Portugal vs North Macedonia: Preview, Team News and Predicted Lineups Ahead of World Cup Qualifier

• A ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be at stake when Portugal host North Macedonia in a qualifier clash at Estadio do Dragao
• Portugal missed out on automatic qualification after they finished second in Group A of the European qualifiers
• The Euro 2016 winners will be buoyed by their relatively superior squad when they take on Blagoja Milevski's men who upset Italy at home

Portugal are scheduled to lock horns with North Macedonia in a World Cup play-off final on Tuesday night, March 29, in what promises to be a cracker.

The Selecao were relegated to the playoffs after they finished second in Group A of the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers, with Serbia earning an automatic qualification at their expense.

The former European champions now need to get past North Macedonia to book a ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Match preview

On paper, Portugal are huge favourites to seal qualification as they boast of a superior squad with talented and experienced players.

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However, they will have to be wary of a North Macedonia side that eliminated reigning Europe champions, Italy, from the playoffs.

Despite facing a total of 32 shots, Blagoja Milevski's charges held firm to claim a 1-0 win in the semi-final playoff to set up a crunch date with Portugal who eased 3-1 past Turkey in their own fixture.

While Portugal have qualified for each of the past World Cup editions since 1998, Fernando Santos has insisted his side will accord their opponents the respect that they command.

Tuesday's game will mark the first-ever competitive scrap between the two nations, with their last meeting back in 2012 ending in a goalless draw.

Team news

Portugal will be welcoming back Joao Cancelo from suspension, with the Man City star expected to displace Diogo Dalot at right-back.

Fortunately for Santos, he does not have any major injury concerns and will be having a fully fit squad to select from.

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In the North Macedonia camp, Eljif Elmas and Tihomir Kostadinov are back from suspension as well and will be in contention for a starting place.

The duo's return is a timely boost for Milevski after stand-in midfielder Boban Nikolov was taken off injured against Italy.

Possible starting lineups:

Portugal

Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; Silva, Moutinho, Fernandes; Otavio, Ronaldo, Jota

North Macedonia

Dimitrievski; S. Ristovski, Velkovski, Musliu, Alioski; Elmas, Kostadinov, Bardhi; Churlinov, M. Ristovski, Trajkovski

Ronaldo confident Portugal will earn World Cup qualification

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Cristiano Ronaldo has made a bold statement on the possibility of missing out on the 2022 edition of the World Cup.

Ronaldo's Portugal are facing the daunting task of earning a ticket for the global extravaganza set for Qatar.

However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is confident the Selecao can seal qualification for the global showpiece.

“We know that if we win we will go to the World Cup and if we lose we are out. We have the responsibility to be positive and win the match. I see everyone well prepared and wanting to be at their best tomorrow," the Man United attacker said ahead of the North Macedonia clash.