Portugal v Austria preview: Keeper Rui Patricio targets instant response to Iceland setback

Keeper Rui Patricio is refusing to dwell on the disappointment of being held by Iceland as Portugal aim to quickly bounce back against Austria.

The Group F favourites were forced to settle for a share of the spoils after Nani's opener was cancelled out by Birkir Bjarnason's early second-half equaliser for tournament minnows Iceland.

Patricio will be determined to avoid conceding again when his side face Austria in Saturday's late game at the Parc des Princes in Paris (kick-off 8pm), and is full of belief Portugal will collect their first Euro 2016 win.

The 28-year-old said: "We're ready for everything. The game with Iceland is in the past. We're focused on tomorrow's game and ready for it.

"We're confident, we know our quality, we didn't get the result last time but we're confident we can do so this time. We're well prepared and our objective is to win tomorrow."

Patricio added: "We're here to do our best and give our all. The whole squad is important. 

"We know Austria are a well-organised side. It'll be a tough game, a difficult game. We're focused on our own game and what we can do."

Portugal coach Fernando Santos is also backing his players to get back on track and put that Iceland result behind them.

The boss said: "It's a different game. I have confidence in all my players. We have the determination and ability to get the result we want.

"All four sides in our group are very strong. We have to play our best, but the primary objective is to win. They're a side with a lot of quality and balance.

"We are confident, we have quality, talent and ability to get the result we want."

Team news

Austria are without the suspended Aleksandr Dragovic after he was dismissed in the 2-0 defeat against Hungary for two bookable offences.

Ricardo Quaresma came off the bench for the final 14 minutes of Portugal's draw with Iceland and could make the starting XI.

Santos was boosted by the participation of Danilo at Thursday's training session after he picked up a back injury during the Iceland match.

Match stats

Portugal are currently unbeaten in four matches against Austria (W1 D3). Their last meeting was back in October 1995 (1-1 in a Euro Qualifier) whilst Austria's last victory was in November 1979 (2-1 in Lisbon, Euro Qualifier).

Three of the last four meetings between these sides have ended in a 1-1 draw (1-0 Portugal in 1994); neither team has managed to score more than once during this time.

Austria have conceded exactly once to Portugal in each of their last five matches against them.

Portugal and Austria are playing each other in the finals of a major tournament for the very first time.

Austria registered a 9-1 win over Portugal in a World Cup qualifier in September 1953; they have never managed to score more in a single game (also 9-0 vs Malta 1977).

Cristiano Ronaldo will become Portugal's outright most capped player if he features in this match; he's currently level with Luis Figo (127).

Ronaldo has now had 34 direct free-kick shots in major tournaments for Portugal (World Cup and European Championships); he hasn't scored with any of them. He attempted 10 shots versus Iceland; four more than anybody else across the opening round of group games. However, only one of those efforts was on target.

Austria come into this game having lost three of their last four matches (including friendlies, W1 L3). That win came against Malta.

Portugal have only claimed one victory in their last five games (D3 L1) played at major tournaments (World Cup and European Championships).

Austria have never kept a clean sheet at the European Championships; conceding at least once each of their four games.

In fact, Austria have gone 13 games without a clean sheet at a major tournament, last keeping one against Algeria at the 1982 World Cup.

Portugal had 26 shots in their opening game; the most of any nation across the first round Euro 2016 matches.

None of Austria's last 28 shots at the European Championships have found the back of the net.

Merson's prediction

Portugal need to win here! They'll be very disappointed with the result against Iceland. It was a poor very goal to give away.

However, I'm backing them to respond and if they can pick up all three points it should be curtains for Austria.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet's odds: 9/2)

Betting

Portugal are Sky Bet's 4/5 favourites for the victory on Saturday evening with Austria 18/5 and the draw priced at 5/2. Both sides are odds-on to qualify despite disappointing opening-round results, with Portugal 11/10 favourites to win Group F. Cristiano Ronaldo has drifted out to 8/1 to win the Golden Boot but is 5/2 favourite in the first goalscorer betting, with Marc Janko considered the main Austrian threat at 13/2 to break the deadlock.