Russia will be hoping to continue with their fine run in the Confederations Cup when they face Group A favourites Portugal on Wednesday.

The highly anticipated clash is slated this evening with the Cristiano Ronaldo’s team hoping to progress to the next at the expense of the hosts who opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over New Zealand.

On their side Portugal were held to an opening 2-2 draw with Mexico on Sunday where Ronaldo picked up the man-of- the match award.

The Real Madrid star who has been summoned by Spanish authorities for allegations that he evaded 14.7 million euro in tax is expected to appear in court next month in Madrid.

Despite the off-field disruption he managed to rattle the crossbar in one occasion before turning to be provider of Ricardo Quarensma.

On the other hand, Russia will be also hoping to beat Portugal by ensuring he is quite on the match at Moscows Spartak Stadium.

“The first place in group after the first game means nothing,” said Russian midfielder Alexey Miranchuk.

“It only matters after three games.We saw how dangerous Portuguese counter-attacks can be against Mexico. We must be ready for them,”he added.

However, coach Fernando Santo has promised to make several changes in the team something that might have been triggered by the defensive fralities that were expose during their opening match.

The Soviet Union beat Portugal 5-0 in a European championships qualifying match in the Russian capital in 1983.

Then in 2012 Russia won a World Cup qualifier 1-0 against Portugal and ran out winners by the same slender scoreline in a friendly in 2015.

If Portugal wins this game then it will be theirfirst win in Moscow and the have lost their all previous game played in Russian soil.