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After Portugal’s largely second-string side was beaten in stunning fashion by Georgia last time out, the Group F winners will be back to full strength for their Round of 16 encounter with Slovenia.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Monday 1st July, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – BBC / US – FOX
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – BBC iPlayer / US –VIX
PORTUGAL PREVIEW: LACK OF GOALS FOR RONALDO A CAUSE OF CONCERN
Despite having already secured top spot in Group F with two wins from two, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez chose to start Cristiano Ronaldo against Georgia, no doubt hoping the 39-year-old would open his account at the tournament. Unfortunately, the decision did not bear fruit with Ronaldo frustrated both by a heroic Georgian backline and the referee. An early goal on the counter-attack followed by a second-half penalty saw Georgia shock Portugal, winning by two goals to nil.
The loss is unlikely to be of much bother to Portugal, but it will understandably cause concern among their support. Of their three matches played so far, the only convincing performance was the 3-0 triumph over Türkiye and another misfire here could well see them dumped out.
SLOVENIA PREVIEW: SHOCK WIN OVER PORTUGAL SEES SLOVENIA MAKE HISTORY
Slovenia headed into the final round of Group C fixtures as arguably the biggest outsiders when it came to who would qualify for the knockout stage, with them on two points and up against England. However, a fantastic all-round showing full of solidity and discipline saw Matjaž Kek’s men earn a fully-deserved 0-0 draw, their third consecutive draw in the competition, which was enough to see them through as one of the best third-placed finishers.
It's important to note that Slovenia’s last game against Portugal came only back in late March of this year, a friendly in Ljubljana which the hosts won by two goals to nil, Portugal’s first loss in any fixture under the command of Roberto Martinez. That result coming just over three months ago will no doubt be fresh in the memory of the Slovenian players, fuelling their belief that an upset can be caused.
PORTUGAL TEAM NEWS: MARTINEZ TO BRING BACK BIG GUNS
It will be a different Portugal team to the one defeated by Georgia who take to the pitch from the start here. The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha were all rested in Hamburg but should be back in the side. Rafael Leao returns from suspension, but faces a fight for a place in the XI.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Mendes; Vitinha, Palhinha; Bernardo Silva, Fernandes, Felix; Ronaldo
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
SLOVENIA TEAM NEWS: KEK FORCED INTO CHANGE AT LEFT-BACK
Defender Erik Janza’s suspension means that Slovenia will be forced into altering their starting line-up who drew against England, with Alanyaspor’s Jure Balkovec expected to take his place. Sandi Lovric was among the substitutes in that game, but failed to get on the pitch as question marks regarding his fitness remain.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Karnicik, Drkusic, Bijol, Balkovec; Stojanovic, Gnezda Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko
UNAVAILABLE: Janza (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Lovric (Fitness)
KEY STATS
PORTUGAL VS SLOVENIA PREDICTION
We should see a contest fairly similar to Portugal’s first group stage fixture against Czechia, certainly in terms of how the two teams set up. Portugal will dominate possession and force the majority of play, but the onus will be on them to break Slovenia down, who like Czechia will be exceedingly difficult to crack, as England will attest to.
Many of Portugal’s key men having had an extended rest should work in their favour, especially as this match goes on and the Slovenian team begin to tire having no doubt spent so much of the game out of possession, chasing down Portuguese players. As was the case in that Czechia fixture, back Portugal to eventually break through Slovenia and force victory here.
PORTUGAL VS SLOVENIA TIP: PORTUGAL TO WIN