Moutinho: Portugal squad calm

The Iberian team has suffered a turbulent qualification campaign but has put together a run of results to leave it in the driving seat to secure a place at next northern summer's finals.

On Saturday (Sunday AEST), it hosts Iceland in Porto and if it wins - and Denmark wins away in Cyprus at the same time - it will engage in a decider in Copenhagen next week.

"The group is calm," Moutinho told O Jogo. "We came through the worst moments of the qualification campaign and at one stage it was very complicated and difficult.

"Now we have good momentum and we like that. We've managed to win to get to this stage, when we'll also look to triumph.

"We're focused on the two games. The first is very important to us and we'll do everything to achieve the victory. The players are ready to play, whoever gets the call.

"I'm sure the team will be at the right level, as they have been in recent games. We're preparing for the match with all seriousness.

"There is huge competition for places and that's good for the mentality.

"We have great players and we're all working to meet expectations."

Moutinho hopes to count on great support at Porto's Estadio do Dragao.

"I hope the Dragao is full because it's important to feel the support of the public and it is an important game for Portugal."

Bento will be without key defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao and striker Hugo Almeida.

Iceland boss Olafur Johannesson - who will be without leading light Eidur Gudjohnsen - is braced for a stern test.

"Portugal are one of the best national teams in the world so it will be a difficult game," he said.

"But my players are prepared and motivated to take on a team like this, and we look forward to this game as a great challenge."

Denmark coach Morten Olsen has had a stressful week ahead of the match in Cyprus as was forced to address constant speculation linking him with the vacant Hamburg job.

"I have no comment to make," he insisted.

"I've never paid attention to rumours and anyway, I'm under contract here so there is nothing to say."