A Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal will face Italy for their UEFA Nations League debut on Monday evening, and will be relying on the home support of the Estadio da Luz to top the table with a victory.
Roberto Mancini's Italy side opened their account with a 1-1 draw to Poland on Friday which has left both sides with one point each in Group 3 of League A.
Therefore, Fernando Santos' team can place first in the table should they leave with a victory, though will have to do so without the talents of star striker Ronaldo, who was granted time off from international duty in order to continue settling in at Juventus.
Portugal also managed a 1-1 stalemate in their friendly against World Cup runners-up Croatia and will be eager for a win.
| Game | Portugal v Italy |
| Date | Monday, September 10 |
| Time | 7:45pm BST / 2:45pm EST |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game will be shown on Univision Deportes and livestreamed through the ESPN+ app.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Univision Deportes | ESPN+ |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on Sky Sports and streamed via Sky GO.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports | Sky GO |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Portugal players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Patricio, Beto, Ramos |
| Defenders | Soares, Cancelo, Neto, Mendes, Pepe, Dias, Rui, Guerreiro |
| Midfielders | B. Fernandes, G. Fernandes, Pizzi, Sanches, Neves, Oliveira, Carvalho, B. Silva |
| Forwards | Bruma, Martins, Lopes, A. Silva, Guedes |
Goalkeeper Claudio Ramos and defender Pedro Mendes have yet to make their international debuts, though it is a fresh-faced Portugal team as a number of squad players represented their country for the first time against Croatia.
Ronaldo's glaring absence has paved the way for a reshuffling of the Portugal attack, with Andre Silva in contention to lead the line after scoring a hat-trick on his debut for Sevilla.
The likes of Gedson Fernandes, Sergio Oliveira, Claudio Ramos and Pedro Mendes have also earned their first Portugal call-ups.
Potential Portugal XI: Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Mario Rui; Ruben Neves, William, Pizzi; Bernardo, Guedes, Andre Silva.
| Position | Italy players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Cragno, Donnarumma, Perin, Sirigu |
| Defenders | Biraghi, Bonucci, Caldara, Chiellini, Criscito, Dos Santos, Lazzari, Romagnoli, Rugani, Zappacosta |
| Midfielders | Barella, Benassi, Cristante, Gagliardini, Jorginho, Pellegrini, Zaniolo |
| Forwards | Belotti, Berardi, Bernardeschi, Bonaventura, Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne, Pellegri, Zaza |
Mario Balotelli returned to the Italy fold following Roberto Mancini's appointment, though was excluded from the squad to face Portugal after picking up a knock against Poland.
Potential Italy XI: Donnarumma; Criscito, Chiellini, Bonucci, Zappacosta; Jorginho, Benassi, Bonaventura; Chiesa, Immobile, Belotti.
Betting & Match Odds
Portugal are priced at odds of winning 7/5 according to bet 365, while a draw is available at 21/10. A win for Italy is priced at 5/2.
Match Preview
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Neither Portugal or Italy are heading into their Nations League clash on brilliant form, with Santos' side only registering three wins in their last 10 games, with Italy close behind and only managing two in their last 10.
Italy do have some breathing room in order to enable newly-appointed Mancini to familiarise himself with the national team after a major reshuffle in the squad following their inability to qualify for the World Cup this summer.
Santos will be sporting the majority of the pressure to achieve results with the national side after four years managing Portugal, crashing out at the last 16 stage to Uruguay after initially impressing in the group stages.
Mancini had to make do with a 1-1 draw against Poland, relying on Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to rescue a point in the manager's first competitive game in charge.
Balotelli had been recalled to the squad following Mancini's appointment but had a quiet game, though the former Man City boss believes that his former colleague will continue to show his worth on the pitch should he remain fit.