EURO 2016 TEAM PREVIEW: GROUP F - PORTUGAL

Tip: Quarter-finals

Cult hero: Ricardo Carvalho is one wily old fox. Quite how he’s managed to get his body in shape for this at 38 years of age is anyone’s guess, but his mind and capacity for mischief still shines bright. He was given a Portuguese knighthood in 2004. Can you imagine what would happen if they won!

Star player: Nani it is then. Oh, OK, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid talisman is coming into another shot at national glory off the back of taking the winning Champions League penalty, which inflated his head to the size of Spain and Portugal. He remains the player on whose fortunes Portugal operate, his ability to turn games on their head now supplemented by a promising crop of youngsters.

Player to watch: Renato Sanches is an exceptional talent, as can be seen from his huge Bayern Munich transfer, but Joao Mario is a little further down the road in terms of his importance to the national team. The Sporting Lisbon midfielder has been a revelation for his club with his energetic displays around the pitch, his ability to spot a decisive pass and score the odd goal key to Portugal’s hopes.

How they qualified: Group I was a tad thin on the ground with quality, but Portugal only let their guard down once in their opener against Albania en route to qualifying top. They reeled off seven consecutive victories, albeit by slender margins, with Ronaldo and Joao Moutinho to the fore,

Line-up prediction: Patricio, Cedric, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Guerreiro, Danilo, Mario, Moutinho, Silva, Nani, Ronaldo