High-octane match on cards at the Stade de France
The UEFA Nations League will return to the fold tonight as France take on Portugal in a high-octane fixture at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Both European giants have maintained a perfect record so far in the competition and will want to win this fixture.
The first two matchdays of the second edition of the competition went ahead in September. Some of the more notable results saw both France and Portugal thrash Croatia, Italy won away at the Netherlands, Germany drew 1-1 with Spain, and England scraped past Iceland with a last-minute Raheem Sterling penalty.
France have won both their opening fixtures and are behind Portugal only on goal difference. The reigning World Champions thrashed Ukraine by a 7-1 margin earlier this week and will be filled to the brim with confidence going into this game. Portugal are currently on top of Group 3 in League A of the European competition and have one of the most lethal attacking forces on the continent. Fernando Santos oversaw a 0-0 stalemate against Spain this week and will make a few changes to his starting line-up going into this game.
France and Portugal have faced each other a total of 25 times on the international stage. The French have historically been the dominant side in this fixture, winning 18 games against their opponents. Portugal have managed six victories and will want to make a statement with a victory this weekend.
Portugal famously edged France to a victory in the final of Euro 2016 and won their first major trophy on the international stage. The French will be baying for revenge in this game and are likely to field their best eleven.
Italy will be aiming to record their second victory when they continue their campaign away to Poland on Sunday night. Roberto Mancini's side are currently top of Group 1 of League A, having picked up four points from their opening two matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Netherlands.
The Azzurri will bring a 17-game unbeaten run into this weekend's contest, while they thumped Moldova 6-0 in an international friendly on Wednesday night.
Belgium will be looking to extend their advantage at the top of their group when they travel to Wembley Stadium to face England on Sunday evening.
Roberto Martinez's side have beaten Denmark and Iceland in their two fixtures in Group 2 of League A to sit at the top of the section, two points clear of England.
The Red Devils will enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with the Ivory Coast in an international friendly on Thursday night, but they have won 12 of their last 13 games during an excellent run. Croatia and Switzerland were both winners in their respective friendly clashes during the week and they will each hope to build on their success having lost both of their opening UEFA Nations League matches.
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