Portugal vs Slovakia Preview: Clash of Defenses in UEFA Euro Qualifiers
Portugal Dominant So Far
Both Teams Defending Excellently
Portugal have been the most dominant team in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers so far. Through six matches, Portugal have scored 24 goals and conceded none. Our Portugal vs Slovakia preview notes that Slovakia have only conceded twice in six games. So, when these teams face off on Friday, two excellent defenses will be on display. We’ll take a look at the latest team news and odds as Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal host Slovakia.
âš½ Portugal vs Slovakia âš½
Day/Time:
Location: Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal
Head-to-Head
Last month, Portugal went on the road to Slovakia and came away with a 1-0 win as Bruno Fernandes scored the game’s only goal. All-time, Portugal have compiled a 4-1-0 record vs Slovakia with a 2-0 record at home. Portugal vs Slovakia previews note that Slovakia are yet to score vs Portugal on Portuguese soil.
Portugal Lead Field in Goals
With 24 goals, Portugal have scored the most of any team in the UEFA Euro qualifiers stats. They’ve averaged four goals per game and Cristiano Ronaldo leads the team, with five goals. Ronaldo, the all-time leading international goalscorer, is Portugal’s captain and still a key player under coach Roberto Martinez. Martinez’s tenure has gotten off to an excellent start and he and Portugal will look to remain perfect on Friday.
Along with Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva have made key offensive contributions for Portugal. Fernandes, Manchester United’s captain, has scored four goals and provided five assists. He’s currently a joint-assist leader in Euro qualifiers. Meanwhile, Silva has scored three goals and dished out three assists.
Should Portugal win and Luxembourg draw or lose to Iceland, Portugal will seal qualification to next Summer’s Euros with three games left on the UEFA Euro qualifiers schedule. Portugal will be missing Nuno Mendes and Renato Sanches but have an incredibly deep squad. Antonio Silva, a 19-year old center back, has nailed down a place in the starting XI alongside Ruben Dias. Portugal also have the likes of Rafael Leao, Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos in forward areas.
Slovakia Not to be Underestimated
Slovakia have qualified for each of the last two European championships and are nearing qualification for Germany 2024. Currently, Slovakia are in second place in the Group J UEFA Euro qualifiers standings with a 4-1-1 record. In September, Slovakia fell 1-0 at home to Portugal and won 3-0 vs Liechtenstein. David Hancko, Ondrej Duda and Robert Mak all got in the scoresheet within the first ten minutes in the next match vs Liechtenstein.
In six matches, Slovakia have kept four clean sheets and have averaged 1.3 goals per game. The Sokoli are strongest in midfield, where they have players like Napoli’s Stanislav Lobotka, Verona’s Ondrej Duda and veteran Juraj Kucka. Paris Saint-Germain’s Milan Skriniar also spearheads the backline and we can expect to see Premier League veteran Martin Dubravka in goal.
Although Slovakia lost last month’s match to Portugal, it wasn’t at all a lopsided game. Slovakia stayed in the match and created a few chances of their own. Slovakia lack a prolific striker but their defense and midfield have carried them so far as they’ve conceded just two goals in six matches.
Match Analysis & Odds
Portugal enter this match as -500 moneyline favorites and it’s easy to see why given their form under Roberto Martinez. Still, they have had a few close calls lately, with recent 1-0 wins over Iceland and Slovakia. Portugal -1.5, -2 comes in at -115 odds but don’t be surprised to see Slovakia make this a game once again. Our Portugal vs Slovakia preview notes that visitors Slovakia are +1100 underdogs, corresponding to an 8.3 percent chance of victory.
Although Slovakia have never defeated Portugal, each of the last four meetings have been decided by two goals or fewer. Here, Slovakia +1.5, +2 displays -110 odds as any result would be excellent for Francesco Calzona’s men. Bettors can also find a draw at +500 odds but Portugal should certainly be motivated to extend their winning streak to seven.
Under three goals show -135 odds as it figures to be hard for Slovakia to get on the scoresheet here. Portugal’s defense deserves a lot of credit for their winning streak and Slovakia tend to limit their opponents’ chances as well.
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