Portugal not in action - but crucial matches in their Euro 2020 qualifying group

While Portugal are still competing in the UEFA Nations League, the second bout of Euro 2020 qualifying fixtures are also set to take place.

This evening sees Ukraine take on Serbia in a huge match in the context of the group, with Portugal having already played both sides at home and only managing a draw in each.

The other match sees Luxembourg, who currently occupy an impressive 2nd place position in the group, take on minnows Lithuania.

With Portugal sitting on just 2 points from two games, the group has proven tricky thus far, and depending on results tonight, things could get even more awkward for the Selecao, who will be watching on from afar.

Portugal currently sit 3rd in the table, 2 points behind Ukraine in 1st and just a single point off Luxembourg in 2nd, while they also have just a point advantage on Serbia who have a game in hand.

Should Serbia secure victory over Ukraine, they will leapfrog Portugal in the table, jumping up to 4 points, drawing them level with Ukraine.

That would open up the prospect of Luxembourg climbing to 1st place in the group should they then earn a win against their opponents in the other fixture, a surprise turn of events early on in the campaign.

However, should both Serbia and Lithuania win today, which is feasible, it would see Portugal drop to last in the group after 2 matches have been played, a concerning sight even at these early stages.

This is how the group would look if those results were to occur:

Nothing for Portugal to be overly concerned about with games in hands on some teams and a long way to go in the qualifying campaign, but it would be a clear indication that this group is going to be far from straight-forward.

Portugal would then be pulled back further on Monday, when another round of fixtures take place without Portugal kicking a ball.

On Monday, Serbia will welcome Lithuania in a match that they will be expecting to win, while Ukraine will then be hosting Luxembourg, a fixture Ukraine fans will also be hopeful about.

Portugal could therefore find themselves having to make up a lot of ground by the start of next week.