Portugal and DR Congo dey set to face for first time ever for World Cup group stage match for Wednesday evening for NRG Stadium for Houston. Dis match na important one for both sides as dem dey try to start dia campaign well.
Portugal, wey be dark horses for dis tournament, get squad wey full of serial club winners. Cristiano Ronaldo, wey be 41 years old, dey lead the team for im sixth World Cup finals. Im form go be crucial for Portugal to progress.
DR Congo no come just to participate. After dem defeat Nigeria for CAF playoffs and succeed for inter-continental playoffs, the Leopards believe dem fit advance from Group K wey get Colombia and Uzbekistan. Sebastien Desabre im troops show say dem get what e take to compete.
Portugal expected lineup: Costa, Semedo, Dias, Inacio, Dalot, Neves, Vitinha, Trincao, Fernandes, Neto, Ronaldo. DR Congo expected lineup: Mpasi-Nzau, Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kayembe, Bongonda, Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau, Mbuku, Wissa.
Portugal dey come into dis match with strong form. Dem score 15 goals for dia last five matches, average of three goals per game. Dem also keep clean sheets for two of dia last four games. For dia last three outings, dem score exactly two goals each time.
DR Congo dey struggle for goals. Dem only score four goals for dia last five internationals, average less than one per game. For three of those matches, dem no score at all. Dis go worry Desabre as dem face strong Portugal defence.
Cristiano Ronaldo remain a big threat. Im hold men’s record for international appearances with 227 caps and goals with 143 strikes. When im dey tire, PSG‘s Goncalo Ramos dey come replace am to keep pressure on DR Congo defence.
Bruno Fernandes dey expected to be creative force for Portugal. Im just finish most creative season for Manchester United, wey im break Premier League record for assists with 21. For im last 10 outings for club and country, im register seven assists. For national team alone, im get two assists for last three appearances.
Portugal dey unbeaten for dia last five matches, with three consecutive wins. DR Congo dey on run of two games without victory, and dem lose to Chile for dia last friendly. Dis suggest say Portugal fit win 2-0, with Bruno Fernandes likely to get assist.
