PORTUGAL take on Azerbaijan in Baku as they look to go top of World Cup qualifying Group A.
Cristiano Ronaldo inspired his nation to a 2-1 win over Ireland last time out, but is suspended for today's clash.
- Kick-off time: 5pm BST
- TV channel/live stream: Sky Sports Main Event/NOW TV
- Azerbaijan XI: To follow
- Portugal XI: To follow
Follow ALL the latest with our live blog below…
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What TV channel is Azerbaijan vs Portugal on and can I live stream it?
- Azerbaijan vs Portugal is live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
- To stream the game live, head to your Sky Go account.
- Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass.
- Kostas Lianos
PORTUGAL XI
1 Patricio; 20 Cancelo, 3 Pepe, 4 Dias, 5 Guerreiro; 8 Moutinho, 6 Pahlinha, 11 Fernandes; 21 Jota, 10 B. Silva, 9 A. Silva
- Kostas Lianos
THE TEAM SHEETS ARE IN!!!
- Kostas Lianos
AZERBAIJAN STATS
Azerbaijan have been struggling in Group A during the World Cup qualifying phase.
The minnows nation is at the bottom of the table with only one point as they drew with Ireland away on Saturday.
Gianni De Biasi's side has since lost three out of four matches in the qualifying round.
One of them was against Portugal in the first leg away when they lost 1-0 following Maksim Medvedev's own goal
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- Kostas Lianos
PORTUGAL STATS
Portugal lost their European crown during the summer's Euro 2020 tournament, which saw them getting eliminated in the Round of 16.
Fernando Santos' men finished third in the 'group of death' under France and Germany, as they only managed to beat Hungary, and were then knocked out by Belgium.
However, the Portuguese national team is setting up a strong foundation for a quick qualification to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as they are joint top of Group A, which also includes Serbia, Luxembourg, Republic of Ireland and today's opponents Azerbaijan, thanks to an undefeated run.
Portugal have won three of their first four matches and share the top spot with the Serbians as they have both amassed 10 points
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HEAD TO HEAD
Portugal and Azerbaijan's first ever encounter took place way back in 1999 during a Euro 2000 qualifier that the former won comfortbly with a score of 7-0 at home.
Since then, the two nations have faced off a total of seven times with the Portuguese national team counting a vast majority of six wins.
Azerbaijan, on the other hand, have never beaten tonight's opponents as their best ever result was a 1-1 draw back in 1999.
That was also the only time they scored against Portugal as they conceded a total of 18 goals in seven matches
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GOOD AFTERNOON FROM BAKU
Welcome to our live coverage of the 2022 World Cup qualifier between Azerbaijan and Portugal at the Baku National Stadium.
Fernando Santos' men are looking to seal qualification to the tournament's finals in Qatar as soon as possible following a rather hapless Euro 2020 campaign.
Santos, though, will be without record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who made history last week against the Republic of Ireland by becoming the highest scorer in men's international football when he surpassed Iran's Ali Daei.
Ronaldo was shown a yellow card for removing his shirt while celebrating his second goal that gave the Portuguese national team the win and is thus suspended.
The Manchester United star signing's absence could see Andre Silva hold his place up top after netting in the friendly win over Qatar.
Roma star Rui Patricio is set to be recalled between the sticks and pick up a record cap for his national team
Azerbaijan manager Gianni De Biasi, on the other hand, will be without Anton Kryvotsiuk, who also picked up his second booking, so Azar Salahly could take his place at left-back.
Other than that, the hosts have no fresh concerns heading to this difficult match against the former European champions
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