Portugal conclude preparations for the defence of their continental crown on Wednesday, as they host Israel at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Following a goalless draw with Iberian rivals Spain last week, the Selecao now face one final test before meeting Group F outsiders Hungary in their opening European Championship game.

Match preview

Having beaten hosts France in the 2016 final, after reaching the semi-finals in 2012 - losing to eventual winners Spain on penalties - Portugal are again among the favourites heading into this summer's much-delayed Euro 2020.

The first of their post-season warm-ups for the main event - versus their 2012 conquerors, in Madrid - ended in an uninspiring draw last Friday. With only one shot on goal (which finally arrived in the game's final minute) Portugal were ultimately happy to avoid defeat against the nation they will now join forces with, to bid for the right to host the 2030 World Cup.

Still under the watchful eye of veteran coach Fernando Santos, this year, Portugal have made a strong start to their Qatar 2022 qualification campaign, collecting seven points from their first three Group A matches - against Azerbaijan, Serbia and Luxembourg. During the process, several well-established stars continued to lead the way for the Iberians, who are one of international football's most experienced sides.

As they have faced among the heaviest workloads in European football this term, however, high-profile Manchester-based trio Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes were omitted from the Selecao's starting lineup last time out, while Santos rotated his abundant resources. The former Greece coach handed a debut to Sporting's Primeira Liga top scorer Pedro Goncalves (who took the place of Joao Felix, still just 21), while teenage teammate Nuno Mendes also featured from the bench.

Representing a gifted younger generation - which is soon to include several starlets who finished runners-up in the Under-21 Euros at the weekend - a number of new names have emerged to supplement Portugal's battle-hardened squad, so whichever XI is selected to start on Tuesday will be strong favourites against a far lower-ranked Israel team.

Currently rated the world's 85th-best football nation - sandwiched between Uganda and Uzbekistan - lowly Israel have shown signs of progress since missing out on Euros qualification after their penalty shootout defeat to Scotland in last year's playoffs.

Not only did they gain a measure of revenge on the Scots by beating them in the Nations League soon after, but the Blue and Whites had also chalked up an impressive win in Slovakia before coming out on top in their two most recent games: the first of which was a 4-1 victory over Moldova in World Cup qualifying, while the second - just last week - was a 3-1 win in Montenegro.

Star men Eran Zahavi, of PSV, and Shakhtar Donetsk winger Manor Solomon were both on target in Podgorica, keeping momentum building ahead of their clash with the reigning European champions this Wednesday.

Undoubtedly, coach Willi Ruttensteiner will now use this opportunity to fine-tune Israel's tactics for the resumption of the Qatar 2022 qualifiers in September, where they are contesting a well-balanced group, also featuring three Euro finalists: Austria, Denmark and familiar foes Scotland.

Team News

Each member of the Portugal squad and technical team tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday, after playing against a Spain side featuring Sergio Busquets - who subsequently tested positive for the virus - last Friday.

Therefore, with no major injury or illness concerns, the Selecao's late-joining Manchester-based players - Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva - are now expected to feature after missing out in Madrid.

Strongly linked with both Manchester clubs of late, young full-back Nuno Mendes may be offered a start ahead of Raphael Guerreiro, while Sporting teammate Pedro 'Pote' Goncalves is a strong contender to make the first XI too.

As they fly straight to Budapest on Thursday, star striker Cristiano Ronaldo could be offered a rest, with Bundesliga star Andre Silva given the chance to deputise.

Using their post-season camp to experiment somewhat, Israel called up 24 players for this summer's friendlies, including several uncapped squad members.

However, vastly experienced skipper Bibras Natkho, plus well-travelled forward Eran Zahavi and vice-captain Eitan Tibi are all expected to start on Wednesday, as the level of opposition surely leaves less room for tinkering.

Sporting Kansas City's Gadi Kinda - now aged 27 - finally made his senior debut last week, having previously represented the Blue and Whites at several youth levels. His injury-time goal against Montenegro is now likely to earn the Ethiopia-born midfielder a further opportunity from the bench.

Portugal possible starting lineup:
Silva; Cancelo, Fonte, Dias, Mendes; Moutinho, Danilo; Fernandes, Goncalves, Jota; A. Silva

Israel possible starting lineup:
Marciano; Dasa, Tibi, Menahem, Davidzada; Solomon, Natkho, Lavi, Fani; Malede, Zahavi

We say: Portugal 2-0 Israel

Though self-preservation may be at the top of most Portuguese minds on Wednesday, the European champions will still want to avoid a morale-damaging defeat this close to the start of their title defence.

Albeit against more modest opposition, improving Israel have started to find the net of late, so the hosts' teak-tough rearguard must stay focused to post another clean sheet heading into the all-important main event.

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