Portugal-Slovakia is a match valid for the seventh day of Euro 2024 qualifying Group J and is played Friday at 8:45 p.m.: predictions.
The one in which it was drawn was certainly not an iron group. But Roberto Martinez’s “new” Portugal fared admirably, dominating far and wide as it should have done given the huge gap to the other selections. No one like the Lusitanians, not even the only other two national teams with full points, Scotland and France.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates, in fact, did not leave even crumbs to their opponents: 18 points, 24 goals scored in six games and not even one conceded. An embarrassing dominance. Qualification, however, is not yet arithmetic: it will almost certainly come on this day, in the event of a victory with Slovakia, on paper the most accredited rival – so to speak – for first place, despite being five points down. But Portugal could also close the file by drawing, if at the same time Luxembourg emerges defeated from its challenge with Iceland. The Seleçao, however, is aiming to close on a high note, fresh from the nine goals it rifled last September against the hapless Luxembourgers (9-0). With Slovakia, on the other hand, it will be a real game: a month ago, in Bratislava, Martinez’s men did not have an easy time against the selection led by Italian Francesco Calzona, chastened by a goal from Bruno Fernandes late in the first half (0-1).
Maurizio Sarri’s former collaborator in the Napoli days surprised everyone: his Slovakia is second in the standings and has 7 points more than Iceland and Bosnia.
Lobotka vs. Liechtenstein
What were supposed to be the main competitors for second place behind the Portuguese. Luxembourg has only 3 fewer and, to date, is the most credible threat: it is no coincidence that it is the only selection that Slovakia, besides Portugal, has failed to beat: on the first day it did not go beyond a 0-0 draw. As for the lineups, Martinez has summoned 19-year-old Joao Neves of Benfica, who will start from the bench. In attack, with Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva, there will be one between Diogo Jota and Leao. On the other side, Calzona will send in several “Italians”: Gyomber, Duda and Lobotka.
The prediction
Slovakia has shown very good things so far, even against the same Portugal, which did not stroll in September as on other occasions. The Lusitanians should be able to impose themselves again this time, but we will not witness a goleada like with Luxembourg. Martinez’s selection is likely to manage to keep their goal unbeaten again.
Portugal-Slovakia probable lineups
- PORTOGALLO (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Dalot, Antonio Silva, Ruben Dias, Cancelo; Vitinha, Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota.
- SLOVAKIA (4-3-3): Dubravka; Tomic, Gyomber, Skriniar, Hancko; Duda, Lobotka, Benes; Mak, Bozenik, Haraslin.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
