With another World Cup Qualification round, comes more nervous moments for a Portuguese side that tends to only hit their stride on the big stage. Time after time Portugal goes through qualifying with some trouble, but they somehow manage to get through.
Even on seven points, Portugal and Israel can earn themselves a three point cushion with a victory on Friday.
Paulo Bento knows that the next two matches are highly important for the Portuguese, so he has made sure that his squad is set on earning six points from both matches.
"What we need to do is obvious, we need to win," the former Portuguese International told reporters.
Russia currently sits in first in the group with 12 points, so Bento knows that qualifying in the top spot will not be easy, and it will not only depend on his teams performances.
"It is within our reach, and mathematically it is still possible. But, it now does not only depend on us. Rather than thinking about what we are unable to control, we need to focus on what we can do, and that is qualifying for the World Cup another way. That does not change our initial plan, which was finishing in first place. We knew that their would be three teams battling for the top spot, Russia, Israel and Portugal."
Failure to win their next two matches against Israel and Azerbaijan could really put Portugal's World Cup hopes in jeopardy.
Israel's Tomer Hemed is confident that his side can claim the full three points on Friday, and says that his country is only focused on winning.
"If we work hard the way the manager prepares us and we do what he asks of us, there is no reason why we cannot deal with any of the Portuguese players. We will give our best. A draw does not run through our head, but a victory does," said the Mallorca forward.
Having Joao Moutinho back in the squad could be a plus for Portugal, but the Porto midfielder has been in and out of the squad due to an injury, so it is still unknown if he will be fit enough to get the start. His presence will certainly help solidify the Portuguese midfield, while his absence could be noticeable.
The Israeli's may not have a number of big name players, but they can cause issues for Portugal. Experience can be found in players such as Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun, and QPR's Tal Ben-Haim, so under estimating Eli Guttmann's squad could be a big problem for Portugal.
Israel's Previous Matches
09-11-12 Israel 0-4 Russia (WCQ)
10-12-12 Luxembourg 0-6 Israel (WCQ)
10-16-12 Israel 3-0 Luxembourg (WCQ)
11-14-12 Israel 1-2 Belarus (Friendly)
02-06-13 Israel 2-1 Finland (Friendly)
Portugal's Previous Matches
09-11-12 Portugal 3-0 Azerbaijan (WCQ)
10-12-12 Russia 1-0 Portugal (WCQ)
10-16-12 Portugal 1-1 Northern Ireland (WCQ)
11-14-12 Gabon 2-2 Portugal (Friendly)
02-06-13 Portugal 2-3 Ecuador (Friendly)
Prediction
If their was a title on the line for every match Portugal played, maybe their inconsistencies would go away, but since that is not the case, the Portuguese continue to show up when they please.
Their very uncharacteristic and shocking one goal draw at home against Northern Ireland will be a match that they will be extremely frustrated with. For a team that is ranked 7th in the world and has who many consider to be the world's best player, they should be able to make quick work of teams such as Northern Ireland, but that is what makes football so entertaining.
Israel is ranked 74th by FIFA, and one would think that given the amount of talent Portugal has in their squad, they should see off the hosts in a comfortable fashion, but that will more than likely not be the case.
Both teams have lost one match in the group stage, and it came against Russia for both of them. The Portuguese will have a chance to redeem themselves at home after losing 1-0, while the Israeli's will have to try and seek revenge in Russia after being brushed aside with a 0-4 scoreline at home.
Portugal should be able to dictate the pace of the game on Friday, but that all depends on if they show up for the match mentally. Considering that a loss could really make things difficult for them to book their trip for Brazil in 2014, maybe the added pressure will force them to perform as the #7 ranked country should.
As always, the Portuguese will be looking to Ronaldo to spark the offense as he has done for a few years now. If Israel can take him out of the game, things could become easier for them, but as we all know, eliminating Ronaldo from a match is easier said than done.
The visitors should be able to grab the full three points in this match, but that may require some nervy moments throughout the match as the hosts will pile on the pressure when given the chance.
Can the Portuguese get back on track with a victory over Israel, or will the hosts make things even more difficult for Paulo Bento's side?
Israel 0-2 Portugal
