Euro 2024: Portugal x Czech Republic, Match Preview, Odds, Team News and Predictions(18/06/2024)

Fernando Santos, who won Portugal's first major international trophy in Euro 2016, ended his tenure with a depressing quarterfinal to host France in the final.

When leading Belgium's "Golden Generation," his successor Roberto Martinez had no similar luck; his best finish was a bronze medal at the 2018 World Cup.

However, everything has been going well since Portugal took over as manager. Drawn into Group F with Turkey, Georgia, and the Czech Republic—now headed by Ivan Hašek—he will be happy.

Given their qualification performance, the Portuguese are clear favourites in this matchup. Though they just lost 2-1 to Croatia, Portugal is coming into Euro 2024, having defeated Ireland 3-0.

But the Czech Republic also enjoys a five-game winning run, scoring 16 goals (seven against Malta). They have scored in all of their last seven games.

Portugal x Czech Republic Team News

As was already said, Portugal is sending a very skilled and experienced team to Germany. Ronaldo (39), the squad captain, will have Pepe (41) as his vice-captain. The former Real Madrid teammates have almost 340 caps for their country.

But the team also has several youthful and enthusiastic players, such as 22-year-old Gonçalo Inácio and Gonçalo Ramos and 19-year-old Benfica midfielder João Neves, who is seen as Portugal's next excellent star.

With Pepe playing in Portugal's most recent pre-finals friendly, it seems that Rúben Dias has found his defensive partner, despite some doubts regarding the starting lineup. João Cancelo can play on either flank; hence, Portugal may still play in a three-person defence. António Silva or Gonçalo Inácio may take the lead in such a case. João Félix and João Neves may potentially play if Martínez modifies his regular 4-2-3-1 configuration.

Other than Hammers combo Vladimír Coufal and Tomáš Souček, the Czech Republic has no household names from past championships; Patrik Schick comes in a close third.

He helped Bayer Leverkusen win their first Bundesliga championship, and there are other "Big 5" constants, such as defender David Jurásek (Hoffenheim) and midfielder Antonín Barák (Fiorentina). Still, it will be interesting to watch how recently appointed head coach Hašek arranges his squad. The 60-year-old coach has overseen four games, winning friendlies against North Macedonia, Malta, Norway, and Armenia. He chose a back three for the past three, which will be anticipated this summer at Euro 2024.

Further, up the field, it is unclear who will replace the injured Michal Sadílek in centre midfield with Souček. David Douděra offers a solution to the fierce battle for the left flank position. Starting Schick upfront might be done by Adam Hložek or Mojmír Chytil.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

Since the Czech Republic became independent, three of the five prior encounters against Portugal have been held under the UEFA European Championship banner, with two victories for A Seleção das Quinas. After losing the first match at Euro 1996, which is most known for Karel Poborský's magnificent chip over Vítor Baía, Portugal is presently on a four-game winning run.

Portugal finished undefeated and at the top of Euro 2024 qualification Group J with unwavering brutality. At 3.6 goals per game, they scored an astounding 36 goals and only gave up twice.

Historically speaking, Portugal became the seventh country to qualify for a European Championship with a perfect record. After France (1992 and 2004), the Czech Republic (2000), Germany, Spain (both 2012), England (2016), Italy, and Belgium (both 2020), this was the eighth time.

They also scored the most goals and let up the fewest. Bruno Fernandes scored six goals while Cristiano Ronaldo, their most famous player and lynchpin, ended with ten. High-profile players in the squad include Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva, and Rúben Dias, who were called upon during their victorious qualifying campaign.

Conversely, in Euro 2024 qualification Group E, the Czech Republic and Albania ended equal, although they were runner-up due to a worse head-to-head record. Only one game went against them, a 3-0 away loss to Albania. To lead their assault, they will turn to West Ham player Tomáš Souček.

Our Predictions

Portugal to win  @1.55 on Sky247.ng.

Portugal, the 2016 champions, was eliminated in the round of 16 of Euro 2020 after a dismal championship defence. Still, in Roberto Martinez's first big competition as manager, they will be anticipated to start well against the Czech Republic.

With a flawless ten victories from 10 games in Group J, Lusos was the highlight of qualifying in the group stages. They also had the best offence (36 goals scored) and defence (two goals given up).

En route to the finals in Germany, 11 players for Portugal scored goals; the most surprising leader was the legendary captain and striker Cristiano Ronaldo, whose tally of 10 was only surpassed by Romelu Lukaku of Belgium.

Suppose the Czech Republic is to begin Euro 2024 unblemished. In that case, they will have a challenging task, especially considering their last triumph over Portugal, which occurred in the 1996 competition when a wonder goal from Karel Poborsky aided a stunning run to the final.

Ivan Hasek's side has been significantly more ambivalent in recent European Championships, with the Czechs alternating between group stage and quaquarterfinalits in the previous four competitions. They lost out on top position in Group E on goal difference to Albania in qualification.

Portugal and England are among the rites to win this year's competition, so they should get off to a good start, and Lusos should escape unhurt.

Ronaldo to score anytime @1.90 on Sky247.ng.

Should his team need goals, Roberto Martinez has plenty of depth to choose from, with players like Joao Feliz, Rafael Leao, and Goncalo Ramos capable of setting the example up front.

However, the 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo will be the favourite starter, hoping to improve his remarkable Euro goal total in addition to helping his country win its second-ever continental championship.

Ronaldo leads all players with 14 goals in the event finals; the 1tenhe scored in qualification also added to his 41-game unblemished record. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner should lead his team to victory in Leipzig and score a few goals; a 2-0 result seems inevitable.

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