How Portugal could line up against Azerbaijan

Portugal will have to make do without record-breaking talisman Cristiano Ronaldo for their final game of the September international break against Azerbaijan in Tuesday's World Cup 2022 qualifier.

The Manchester United returnee left the camp early in order to link up with his Old Trafford teammates and also missed the recent 3-1 friendly victory over next year's hosts Qatar on Saturday.

However, Ronaldo's shirt-stripping celebration against the Republic of Ireland - during which he became the greatest international goalscorer in the history of the men's game - means that he is suspended anyway, so Andre Silva could keep his place up top after netting against Qatar.

Debutant Otavio also made the net ripple in that recent friendly but could make way for Primeira Liga counterpart Rafa Silva, while Diogo Jota ought to replace Goncalo Guedes on the opposite flank.

Fernando Santos unsurprisingly made a whole contingent of changes at the weekend and will revert to his strongest XI here, with Joao Mario, Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves all making way for Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Palhinha.

As he has done regularly for Paris Saint-Germain, Danilo Pereira featured in central defence alongside Domingos Duarte against Qatar, but both men are set to make way for Ruben Dias and Pepe here.

Joao Cancelo and Raphael Guerreiro are also in line to replace Nelson Semedo and Nuno Mendes in the full-back areas, while Rui Patricio is set for his 99th international cap as Anthony Lopes prepares to be demoted to the bench.

Portugal possible starting lineup: Patricio; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro; Palhinha, B. Silva, Fernandes; R. Silva, A. Silva, Jota