Sabasports Match Preview
Euro 2024: Portugal vs Czechia
Kickoff Time: 2024-06-19 03:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Rodrigo Antunes
Although the hype surrounding Portugal’s championship aspirations may not match the fervor of England, France, or Germany, they are still a formidable contender in this European Championship. Having claimed the European Championship title in 2016, Portugal boast world-class talent across their front, midfield, and defense lines. Since Roberto Martinez took the helm, Portugal’s performances in the qualifying rounds have warranted recognition. Martinez prefers to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, with Bruno Fernandes serving as the cornerstone of his tactical setup. His positioning and distribution of the ball are paramount. Another pivotal figure is Bernardo Silva. While he may not be the most explosive player, he possesses excellent ball control, skill, and evasion abilities. In terms of positional attacking, Portugal heavily rely on Bernardo Silva’s ability to retain and distribute the ball, enabling precision delivery and impact in the penalty area. Additionally, Bernardo Silva can drop back into midfield to hold possession when the opposition presses high. Moreover, the veteran Cristiano Ronaldo remains Portugal’s captain. His performances against Ireland showcased his continued prowess, proving to the world that he remains a valuable asset to Portugal.
In recent years, Czechia have exhibited impressive overall performance. Despite not shining brightly in Europe’s elite competitions, their strength should not be overlooked. Familiar faces abound in their lineup, including Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, who have plied their trade at West Ham United, as well as Bayern Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick. Adam Hlozek is another notable mention. Czechia primarily adopt a 3-4-1-2 formation, emphasizing a high-pressing tactical approach. They generate threats through the relentless forward surges of their full-backs. Depending on the flow of the game, Czechia are capable of shifting to a 3-4-3 formation or a four-man defense. Regardless of the formation, their primary offensive strategy involves wide distribution of the ball, seeking to funnel passes into the opponent’s penalty area. On the defensive side, Czechia have maintained their aggressive pressing style during the qualifiers. They are quick to counterattack after conceding possession, launching efficient counter-offensive moves.
When comparing the overall strength of Portugal and Czechia, it’s evident that Portugal boast superior depth and quality. In terms of positional superiority and overall influence, Portugal even eclipse their championship-winning side from 2016. Czechia’s lineup finds it challenging to match Portugal’s roster. Furthermore, Portugal hold a decisive advantage in the historical head-to-head record between them. Taken together, with their outstanding strength, Portugal are expected to prevail over their opponent and make a strong start in the group stage of the European Championship.
Portugal’s Last 5 Games: WLWLW
24-06-12 Portugal 3-0 Ireland
24-06-09 Portugal 1-2 Croatia
24-06-05 Portugal 4-2 Finland
24-03-27 Slovenia 2-0 Portugal
24-03-22 Portugal 5-2 Sweden
Czechia’s Last 5 Games: WWWWW
24-06-10 Czechia 2-1 North Macedonia
24-06-07 Czechia 7-1 Malta
24-03-27 Czechia 2-1 Armenia
24-03-23 Norway 1-2 Czechia
23-11-21 Czechia 3-0 Moldova
Head To Head Record:
22-09-25 Czechia 0-4 Portugal
22-06-10 Portugal 2-0 Czechia
12-06-22 Czechia 0-1 Portugal
08-06-11 Czechia 1-3 Portugal
Prediction: Portugal to win