Portugal boss Roberto Martinez is expected to ring the changes on Wednesday night but even a second string Selecao side could prove too strong for Georgia. The Portugal boss has some serious talent in reserve, all of whom will be keen to make an impression.

While Georgia’s need for the points is greater in this game, pushing forward is likely to leave them a little exposed, and Portugal have the players to put them to the sword. The Crusaders have leaked four goals across their opening two Group F assignments, not to mention they have conceded a combined total of 20 shots on target to date.

There is an argument to be made that even an understrength Portugal side could still represent Georgia’s toughest test in Group F. Ruben Neves, Pedro Neto and Diogo Jota, among others, are expected to come into the team, so Willy Sagnol’s side are not going to receive a free pass in their quest to qualify.

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez will also be looking to continue building momentum, and his side could flex their muscles against the lowest-ranked team in the competition..

Ruben Neves has never been one to shy away from a tackle, and he looks a good value option to commit at minimum of one foul during this Group F curtain-closer. The 27-year-old replaced Joao Palhinha at half-time on Saturday and subsequently went on to be reprimanded by the referee once against Turkey.

Neves was a bit part player during qualifying but his most recent domestic disciplinary record would suggest he remains a fierce competitor. Neves, now plying his trade with Al-Hilal, was booked eight times across his 32 appearances during the most recent Saudi Pro League season. What’s more, during his time in the Premier League with Wolves, the tough-tackling Portuguese midfielder picked up 46 yellow cards across his 177 appearances.

Given the counter-attacking threat that Georgia will carry, Neves looks a strong contender to give away at least one free kick.

Georgia’s hopes of getting out of Group F will rest heavily on the shoulders of star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Kvaratskhelia’s mesmeric dribbling skills and direct running often results in him being roughed up by opposition defenders.

The 23-year old was earning his country an average of 2.33 fouls per-game during qualifying, and that trend has continued at Euro 2024. Kvaratskhelia has been fouled three times in each of Georgia’s two Group F outings thus far.

The Napoli ace was also one of the most-fouled players during the most recent Serie A season, drawing an average of 2.62 fouls per 90 minutes. If Portugal boss Martinez does decide to shuffle his pack, then Kvaratskhelia could take advantage of some Portuguese ring rust by earning his side a couple of free kicks.

Diogo Jota is expected to get a run out against Georgia Wednesday night and the Liverpool forward looks a great option in the to score or assist market at 2.0. Jota – who came off the bench to have a goal disallowed in Portugal’s 2-1 win over the Czech Republic – has either notched or provided a goal in five of his last eight appearances for the Selecao. In fact, Jota chipped in with four goals and three assists during that eight-game sample, making him a standout option for a goal involvement here.

It’s also worth pointing out that the Portuguese forward posted an impressive return of 10 goals and three assists across his 21 Premier League appearances for Liverpool this season.

Giorgi Kochorashvili has been one of Georgia’s standout performers at Euro 2024 so far. The combative Crusaders midfielder covered every blade of grass for his country during their opening two matches of the competition.

His industrious displays have seen him commit five fouls as well as one yellow card. The 24-year old was also his country’s most consistent offender during qualifying, committing an average of 2.33 fouls per-game. Furthermore, the Levante man was averaging 2.37 fouls per-game during the most recent Spanish Segunda season, picking up four yellow cards and one red along the way. Given the magnitude of this match for Georgia, their midfield hatchet man looks like a prime candidate to land himself in trouble with the referee.

Pedro Neto’s livewire performances are likely to cause Georgia’s backline all sorts of problems on Wednesday night. The 24-year-old winger’s direct running and natural ability to glide past defenders often leads to him drawing mistimed tackles from his markers.

Neto – who was fouled during his second-half appearance against Turkey last time out – was earning his club side Wolves an average of 1.19 fouls per-game during the most recent Premier League season. In fact, Neto was fouled in 15 of his 20 top-flight appearances last term, drawing multiple fouls in five of those contests.

If given a start on Wednesday night, Neto is a player Georgia will have to keep close tabs on.