http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050606/7/3t1m.html Portugal can consolidate their top spot in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 3 on Wednesday by adding a win over Estonia to last weekend's all-important success over Slovakia. The 2-0 weekend victory over their nearest rivals took the UEFA EURO 2004 runners-up to 17 points - three clear of Slovakia and Russia, who beat Latvia 2-0. Estonia, who have played a game more than the top three, are in fourth place on 11 points after their 2-0 win over Liechtenstein on Saturday. "If we win in Estonia, then we'll go on to become favourites," said Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose team beat Estonia 4-0 at home in September. " We are only three points clear of our opponents." Saturday's win was inspired by dazzling play from Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the second goal with a free-kick, and by the return of Real Madrid's Luis Figo to international action. "This is important because if we win we're almost in," said Ronaldo. "I don't know what the others think, but I think if we win we are 70 per cent qualified. Figo returned after an 11-month absence and Scolari said his presence was important. "Figo has leadership and charisma beyond being great for the group," Scolari said. Costinha will return to the squad after a one-game suspension but fellow midfielder Simao Sabrosa has been ruled out with a thigh injury. Simao joins five players withdrawn from the original 26-man squad because of physical problems - Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Miguel Monteiro, Luis Boa Morte and Nuno Gomes. The Estonia players are upbeat about giving Portugal a tough game and keeping a live their faint dream of booking a berth in the play-offs. However, they will be missing some key players, including Sunderland goalkeeper Mart Poom. Probable teams: Estonia: Artur Kotenko; Teet Allas, Andrei Stepanov, Enar Jaager, Dmitri Kruglov, Martin Reim, Sergei Terehhov (or Maksim Smirnov), Joel Lindpere, Ragnar Klavan, Andres Oper , Kristen Viikmae (or Ingemar Teever) Portugal: Ricardo; Marco Caneira, Jorge Andrade, Fernando Meira, Alex; Deco, Maniche, Petit; Luis Figo, Pauleta, Cristiano Ronaldo Referee: Mike Riley (England). --

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