By Ewan Murray
Georgia are still looking for their first every victory at a major tournament and will need to conquer Portugal on Wednesday evening to secure it at Euro 2024.
Portugal have already booked their spot in the last 16 as group winners and Roberto Martinez may be tempted to rest a few key players for the clash with Georgia. A late victory over Czechia and a commanding 3-0 win against an error-prone Turkey side has seen the 2016 European champions ease into the knockout stages.
Georgia will hope to see an experimental Portuguese lineup on Wednesday night as they battle for a legendary victory. Having picked up a point against Czechia last time out, they will be guaranteed a spot in the knockout stages if they can beat Cristiano Ronaldo and co., even if only as a third-placed side.
If Georgia can't reach the last 16, then Saba Lobzhanidze's enormous stoppage-time miss during the 1-1 draw with Czechia will become even more costly.
Here is 90min's guide to Georgia vs Portugal at Euro 2024.
What time does Georgia vs Portugal kick-off?
- Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
- Venue: Veltins-Arena
- Date: Wednesday 26 June
- Kick-off time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Sandro Scharer (SUI)
- VAR: Fedayi San (SUI)
Georgia vs Portugal H2H record (All-time)
- Georgia: 0 wins
- Portugal: 1 win
- Draws: 0
- Last meeting: Portugal 2-0 Georgia (31 May 2008) - International friendly
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Georgia vs Portugal on TV and live stream
Georgia team news
Georgia collected their first ever point at the Euros last time out and Willy Sagnol is unlikely to tinker too much with the side that drew with Czechia.
Valencia stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was excellent last time out, may be called upon frequently in Gelsenkirchen. He will need assistance from the likes of Guram Kashia and Lasha Dvali in front of him.
As has been the case in their opening two games, Georgia will lean on talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia against Portugal. The Napoli star has been a menace for his country, but the goalscoring burden has actually fallen on Metz centre-forward Georges Mikautadze.
Georgia predicted lineup vs Portugal
Georgia predicted lineup vs Portugal (3-4-3): Mamardashvili; Kverkveliya, Kashia, Dvali; Kakabadze, Mekvabishvili, Kochorashvili, Tsitaishvili; Davitashvili, Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia.
Portugal team news
Portugal are likely to make changes to their starting lineup given they have already topped Group F with two wins. However, one player who is certain to miss out is Milan star Rafael Leao, who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards for diving at Euro 2024 already.
Portugal don't have any injuries to worry about but Martinez is likely to make wholesale changes. Pedro Neto, Goncalo Ramos, Ruben Neves and Antonio Silva could all be thrown into the mix, with veterans Ronaldo and Pepe possibly earning a rest.
Portugal predicted lineup vs Georgia
Portugal predicted lineup vs Georgia (4-2-3-1): Costa; Dalot, A. Silva, Inacio, Mendes; Neves, Palhinha; B. Silva, Fernandes, Neto; Ramos.
Georgia vs Portugal score prediction
Georgia need a miracle on Wednesday night. The lowest ranked side at Euro 2024 will have to beat one of Europe's elite and one of the few sides that have a perfect record at the tournament so far. Portugal will be looking to avoid one of the great Euros upsets.
However, even with a much-changed starting lineup, Portugal should have little trouble beating Georgia. Some of their attacking play has been sensational so far and they boast one of the deepest squads at the tournament.
Prediction: Georgia 0-2 Portugal
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Georgia vs Portugal: Preview, predictions and lineups .
