Kick-off time: 20:00 (GMT), 1 July 2024 | Frankfurt Arena | H2H: 1 – 0W, 0D, 1L
Portugal
- Nickname: ‘Seleção das Quinas’
- Highest Position: Champions Euro 2016
- Last Games: W W L (Qualified 6 Points)
Slovenia
- Nickname: ‘Zmajčeki’
- Highest Position: Group Stage Euro 2000
- Last Games: D D D (Qualified 3 Points)
Portugal Football Team
Euro 2016 Champions but a team that couldn’t get past the Round of 16 in 2020, Portugal are known for their clinical finishing, and of course, their flare for brilliance at times. An unbeaten qualifying run made headlines, but a few losses in friendlies earlier this year did spark rumours that perhaps the side were too reliant on a few key players. Victories over both Czechia and Turkey were slightly marred by a shock loss to Georgia in their final Group game, however they managed to finish top and face off against a side that most would consider one of the weaker of those that made it through.
With Roberto Martinez at the helm, he has no shortage of talent to call on, from defender Pepe – the oldest player at Euro 2024, through to the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo whose 130 goals in 210 games speaks volumes for itself, let alone this being his 11th international competition and 6th Euro entry. If Martinez can get his players to play like they did in their qualifiers, this game should not prove a hard task for his side.
Slovenia Football Team
An astonishing one loss in fourteen games, not to mention this being their 2nd ever Euro campaign with their other being 24 years ago, Slovenia have done better than many had expected them to do and shouldn’t be ruled out just yet. Three consecutive draws against Denmark, Serbia and England meant they qualified with a little bit of luck – taking just 3 points and finishing in 3rd place, although Serbia’s 95th minute goal against them may have been a tad unlucky and could have landed them an easier path to the Quarter-Finals.
Slovenia’s coach, Matjaž Kek, has been running point for 6 years now and will be hoping to make his mark on the International circuit and get the best out of his two leading scorers, Andraž Šporar and Benjamin Šeško, but will have a hard time on his hands for certain, given that their only two goals in the group stages, both came from defenders. Whatever happens, Slovenia will know that after 4 draws in a row, it can’t be 5 – as this one has to have a defining outcome.
H2H Records
With only a single previous game between these two sides, earlier this year at a Friendly and one that Slovenia actually edged 2-0, this game presents a chance for the Portuguese to get their revenge and for the international community to actually get a glimpse of what happens when they have to play in a knock-out fixture.
Round of 16 Match
With these two teams playing at 20:00 on the 1st July, we’ve taken a quick look at the Euro 2024 latest betting odds at the time of writing, according to BetVictor, and they seem to expect a landslide in Portugal’s favour, with odds of 3/10* for them, meaning a £10 bet pays just £13, whilst the same £10 stake for their opponents Slovenia, would pay out a huge £100 with odds of 9/1* currently set. A draw is priced more moderately at 15/4*, with £10 wagered returning £47.50 if the two are tied at the end of the 90 minutes normal game time. While this divide might shock some punters, Portugal are currently 5th favourite to win the Euro 2024 trophy, while Slovenia are 16th out of 16 teams, so much like our prediction, it seems almost certain that the Portuguese will walk away with the spoils on the night and leave Slovenia to go back empty-handed.
