Poland 1-1 Portugal - European Championship 2016 Statistical Preview

Poland can welcome back teen sensation Bartosz Kapustka after he missed their penalty shoot-out victory over Switzerland through suspension.
Adam Nawałka may look to make some changes after his team were taken all the way to penalties against Switzerland on Saturday. He didn't make any changes in that match until extra-time and there could be some tired legs. Kapustka could come into the side at Grosicki's expense.
Lukasz Fabianski has been immense for Poland between the sticks in their last three matches and has really taken his opportunity to deputise in the absence of the injured Wojciech Szczesny. The Swansea goalkeeper should keep his place here if Szczesny recovers in time.

Fernando Santos made some unexpected changes to the team that required extra-time to see off Croatia and it remains to be seen how he will pick his team on Thursday.
Adrien Silva, Cedric Soares and Jose Fonte profited with their first appearances of the tournament and they could be rewarded with another start against Poland after successfully keeping Croatia's attack quiet. Alternatively, he could look to refreshen the side up after they required extra-time to win.
Andre Gomes has disappointed on the left-flank in their last three matches and he was hauled off at half-time against Croatia on Saturday. He appears most at risk of losing his place in the starting XI.
Despite making things happen in each of his four appearances, Fernando Santos seems to prefer Ricardo Quaresma to impact matches from the bench.
Renato Sanches looked impressive when he came on against Croatia but his distribution was often poor and Santos may not trust the teenager to start a match of such importance.

Prediction

Both sides will have some tired legs ahead of this match after both required at least extra-time to win their respective round of 16 matches.
Portugal have been relatively poor throughout the tournament and are yet to win a game in 90 minutes, but given how the draw has panned out they have a real chance of making the final.
Poland have been relatively solid but they really need Robert Lewandowski to hit form. They've only scored three goals in their four matches and Lewandowski hasn't scored a goal for Poland since November 2015 (nearly 9 hours of football).
Poland are already in uncharted territory having never previously progressed out of the group stages and should sense a real chance to knock Portugal out if they can find their form in front of goal.
Portugal have made the semi finals of the Euros in four of the last six editions and in Cristiano Ronaldo they have the player that can fire them to the next stage of the competition where they will meet the winner of Wales and Belgium.

User comments for this page are not available at the moment.

Poland

Portugal

Ratings

Goals

Assists