Iran v Portugal - Preview and possible lineups

Iran:

Olympiakos defender Ehsan Hajsafi is a doubt, after he picked up a thigh injury during Iran's clash with Spain. If Hajsafi can't play, Milad Mohammadi is likely to be his replacement.

Portugal: 

Joao Moutinho is Portugal's main fitness concern. The midfielder has missed several training sessions through illness, however he did return on Sunday, and will definitely be part of the squad,

Iran boss Carlos Queiroz: 

"After the first two matches we were a little overwhelmed but we have recovered and we have fantastic spirit. No one gave us much of a chance but we could still advance. It's been agony but I think we have added prestige to our game,"

"We will face a team that has every obligation to win on their side. Portugal have the magic formula to win the World Cup. They are a great squad and a player in Cristiano Ronaldo who could make the difference, just as Maradona or Bobby Charlton before him,"

Portugal boss Fernando Santos:

"Iran played two excellent matches so far. They were very well organized defensively but not just that. They counter-attack and they know how to attack. It will be a very difficult match between two teams that will battle and do everything to win." 

"This isn't a match between two managers. Nor is it a match between Cristiano Ronaldo and someone else. It's a match between two very strong squads."

Did you know?

This is Iran and Portugal's second encounter at the World Cup, after their meeting in 2006. Portugal won 2-0 on that day thanks to goals from Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo – it was Ronaldo's first ever goal in the tournament.

Form:

Possible lineups:

Iran: Beiranvand; Haji Safi, Pouraliganji, Rezaeian, Hosseini; Ezatolahi, Amiri, Ebrahimi, Ansarifard, Taremi; Azmoun.

Portugal: Rui Patricio; Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; Soares, Carvalho, Moutinho, Silva, Mario; Guedes, Ronaldo.