How Portugal could line up against Liechtenstein

Roberto Martinez is set to name a strong Portugal side for their Euro 2024 qualifier in Liechtenstein on Thursday despite qualification already being assured.

Portugal have won all eight qualifiers in Group J, and wins here and over Iceland in a few days' time would see them finish with a 100% winning record for the first time.

A new seeding format for the finals incentivises teams to continue to take their remaining qualifiers seriously, as the pots will be decided based on how many points are won in qualifying, so Portugal will be targeting a spot in pot one and can confirm that with a win here.

Either way, given the quality of their opposition, Martinez could utilise anybody in his squad and they will still get the job done against the group minnows.

Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to start though as he looks to add to remarkable international goalscoring record.

The 38-year-old netted two in the reverse fixture - a 4-0 win back in March on matchday one - and he has since scored another seven in the following six qualifiers, taking his overall tally to 127 in 203 caps.

Portugal are not short of attacking options, but Joao Felix has been the preferred choice alongside Ronaldo in qualifying. However, Martinez could also go with the likes of Goncalo Ramos or Diogo Jota here.

With Liechtenstein unlikely to provide any threat at the other end, Martinez may go with a three-man defence, or even a two, with Joao Palhinha dropping in to plug any potential gaps.

That will leave Joao Cancelo free to rampage down the right-hand side like he did in the reverse fixture, where he netted the opener.

With Raphael Guerreiro not in the squad as he aims to return to full fitness, there are no recognised left-backs in the squad, with Diogo Dalot, Nelson Semedo and Toti the only players with experience in that role.

As all three would be playing out-of-position though, Martinez may choose to go with an attacking option to play in a left-wing back/left-winger hybrid role, with Rafael Leao, Otavio or Bruma all capable.

Missing out on the squad are Paris Saint-Germain and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielders Danilo Pereira and Pedro Neto, who both picked up injuries in recent weeks.

Renato Sanches is also still absent as he has had a frustrating start to life with Roma under fellow Portuguese Jose Mourinho.

Ricardo Horta is back in the squad after missing October's break with injury, and fellow Primeira Liga star Pepe also returns to the fold at 41, and is in contention for a run out here.

Portugal possible starting lineup:
Rui Patricio; Antonio Silva, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio; Joao Cancelo, Palhinha, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao; Ronaldo, Joao Felix