Euro 2024: Portugal vs Slovenia Preview, Odds, Team News, Predictions

When Portugal plays Slovenia on Monday night, they will be looking to establish their credentials as Euro 2024 champions after seeing a protracted winning run end in the group stage.

The Slovenians, meantime, are in Frankfurt for their first knockout match in a big event, where they will battle for a spot in the quarterfinals against either France or Belgium.

Portugal x Slovenia Republic Team News

Roberto Martinez will call upon several important players for Monday's encounter after extensively rotating his team the previous time out, including Joao Cancelo, Vitinha, and Bernardo Silva.

Joao Palhinha, goalie Diogo Costa, and captain Cristiano Ronaldo were kept on the team against Georgia, and all three should start in Frankfurt. The latter, too, has not scored in any of his last seven big tournament appearances—his longest drought spanning the Euros and World Cup—while Goncalo Ramos waits quietly in the wings.

Rafael Leao could start on the Selecao's left wing after receiving two yellow cards, both for diving, yet Diogo Jota and Francisco Conceicao have made their way into contention.

Meanwhile, Slovenia will depend on former Primeira Liga player Andraz Sporar and young prospect Benjamin Sesko to spearhead their forward line again. Despite starting each of the first three games, the two have not scored from a combined 12 shots.

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak joined Benfica in 2010 and helped them win the Portuguese treble and make the Europa League final in his one senior season before moving to Atletico Madrid. He might have a busy night against some famous names.

Generally speaking, seasoned coach Matjaz Kek likes a straightforward 4-4-2 setup, with Timi Max Elsnik and Adam Gnezda Cerin running the midfield engine. Jure Balkovec might be his one alteration, replacing the suspended Erik Janza at left-back.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

Even though Portugal won Group F with one game remaining, their humiliating loss to long-shot outsiders Georgia on Wednesday night was a historic giant killing that somewhat undermined their otherwise stellar campaign thus far.

A late comeback was not possible at Gelsenkirchen as the Georgians scored in each half thanks to two mistakes by Benfica center-back Antonio Silva, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's incredible opening coming inside the first two minutes.

Head coach Roberto Martinez seized the opportunity to rest several players, including Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and seasoned center-back Pepe, as the Selecao's qualification to the final 16 had already been assured by victories against Turkey and the Czech Republic.

Nonetheless, a gifted team will undoubtedly be hurt by their third loss to Morocco since leaving the 2022 World Cup; the setback also stopped a streak of 12 consecutive wins.

Portugal has not, astonishingly, lost consecutive competitive games since Euro 2008, and given that only Germany had more goal attempts, fewer shots, and an average of greater possession during the group stage, they should bounce back fast.

Though Portugal has lost three of their last four knockout games at the Euros or World Cup, Martinez and company are still the favorites to advance into what has been called the more challenging half of the draw.

Slovenia has only previously played the Selecao once, in a friendly victory in Ljubljana in March of this year. This will be their second encounter.

Even reaching this big event stage will be cause for celebration, as the Slovenians are now making their debut in the elimination stage, unlike their legendary opponents, who have played 25 times beyond the group stage.

Matjaz Kek's team advanced to the round of sixteen by holding out for a dull goalless draw against England in their last Group C match, extending their unblemished run to nine games.

Three points put them third, which was ultimately sufficient to break new territory for the Slavic country, having previously drawn with Denmark and then Serbia, who they came within a hair of defeating.

Slovenia has only averaged 32% possession at Euro 2024 thus far; only two teams have ever advanced from the group stage with a lower average share. Nevertheless, Kek has a strong roster with two real stars: captain Jan Oblak and teenage forward Benjamin Sesko.

The underdogs can undoubtedly threaten one of the favorites for overall triumph, having not scored since a 2-0 loss to Finland 14 games ago before Tuesday's deadlock in Cologne.

Our Predictions

Portugal to win @1.40 on Sky247.ng

Portugal should have too much firepower to handle a diligent Slovenian side if Roberto Martinez decides against more personnel and technique experimentation.

After most Portuguese players have tasted the action, a succession of fresh-legged substitutions may overwhelm a densely packed defense.

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