Fernando Santos warns of Faroes threat to European champions Portugal

09 October 2016 16:53

Portugal coach Fernando Santos has warned his side not to take anything for granted ahead of their trip to the Faroe Islands in World Cup qualifying Group B on Monday.

The Faroes have enjoyed a stunning start to the new campaign after following up a home draw against Hungary with a 2-0 victory over Latvia in Riga on Friday.

And after losing their opening qualifier 2-0 in Switzerland before bouncing back by brushing past Andorra, Santos says the north Atlantic underdogs must be given due respect.

Santos told a press conference: "We cannot forget the Faroe Islands have four points. They have had the same coach for five years, they have already drawn with Hungary and now they have won away."

Cristiano Ronaldo will retain his place after netting four in Portugal's 6-0 win over the Andorrans, but Valencia winger Nani is still ruled out due to injury.

Also in Group B, Switzerland travel to face Andorra looking to build on an impressive start to their own campaign after following up their win over Portugal with a 3-2 triumph in Hungary.

The Hungarians, with just one point from their two Group B games so far, travel to Riga to face a Latvian side still smarting from their embarrassment at the hands of the Faroes.

Romelu Lukaku is expected to sit out Belgium's Group H trip to Gibraltar after injuring his thigh in the course of Friday's 4-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Boss Roberto Martinez is looking for his side to maintain their 100 per cent start in the competition against a Gibraltar side who are yet to pick up a point.

Also in Group H, Bosnia look to rebound from their heavy loss to the Belgians when they meet struggling Cyprus in Zenica.

In Group A, Sweden will look to return to form against Bulgaria in Solna, having squeezed past minnows Luxembourg by a single goal on Friday, while the Bulgarians were thrashed 4-1 by France on the same night.

The improving Luxembourg side travel to Borisov to face Belarus in the other Group A game, with the pick of the night's action the clash between Holland and France.

Source: PA