Rafael Nogueira
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Portugal vs Norway: our predicted lineups for this UEFA Nations League meeting on Sunday 4 October 2026 point to two squads that have been managed very differently in recent weeks. Jorge Jesus’s back four and midfield anchors have barely changed, yet Portugal’s final third has been shuffled more than Ståle Solbakken’s Norway, where almost every outfield slot has stayed put across the last three line-ups. That gap in rotation, rather than any dramatic team news, is the real story behind both predicted XIs below.
Predicted Portugal Line-up
Jorge Jesus is projected to set Portugal up in a 4-2-3-1, his own preferred shape, built from the three most recent line-ups available. It is a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match – with the back four and Diogo Costa in goal appearing in all three games used here. The one rotation flag sits further forward: Rafael Leão has started just once in the three matches used, well below the rest of the attacking line, while Gonçalo Ramos has started twice and looks the more regular leader of the line.
Portugal predicted XI: Diogo Costa; Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, João Cancelo; Pedro Neto, Rúben Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão; Gonçalo Ramos
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 3 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Diogo Costa | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 3 | Rúben Dias | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 13 | Renato Veiga | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 19 | Nuno Mendes | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 20 | João Cancelo | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 18 | Pedro Neto | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 21 | Rúben Neves | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 23 | Vitinha | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 8 | Bruno Fernandes | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 7 | Rafael Leão | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| F | 9 | Gonçalo Ramos | 2/3 | 2/3 |
Norway Predicted Lineup
Ståle Solbakken’s expected XI lines up in a 4-3-3, again matching the coach’s own preferred system. Norway look the more settled of the two sides overall – 10 of the projected XI started their last match – even though the back four and the Berge-Odegaard midfield pairing have started every one of the last three games. Patrick Berg has started twice of three but sat out the most recent match, and Andreas Schjelderup’s two starts from three put him just behind the nailed-on front players in terms of certainty.
Norway predicted XI: Ørjan Nyland; Kristoffer Ajer, Fredrik Aursnes, Julian Ryerson, Torbjørn Heggem; Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard, Patrick Berg; Erling Haaland, Andreas Schjelderup, Oscar Bobb
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 3 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Ørjan Nyland | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 3 | Kristoffer Ajer | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 7 | Fredrik Aursnes | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 14 | Julian Ryerson | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 17 | Torbjørn Heggem | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 8 | Sander Berge | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 10 | Martin Odegaard | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 6 | Patrick Berg | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| F | 9 | Erling Haaland | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| F | 21 | Andreas Schjelderup | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| F | 22 | Oscar Bobb | 2/3 | 2/3 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
Francisco Conceicao is out injured, which thins Portugal’s forward options rather than the settled back line or midfield. Joao Felix, who has started twice in the matches used for this projection, looks the bench option best placed to step into that attacking role if needed.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Francisco Conceicao | F | injured | Hamstring Injury |
For Norway, no absentees are recorded in the data, leaving Solbakken with his group largely intact heading into the weekend. If changes are made in the forward areas, Antonio Nusa, with two starts among the matches used here, is the bench player who looks best placed to come into the side.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Sørloth | F | injured | Muscle bruise |
How These Line-ups Were Picked
Both predicted lineups are built from each side’s last three line-ups, with more recent matches weighted more heavily than older ones when judging who is first choice. Anyone confirmed injured or suspended has been removed from selection entirely before the projection is built. This is not an official team sheet – it is our best projection from real recent selection patterns, and it will be updated once the actual starting line-ups are announced.
Read also: Portugal vs Norway Prediction: 04.10.2026 UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Preview
Read also: Portugal vs Norway Head-to-Head: Record, Stats and Form as of 2 Oct 2026
FAQ
Who is predicted to start in goal for Portugal vs Norway?
Diogo Costa is projected in goal for Portugal, while Ørjan Nyland is the expected starter for Norway, with both having started all three of the matches used in this projection.
What formations are Portugal and Norway expected to use?
Portugal’s predicted lineup is set up in a 4-2-3-1 under Jorge Jesus, and Norway’s expected XI follows Ståle Solbakken’s preferred 4-3-3.
Is anyone ruled out for Portugal vs Norway through injury or suspension?
Francisco Conceicao is out injured for Portugal, while no absentees are recorded in the data for Norway.
When does Portugal vs Norway kick off?
The UEFA Nations League fixture kicks off on Sunday 4 October 2026.