UEFA Euro 2024: Round of 16 – Portugal vs Slovenia

Portugal look to avoid a cupset against Slovenia in the Round of 16 at UEFA Euro 2024. 

Portugal reached this stage as Group F winners, whilst Slovenia qualified as one of four best third-placed teams.

 

Team News

Portugal have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to report with a full squad in contention for selection, with manager – Roberto Martinez having rotated his squad for their shock 2-0 loss to Georgia.

Rafael Leao will be available after he was suspended for Portugal’s final group match.

Slovenia will be without defender, Erik Janza who is suspended after he picked up his second booking in their goalless draw against England.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Portugal face Slovenia at Waldstadion, Frankfurt, on Monday 1 July at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time), live on BBC1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Portugal’s first competitive clash against Slovenia at a major tournament.
• Slovenia won their only previous clash against Portugal (W1), which came in a 2-0 friendly home win in March 2024.
• Portugal are looking to avoid suffering consecutive defeats in all competitions for the first time since September – October 2014.
• Slovenia have drawn each of their last four matches – with three of those four draws having finished in a 1-1 result.
• In the Group Stage, no Portugal player has produced more shot-creating actions than Cristiano Ronaldo (11).

 

Prediction

Although their loss to Georgia is a shock to the system mentally, Portugal will be comforted by the fact that manager – Roberto Martinez had rotated his squad because key players like Bernardo Silva will be back here and fresh for a game which they are favourites to win.

Slovenia however are a well-organised resilient team especially defensively and also will have confidence from that friendly win over Portugal a few months ago, but they will certainly need to be at their peak best here for a game where they probably won’t see much of the ball.

I however can’t see them winning this because Portugal certainly should have enough quality to unlock their defence, no matter how deep and gutsy their defending is.

Prediction: Portugal 2-0 Slovenia

Result: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia (Portugal win 3-0 on penalties)