The Stats Zone
June 25 2024, 00:30 · Alex Lawes

Georgia vs Portugal Preview & Prediction | UEFA EURO 2024 | Group Stage

Georgia vs Portugal Preview & Prediction | UEFA EURO 2024 | Group Stage
Post Share

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

With Roberto Martinez’ Portugal having already won Group F and secured their berth in the Round of 16 of UEFA EURO 2024, Georgia will sense an opportunity to pounce and create some history by progressing into the knockout stages at their first ever major tournament.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday 24th June, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – ITV / US – FOX

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – ITVX / US – VIX

GEORGIA PREVIEW: GEORGIANS CREATING HISTORY

In what is their first tournament, as mentioned, Georgia have already had some really memorable moments. They kicked off their campaign with one of the games of the tournament so far but eventually suffered a 3-1 defeat to Turkey in Dortmund with a sucker punch of an ending in which they pushed heavily for an equaliser before goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was left stranded.

In their second match they then took the lead after riding their luck for much of the first-half before Georges Mikautadze notched his second of the tournament from the penalty spot. The Georgians eventually held on for a 1-1 draw to keep themselves alive but Saba Lobzhanide spurned a glorious opportunity to take all three points with what was the final kick of the game.

PORTUGAL PREVIEW: GROUP WINNERS

Roberto Martinez led Portugal into UEFA EURO 2024 as one of the leading contenders for the trophy with a star-studded squad that put together an outstanding qualifying campaign in which they scored for fun and won all ten of their matches. They began in unconvincing fashion and needed to come from behind to defeat Czechia in their opener but turned on the style against Turkey.

In Dortmund on Saturday, Portugal survived a few early scares before moving up a few gears and eventually cruising to a 3-0 victory with goals from Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes sandwiching a comical own goal scored by Turkish centre-back Samet Akaydin. That win means they have already topped Group F.

GEORGIA TEAM NEWS: KITEISHVILI REMAINS A DOUBT

Willy Sagnol made one change to his Georgian side for their clash with Czechia and that was to bring in Zurito Davitashvili for Watford attacker Giorgi Chakvetadze. Chakvetadze performed well against Turkey, though, and it would be no surprise to see him return for this one.

PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Mamardashvili; Kvirkvelia, Kashia, Dvali; Kakabadze, Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili, Tsitaishvili; Chakvetadze, Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE: Kiteishvili (Injured)

PORTUGAL TEAM NEWS: LEAO OUT INJURED

With Portugal already qualified and through to the Round of 16, Roberto Martinez is expected to ring the changes in this one and Cristiano Ronaldo should drop out having played 180 minutes. Rafael Leao will be unavailable for this one.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Patricio; Cancelo, Silva, Inacio, Diogo Dalot; J. Neves, Joao Palhinha; Neto, Fernandes, Joao Felix; Goncalo Ramos

UNAVAILABLE: Leao (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

KEY STATS

  • Georgia and Portugal have met only once previously, with the Portuguese coming out on top 2-0 in a friendly on 31 May 2008.
  • Against Czechia, Georgia picked up their first point in a EURO group match.
  • Georgia have lost only two of their last nine international matches (W4 D3).
  • Georgia have only failed to score in one of their last 11 international matches.
  • Georgia have scored in the first half in six of their last seven international matches.
  • Georges Mikautadze has scored both of Georgia’s goals so far at EURO 2024.
  • Portugal have now qualified from their group in each of their nine EURO appearances.
  • Portugal have not finished top of a EURO final tournament group since EURO 2008, They won their group in four successive editions from 1996 to 2008.
  • Portugal have won all three matches in a EURO group only once, that was at EURO 2000.
  • Portugal have completed a EURO group without losing a match on four previous occasions (1984, 1996, 2000 and 2016).
  • Portugal have conceded one goal in two matches so far at the 2024 finals. Their best defensive record after three group matches is one goal conceded which they achieved in 1984 and 1996.
  • Portugal have won 15 of their last 17 international matches (L2).
  • Roberto Martínez has won all five of his EURO group stage matches as a coach (3 with Belgium at EURO 2020 and 2 with Portugal at EURO 2024).
  • Portugal have won all 12 competitive matches with Roberto Martínez as coach
  • Excluding penalty shoot-outs, Portugal have lost only two of their last 17 EURO matches (W9 D6).
  • Only two of Portugal’s 26 EURO group stage matches have finished without a goal being scored.
  • Portugal have only failed to score in one of their last 11 EURO matches.


GEORGIA VS PORTUGAL PREDICTION

Georgia have played some genuinely really nice football at this tournament so far and that will surely once again be the case as they face what could well be a second-string Portuguese side. They have quite a few attacking threats and it would be no surprise to see them score but even with a second-string side, the Portuguese should have enough to beat most teams in the competition so it could well be glorious failure for the Georgians.

GEORGIA VS PORTUGAL TIP: PORTUGAL TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE

TSZ Latest