serbia do. Dusan Tadic, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic all possess incredible speed and cutting edge to hurt Portugal the break. Portugal must be careful not to expose their frailties against Serbia.
#3 Fernando Santos must start Diogo Jota
Portugal manager Fernando Santos kept Diogo Jota on the bench against Ireland to prevent the Liverpool star from getting a suspension. That's because Jota was just one booking away from one.
However, n their final qualifying game against Serbia, the Portugal manager must go all-out. Among the raft of expected changes, he must start Jota.
Though he did not entirely disappoint, Goncalo Guedes failed to offer anything meaningful going forward in the last game. Jota has struck four times, and made two assists in these qualifiers. He could pose a huge threat to Serbia's defence, thanks to his movement and eye for passing.
With Bernardo Silva also expected to feature on the right wing, the 24-year-old Jota could also be an excellent foil for Ronaldo. The Portugal captain is likely to start in the centre of a three-pronged attack again.
#2 History is not on Serbia's side
In seven games between these two sides, Serbia have never beaten Portugal, drawing four times and losing thrice.
In the reverse fixture back in March, the Eagles produced a memorable comeback, wiping out a 2-0 deficit to hold the Selecao in a four-goal thriller. That shows that Dragan Stojkovic's side are no pushovers, and can give even the mightiest of sides a run for their money on their day.
However, in a game of this magnitude, a draw won't be enough to secure them a direct qualification. A win is a must, as Portugal are currently ahead of them on goal difference.
It remains to be seen if Serbia are able to win at the home of the Euro 2016 champions to seal a direct qualification berth at Portugal's expense.
#1 Ronaldo vs Mitrovic - Clash of two prolific marksmen
We started with goals, and now, we'll end the list with goals. And what better players than two of the most prolific marksmen of Portugal and Serbia?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandar Mitrovic were the two highest scorers in their Euro 2020 qualifying group. The Portugal no.7 scored 11 times, while Fulham's prolific striker netted ten.
Now, they're once again the leading scorers in Group A, with six and seven goals to their names, respectively.
It's a no-brainer both these players will be the focal point of their teams when they go head-to-head. With goals galore expected in this fixture, both might end up on the scoresheet again.
