2014 World Cup qualifier previews: Russia v Portugal

Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello might be struggling to get to grips with the Russian language, but he has encountered few problems communicating his ideas to the national football team.

The Italian, who previously managed England, has guided Russia to consecutive 2014 World Cup qualifier victories over Northern Ireland and Israel - scoring six goals and conceding zero in the process - despite admitting his troubles learning the Cyrillic alphabet.

But Capello will really need his translator to earn his pay packet on Friday night when his side host Portugal, who also have six points in Group F following wins over Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, in what promises to be one of the evening’s most keenly-contested fixtures.

Both teams are expected to qualify from the group, but securing automatic qualification by clinching top spot is the priority for both Capello and his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Bento.

The latter will be mightily relieved that the shoulder injury which almost forced superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to come off during Sunday’s Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona will not keep him out of the trip to Moscow.

"When he picked up a knock in his last match in the Spanish league, of course I hoped it would be serious," Capello, perhaps only half joking, said. "It would be much easier for us in defence then."

Certainly, Portugal with Ronaldo can be formidable, as Russia discovered during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

The world’s most expensive player may have only been 19 at the time, but he chipped in with two superb goals as Portugal thrashed the Russians 7-1 back in October 2004.

A repeat scoreline is inconceivable this time around and Russia, even with Ronaldo in the Portugal starting line-up, have every chance of continuing their impressive start under Capello with another victory – a victory that would leave nobody in any doubt that Russia appointed the right successor to Dick Advocaat.

Meanwhile, it also promises to be a big night for Italy, who head to Yerevan to take on Armenia.

The Euro 2012 finalists can turn four points into seven with their second victory of the qualifying campaign, while Group B rivals Bulgaria host Denmark in Sofia.

In Group D, Netherlands are expected to record a cricket score when they welcome lowly Andorra to Rotterdam. Barring the biggest upset of this – or any other – season, the Oranje will finish the night top of the group, but it’s unclear who will occupy second spot.

Turkey host Romania in Istanbul hoping to secure their second successive qualifying victory, while Estonia go head-to-head with Hungary in Tallinn.

No team has scored more goals so far than Bosnia and Herzegovina. Safet Sušić’s side fired eight past Liechtenstein before putting four past Latvia, but the Greece defence is unlikely to be as generous.

The result between those two in Piraeus should provide a useful indication as to which team will eventually finish top of Group G.

Switzerland are another team hoping to seal a third straight win. Ottmar Hitzfeld’s men face Norway in Bern, while second-placed Iceland head to Albania.

There are three intriguing matches in Group A, with current leaders Serbia in action against the talented Belgium, Croatia away at Macedonia, plus the all-British clash between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff.

And in Group H, while England play San Marino, Ukraine head to Moldova.

Rob Swan - follow me on Twitter

Join us on Facebook

Follow our Bettor Football updates on Twitter