Portugal UEFA EURO 2016 Predicted Line-up: Probable Starting 11 for Fernando Santos' men

Will Portugal be able to turn the tables in France?

With a couple of semi-finals and a runners-up spot in the last four editions of the European Championships, Portugal, once again, start as the dark horses of the 2016 edition of the coveted intra-continental football tournament that kicks off in France later this week. To be honest, the south-western European country is an enigma of sorts. When you hear their name, you instinctively want to tout them as one of the favorites, however, in the last couple of editions, they have always managed to fizzle out right at the business end of the tournament thus disappointing millions of their fans all across the globe.

Will this year be any different for Portugal? Will the heavy reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo ultimately pay off? Or will the ‘Men in Maroon and Green’ bow out of the tournament earlier than expected? Only time will tell. Let us take a look at Portugal’s Probable XI for the 2016 UEFA Euros for now:

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Dinamo Zagreb), Anthony Lopes (Lyon) and Rui Patricio (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Cagliari), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Cedric (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Pepe (Real Madrid) and Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), Andre Gomes (Valencia), Danilo (Porto), Joao Marlo (Sporting CP), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Rafa Silva (Braga), Renato Sanchez (Benfica), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg) and William Carvalho (Sporting CP).

Forwards: Eder (LOSC), Nani (Fenerbahce), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid).

Goalkeeper

The 28-year-old Sporting CP goalie, Rui Patricio will undoubtedly be the Portuguese manager, Fernando Santos’ first choice goalkeeper for the upcoming Euros. Having earned his first international cap back in 2010, Patricio has already featured in 44 matches for Portugal.

Patricio who has represented his country in the 2014 FIFA World Cup along with three European Championships is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the 2016 edition of the UEFA Euro. Having made 30 appearances for his club this season (in all competitions), the 28-year-old goalkeeper had shown an abundance of calm and composure in front of the goal.

Rui Patricio’s form has to be absolutely top notch if Portugal is to garner any success in the 2016 Euros.