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USA vs Portugal: preview: Latest news, likely line-ups and prediction
Lingering doubts about the fitness of world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo have left Portugal in disarray ahead of their World Cup Group G clash with the United States in Manaus today.
Already reeling from a crushing 4-0 defeat to Germany in their opener, Portugal face almost certain elimination if they lose to the USA, and their preparation for the game could not be going much worse.
Although the Portugal camp insist the Real Madrid forward is fit, Ronaldo has been seen sporting an ice pack on his knee at training sessions and leaving early as his teammates continued to train, while he was far from his scintillating best against the Germans.
Much media speculation has focused on whether or not he will play against the US, or indeed if he does, whether or not he will be fully fit.
But fellow forward Helder Postiga was adamant that too much is being read into an ice pack.
“I personally think that the Cristiano Ronaldo talk is a bit too much so I imagine how he must be feeling about that,” Postiga said. “But regarding his physical condition, he’s been training at his maximum and if it’s not listed in the clinical information of the Portuguese (football) federation it’s because he’s fit to play.”
Ronaldo is just one of Portugal’s problems as they will be missing several other players.
Madrid centre-back Pepe has been suspended for one match after his needless red card against Germany for headbutting Thomas Muller, who went on to score a hat-trick.
Given his volatile nature, that may be a blessing in disguise in a tournament where one error can prove hugely costly.
Fabio Coentrao has been ruled out of the tournament with a torn thigh muscle while forward Hugo Almeida has a pulled hamstring and reserve goalkeeper Rui Patricio pulled a thigh muscle.
It is hardly the ideal preparation to face buoyant USA, who began their campaign with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Ghana, avenging defeats to the Black Stars at the last two finals.
Yet the USA are not without problems of their own as striker Jozy Altidore is out of the game due to a hamstring injury, although US Soccer believe he could be available later on in the tournament.
There is better news when it comes to Clint Dempsey, the opening goalscorer against Ghana who broke his nose in that match.
USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann could push Dempsey – who is likely to line up against Portugal wearing a protective face mask – into a lone striker role in Altidore’s absence, with Graham Zusi brought in on the left.
Centre-back Matt Besler, who like Altidore had to come off in the first half against Ghana due to a hamstring problem, should be fit to play.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
USA (4-3-3)
Howard; Johnson, Besler, Cameron, Beasley; Bradley, Beckerman, Jones; Bedoya, Dempsey, Zusi
Portugal (4-3-3)
Patricio; Pereira, Alves, Costa, Almeida; Carvalho, Moutinho, Veloso; Nani, Postiga, Ronaldo
PREDICTION
All the focus this week has been on Ronaldo but Portugal possess enough quality to win without him. USA to score but Portugal to win, 2-1.
