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Switzerland team news: Predicted line up vs Portugal – Liverpool, Arsenal stars available
SWITZERLAND will have their Premier League stars available for the upcoming Nations League clash with Portugal in Porto on Wednesday (7.45pm).
Players from Liverpool and Arsenal will both be available for Switzerland when they face Portugal, despite both clubs being involved in European finals during the past week.
Xherdan Shaqiri is a star for the Swiss and is almost certain to start their Nations League semi-final, especially after being an unused substitute during the Champions League final.
However, his playing time has been limited in recent months and question marks remain over the 27-year-old’s match fitness.
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka played for the Gunners in the Europa League final but has had seven days to recover and will also feature from the off.
Premier League fans will also be familiar with Newcastle ace Fabian Schar, who is set to be joined by one of Nico Elvedi or Manuel Akanji in central defence.
Yann Sommer will start in goal while Kevin Mbabu and Ricardo Rodriguez are the mist likely full-backs.
Denis Zakaria should partner Xhaka in central midfield while Steven Zuber could line up on the left wing.
Unfortunately for manager Vladimir Petkovic, Schalke winger Breel Embolo has withdrawn from the squad so Edimilson Fernandes is likely to start on the right wing.
In attack, Haris Seferovic is expected to lead the line after 23 goals in 29 Liga NOS appearances for Benfica this season.
Switzerland left it late to book their spot in the inaugural finals against Portugal, needing to beat Belgium by two clear goals and falling two goals down before fighting back to triumph 5-2 in their final group game.
In fact, that result means the Swiss amassed the most points out of all four Nations League finalists in the group stages.
Meanwhile, Portugal are expected to welcome back Cristiano Ronaldo to the starting XI while Benfica wonderkid Joao Felix could make his full international debut.
Switzerlandpredicted line-up vs Portugal – Nations League semi-final
(4-2-3-1): Sommer; Mbabu, Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Zakaria, Xhaka; Fernandes, Shaqiri, Zuber; Seferovic