Portugal |
4 - 0
This match has ended. Upcoming related matches:
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Malta |
Portugal vs Malta Live Streams and TV Channels
| Country | Channels |
|---|---|
| International | OmniSportTV |
| Other Countries | |
| Canada | Sportsnet World |
| *Don't see your country or favourite channel listed? Let us know and we will include it. | |
Portugal vs Malta Delayed and Repeat Broadcasts
| Country | Date/Time (US/Eastern) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Wed, Oct 14 18:45pm | Setanta Sports USA |
| Wed, Oct 14 22:15pm | Setanta Sports USA | |
| Fri, Oct 16 17:00pm | Setanta Sports USA | |
| *Don't see your country or favourite channel listed? Let us know and we will include it. | ||
Portugal vs Malta Match Preview
A string of disappointing results throughout the qualifiers denied Portugal from clinching automatic tickets for the finals of the World Cup in South Africa. However, after a meaningful 3-0 victory at home to Hungary last Saturday, the Portuguese are favorites to maintain the second spot and ultimately qualify for the play-offs.
How Group A’s table looks like ahead of the last match-day
Despite the fact that Portugal look set to grab the play-off place in the group, nothing is settle mathematically.
The Portuguese seat above Sweden and Hungary who both experienced defeats last Saturday. Still, only three points separate the second spot from the fourth spot.
This explains that Portugal could miss out on the play-offs if they fail to beat Malta and if Sweden or Hungary win.
Should Portugal lose to Malta, then they’ll have to pray that Sweden draw against Albania and that Hungary manage a narrow victory even if they win. In such a case, Portugal will still qualify for the play-offs.
Analytically, the Portuguese have the easiest fixture of match-day 10 compared to Sweden and Hungary who remain in the running for Group A’s play-off tickets.
Playing Malta in Portugal should be a simple task and despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo in that encounter, the Portuguese are poised to crush Malta and begin celebrations.
Players to watch and expectations
It’s hard to imagine that Malta will create many problems for the Portuguese in Portugal. On paper, Malta should be no match for the home side on Wednesday.
Tactically, the Portuguese pace and attacking instinct is nothing but likely to be paid off with a flurry of goals as it happened in the first leg last year.
Portugal certainly lack of accuracy in front of goal. Still, we expect one or two players to rise and have the job done.
Simao Sabrosa, who got a brace against Hungary last Saturday, is expected to shine again. Sporting Lisbon’s Liedson is proving to be a sensation for his country and could be on the mark for the second time in a row. Luis Nani should also fill the boots of the injured captain Cristiano Ronaldo with less pressure than determination to show is value.