| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
BOSNIA  Hasagic Besic, Spahic, Mravac, Jahic Rahimic, MedunjaninPjanic, Misimovic, Lulic Dzeko | PORTUGAL  Rui Patricio Joao Pereira, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Coentrao Martins, Meireles, Moutinho Nani, Postiga, Ronaldo |
Safet Susic is facing an injury crisis in defence as he will not be able to rely on no less than three starters in his first-choice back-line. Freiburg's Mensur Mujdza, who was forced off the pitch in the 1-1 draw against France after picking up a knock, has been ruled out for three months with a foot fracture and will not take part in the tie.
Key defenders Sasa Papac and Boris Pandza are suspended for the first leg after reaching their yellow card limits, leaving Susic with little choice at the back. APOEL's Sanel Jahic and Hamburg's Muhamed Besic have been called up to fill the void, while utility man Adnan Mravac is expected to deputise at centre-back. Hoffenheim midfielder Sejad Salihovic has been included in the squad after a lengthy injury absence, but is unlikely to feature from the start.
Real Madrid duo Fabio Coentrao and Pepe, and Besiktas striker Hugo Almeida return for Portugal after sitting out the 2-1 loss to Denmark. Zenit attacker Danny and Atletico Madrid full-back Silvio have pulled out of the squad with injuries, making room for Malaga's Eliseu and PAOK's Vieirinha, who receives his first call-up to the national team.
It is not yet clear whether Pepe will fill in at centre-half or defensive midfield, but following Rolando's horror shows against Iceland and Denmark, Paulo Bento is likely to insert the Madrid man in the back line at the expense of the Porto defender.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Bosnia-Herzegovina have a score to settle with Portugal after the Iberians edged the Balkan nation to a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on the back of 2-0 aggregate win in the qualification play-offs.
- The venue for the game on Friday, Bilino Polje in Zenica, is considered to be the BiH national football team's lucky charm. The country went unbeaten at the stadium for a decade from 1996 to 2006.
- Portugal have never won the European Championship, but appeared in the final of Euro 2004 on home soil, losing 1-0 to Greece.
- Nani is set to make his 50th appearance for Portugal on Friday.
- Portugal have qualified regularly for the European Championship in recent times, taking part in each of the last four editions.
Prediction
Bosnia are a very tough nut to crack at home and will be extra motivated to perform against the side, which toppled them in the race for a place in the 2010 World Cup. However, with so much absentees in defence, the hosts will have a hard time keeping a clean sheet. Portugal have their own troubles at the back, but do possess enough firepower to compensate for this, and come away with a positive result like France did last year.
Editor's Prediction
Bosnia 2-2 Portugal 
