How Portugal could line up against Nigeria

Portugal bring their preparations for the upcoming World Cup to an end on Thursday when they go head to head with Nigeria at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

After sitting out last Wednesday's EFL Cup victory over Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Jose Sa returned to action against Arsenal at the weekend and the 29-year-old should get the nod between the sticks versus the Super Eagles.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently broke the internet with a controversial interview where he took several digs at Manchester United, was absent from Sunday's 2-1 victory over Fulham due to illness and could start from the bench as he returns to full fitness.

With that being said, in-form striker Goncalo Ramos, who has netted 10 goals in 17 matches for Benfica this season, could spearhead A Selecao's attack, with 27-year-old Otavio and AC Milan forward Rafael Leao starting out wide.

However, Leao faces real competition on the left flank from Braga attacker Ricardo Horta, who has been in red-hot form in the Primeira Liga, where he has four goals and four assists in 13 matches.

Off the back of an impressive outing against Manchester United, Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha could be handed a starting role, forming a two-man midfield pivot with 25-year-old Ruben Neves, while Vitinha could also be handed a starting role.

Fernando Santos has often used Danilo Pereira as a makeshift centre-back and the 31-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes in Paris Saint-Germain's weekend victory over Auxerre, should start at the heart of the defence once again.

Having started 10 of Benfica's 13 league matches, teenage sensation Antonio Silva is enjoying a breakout campaign and the 19-year-old could partner Pereira, while Diogo Dalot and Raphael Guerreiro should take up the right and left full-back roles respectively.

Portugal possible starting lineup: Sa; Dalot, Silva, Pereira, Guerreiro; Palhinha, Neves, Vitinha; Leao, Otavio, Ramos