Switzerland Vs. Portugal Match Preview

NEUCHATEL, Switzerland, June 14 (Reuters) - A very different Portugal team could take the field in the Euro 2008 quarter-finalists' last group game against Switzerland in Basel on Sunday.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose side won Group A before their match against the eliminated co-hosts, could make several changes to rest a majority of first-choice players with a potential quarter-final against Germany looming on June 19.

Germany, the team that most impressed Scolari tactically after the first batch of matches, cannot win Group B and avoid Portugal after their shock loss to Croatia on Thursday.

Utility player Fernando Meira and goalkeeper Ricardo could shed no light on Scolari's plans at Friday's news conference.

'We all have to be ready to play. The coach can count on me at any time in any position,' said Meira, who did not start the wins over Czech Republic and Turkey but is likely to take the holding midfield role to give Armando Petit a break.

Ricardo, likely to be one of four players retained from the first-choice starting line-up, said: 'We are fully confident in the coach's decisions.'

After injury ruled understudy Quim out of the tournament, Ricardo has two uncapped reserves in 34-year-old Nuno Espirito Santo and 20-year-old Rui Patricio.

Meira said Portugal would go all out for victory whoever was picked by Scolari, who could also give starts to wingers Nani and Ricardo Quaresma and midfielder Raul Meireles while Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and Deco are rested.

Having failed in their bid to reach the quarter-finals, Switzerland are setting their sights on a first-ever victory at a European Championship.

'Even before we went out I had already thought that it would be a great achievement to get the country's first win at a Euro,' said coach Koebi Kuhn.

'Why not on Sunday against a Portugal side who have already qualified?' asked Kuhn, due to retire after Sunday's match to be replaced by former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

'I think all our players will want to sign off with a good performance and the crowd deserve it as well.'

Switzerland, already without injured strikers Alex Frei and Marco Streller, may have to make a further change to their front line after reserve Eren Derdiyok hurt his ankle in Wednesday's defeat against Turkey.

An attacking midfielder may be needed to lead the line.

The Swiss have won eight and drawn five of their 19 meetings with Portugal but their last victory was 26 years ago. Portugal won the last meeting 1-0 in 1993.