So today I figured I’d try predicting Portugal vs Spain lineups ahead of their big match. Grabbed my laptop around coffee time, fired up a blank spreadsheet first thing. Started scribbling notes in one column for Portugal, another for Spain – just dumping whatever popped into my head about these teams.
Step 1: Hunting For Clues
Checked my usual football news spots – no official lineups yet obviously, but scanned manager quotes and injury reports. Saw Spain’s coach talking about “fresh legs” after their last game, made me think he’ll rotate midfielders. For Portugal, all the talk was about Ronaldo starting despite age. Bookmarked about seven different articles comparing their recent formations.
Step 2: Recent Lineup Archeology
Dug into both teams’ last three matches like some football detective:
- Portugal’s pattern: Been sticking with 4-3-3 like glue, Diogo Costa always in goal. Defense unchanged when possible.
- Spain’s shuffle: Wild rotations! Sometimes 4-3-3, sometimes that funky false-nine setup. Goalkeeper? Still a coin toss.
Scribbled “UNSOLVED MYSTERY” next to Spain’s striker position. Morata or false nine? My gut said false nine after reading tactics analysis.
Step 3: The Injury Drama
Highlighted major absences in blood-red font. Portugal’s defense took a hit with that right-back injury last week. Spain’s midfield lost their workhorse – huge blow. Adjusted my draft lineups twice just from this part alone.
Step 4: Gut Feeling Time
Stared at my spreadsheet grid like it owed me money. Took walk around the block to clear my head. Came back and mashed F5 on news sites fifteen times hoping for leaks. Finally slapped together:
- Portugal prediction: Costa – Cancelo, Dias, Silva, Mendes – Fernandes, Palhinha, Vitinha – Leao, Ronaldo, Silva
- Spain prediction: Simon – Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Alba – Rodri, Ruiz, Olmo – Torres, Yamal, Williams
Final Tweaks & Uncertainty
Changed Spain’s keeper twice before saving the document. Still feel shaky about whether Portugal starts Felix. Saved the file as “PORTvsSPAIN_GUESS_vFINAL(ish).xlsx” – classic naming right? Probably 60% confident at best. These managers love last-minute curveballs. Might update tomorrow if new leaks surface!
