In the second game on Monday at Euro 2024, we have another game from the last 16 round. This time, Portugal are involved and they take on Slovenia. Portugal won their group, and are big favourites to win this game, while Slovenia were surprise qualifiers in third place from Group C, and come here with absolutely zero expectations on their backs, they've already overachieved in the tournament to get to this stage.
Portugal Form GuideIn their opening two games, Portugal really impressed me, and looked like a team that could go places in the tournament. That's still possible, but they've ended up on the bad side of the draw, and come here on the back of a disappointing defeat against Georgia in their third game.
It must be said that Portugal were already group winners, and rested players that day, but I don't think it's good for morale though. Before that, good wins over the Czech Republic and Turkey in their first two games. They showed some real attacking intent in those, and look dangerous almost every time they go forward with the ball.
Slovenia Form GuideSlovenia come here, and of the sides in the last 16 phase, they are one of just a small number that genuinely have no expectations at all, with nothing to lose and of course, everything to gain. They qualified as the third placed side from Group C, and actually went through the group stage unbeaten, drawing all three of their games.
They were winning until the last minute against Serbia, had they won that, they could have been group winners here, which would have been an incredible achievement. A draw with Denmark and one with England rounded off their group, with the England draw showing how resilient they can be, holding England out to a 0-0 tie.
Match PredictionI think Slovenia can keep this tight here. I'm not sure it will be enough for them to win the game, so I think the bet to have here is Slovenia +1.5 on the handicap line. That covers them to win the game, a draw in 90 minutes, or them to lose by one. I can't see Portugal beating them comfortably here.
