UEFA Nations League team news and prediction: France vs Portugal

Both nations endured contrasting fortunes in their midweek friendly last week. France ran out 7-1 winners against Ukraine, though Andriy Shevchenko's side were heavily affected by a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad, prompting an emergency selection. Portugal, meanwhile, were held to a 0-0 draw by neighbours Spain. 

In the build up to this clash, we have all your need-to-know match info in one place, including when kick off is, where you can watch it, as well as team news, probable XIs and predicted scoreline.  

When is kick off?  

Sunday 11th October, 19:45 GMT  

Where is the match?

 Stade de France, Paris 

Where can I watch it?  

Sky Sports Premier League 

2020/21 So Far 

These two European heavyweights have made a dominant start to Group 3. Indeed, goal difference is all that separates France and Portugal as we enter matchday 3 for this League A quartet. France kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Sweden and followed that up with a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final, emerging victorious once more in a 4-2 triumph over Croatia. 

It's been a nightmare start to 2020/21 for Croatia, who, prior to their 4-2 loss to France, were handed a 4-1 loss by Portugal to kick off the reigning UEFA Nations League champions defence. A Selecao maintained their winning start with a 2-0 win in Sweden and face France for the first time since their Euro 2016 1-0 final victory over Les Bleus. 

Team News 

Europe's top creator Leo Dubois has tested positive for COVID-19 so has pulled out of Didier Deschamps' France squad, with Ferland Mendy drafted in to cover for the Lyon star. Kurt Zouma is another to come into the squad with Dayot Upamecano dropping out of the selection after suffering with stomach pains. 

France aren't the only side with COVID-related absences with Lyon's Anthony Lopes dropping out of the Portugal squad having tested positive for Coronavirus, which should see Wolves man Rui Patricio start between the sticks. Defender Jose Fonte is another who misses out for the same reason, while Mario Rui is injured. Better news, though, is that Bernardo Silva played 45 minutes against Spain as he closes in on a return to full fitness. 

Probable XIs 

France (433) - Lloris; Pavard, Kimpembe, Varane, Hernandez; Rabiot, Kante, Pogba; Griezmann, Giroud, Mbappe

Portugal (433) - Patricio; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Fernandes, Pereira, Moutinho; Silva, Felix, Ronaldo

Key Battle - Kylian Mbappe vs Joao Felix

Two of the most promising young forwards are set to lock horns at the Stade de France. After returning to fitness, Kylian Mbappe has made a stunning start to the Ligue 1 season, scoring two and assisting three from his three league outings. A WhoScored rating of 8.84 is the best in Europe's top five leagues at this stage of the season and Mbappe, who has now scored in back-to-back games for France, will be confident of continuing his rich vein of form for club and country.

Joao Felix may not have made a sprint start to the LaLiga campaign in the same way Mbappe has in Ligue 1, but the Portuguese youngster has still managed one goal and one assist for Atletico Madrid this term. Felix bagged his first ever international goal in Portugal's win over Croatia last month and the spotlight will be on the 20-year-old to add to that against France tonight

Prediction: France 1-0 Portugal