As Euro Cup 2024 approaches, Portugal and the Czech Republic are set to face off in a highly anticipated matchup. This analysis delves into key stats, team form, head-to-head records, and predictions to provide a comprehensive preview of the game.
Key Stats & Insights
- Cristiano Ronaldo holds numerous records at the Euros, including most games played (25), most goals scored (14), joint-most assists (6), and scoring in the most editions (5).
- This will be the fourth European Championship encounter between Portugal and the Czech Republic since 1996. Only Italy and Spain have faced off more times in this period (5).
- The Czech Republic has shown better form than Portugal in their last five matches.
- Portugal has lost only once in their last five encounters with the Czech Republic across all competitions.
Team Form and Performance
Portugal – Last 10 Competitive Games
Portugal has been dominant, winning all their last 10 matches. They average 3.6 goals per game from 8.2 shots on target and 16.8 attempts. Possession stands at 64.7%, with 7.2 corners per game. Defensively, they concede just 0.2 goals per game from 1.7 shots on target and 4.6 attempts, while allowing 1.9 corners.
Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (10 goals), followed by Bruno Fernandes (6 goals) and Joao Cancelo (3 goals). Bruno Fernandes leads in assists with 8, and Diogo Costa has kept 4 clean sheets.
Czech Republic – Last 10 Competitive Games
The Czech Republic has recorded 4 wins, 3 losses, and 3 draws, averaging 1.3 goals per game from 4.7 shots on target and 13.4 attempts. They maintain 51.6% possession, earn 5.1 corners per match, and concede 1.2 goals per game from 2.8 shots on target and 7.6 attempts.
Top scorers: Tomas Soucek and Vaclav Cerny (3 goals each), Ladislav Krejci (2 goals). Tomas Chory, Vasil Kusej, and Tomas Soucek each have 1 assist.
Head-to-Head Records
Portugal and the Czech Republic will meet for the fourth time in a European Championship. The Czech Republic won their first meeting in 1996 (1-0), but Portugal won the subsequent matches (3-1 in 2008 and 1-0 in 2012). Portugal has won their last four matches against the Czech Republic across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one, with three clean sheets in their last three games.
Player Form and Availability
Portugal
Head Coach: Roberto Martínez
Expected lineup:
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Patrício
- Defenders: António Silva, Danilo Pereira, Diogo Dalot, Gonçalo Inácio, João Cancelo, Nélson Semedo, Nuno Mendes, Pepe, Rúben Dias
- Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, João Neves, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Neves, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva
- Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leão
Formation: 4-3-3
Czech Republic
Head Coach: Ivan Hašek
Expected lineup:
- Goalkeepers: Jindrich Stanek, Matej Kovár, Vítězslav Jaroš
- Defenders: David Doudera, David Jurásek, David Zima, Ladislav Krejci, Martin Vitík, Robin Hranác, Tomáš Holeš, Tomáš Vlcek, Vladimír Coufal
- Midfielders: Antonín Barák, Lukáš Červ, Lukáš Provod, Matej Jurásek, Ondrej Lingr, Pavel Šulc, Tomáš Souček
- Forwards: Václav Černý, Adam Hložek, Jan Kuchta, Mojmír Chytil, Patrik Schick, Tomáš Chory
Formation: 3-5-2
Market Analysis (Odds)
Portugal is heavily favored to win, with odds of 1.48 indicating a 68% chance of victory. The Czech Republic is priced as the underdog at 6.50. The odds for Over 2.5 Goals and Under 2.5 Goals are balanced, suggesting expectations of a potentially high-scoring game. Both Teams to Score market offers equal odds for Yes and No at 1.83.
Predictions
We anticipate a high-scoring game with both teams capable of contributing to the scoreline. Our recommendation is to back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.73 for this Euro 2024 match.
This detailed preview provides insights into team performances, key players, head-to-head records, and betting odds, offering fans and bettors a comprehensive look at the Euro Cup 2024 match between Portugal and the Czech Republic.