Euro 2024 Round of 16: Portugal vs. Slovenia - Who's Playing, Any Injuries, Predictions, and How to Catch the Action.
Hey there, Euro 2024 fans! We're heading into the knockout rounds and Portugal is set to go head-to-head with Slovenia on Monday in a game that's sure to keep us all on the edge of our seats. Both teams have had their fair share of surprises and challenges in the tournament so far, so this Round of 16 showdown in Frankfurt is gonna be a doozy!
What's the Scoop on the Teams?
Portugal
Good news for Portugal! They're coming into this match with all their big players back in action, including Rafael Leao, who's been sitting out because of a suspension. That's a pretty big deal for them.
The Starting Eleven We're Looking At
Goalie Diogo Costa
Defenders Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes
Midfielders Vitinha, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes
Forwards Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo (yep, the legend himself), and Rafael Leao
Slovenia
These guys are also pretty healthy, but their star striker, Benjamin Sesko, has been dealing with some quad issues. He played against England, though, so he's probably gonna be good to go for this match. But, they're gonna be without left-back Erik Janza because of a yellow card suspension. Bummer.
Expected Lineup
Goalie Jan Oblak
Defenders Zan Karnicnik, Vanja Drkusic, Jaka Bijol, Jure Balkovec
Midfielders Petar Stojanovic, Timi Max Elsnik, Gnezda Cerin, Jan Mlakar
Forwards Andraz Sporar, Benjamin Sesko
Who's Played Who Before?
These two teams have only faced each other once before, and guess what? Slovenia won that friendly match back in March. They scored twice, thanks to Cerin and Elsnik, and stopped Portugal's 11-game winning streak. Crazy, right?
What's Been Going On?
Portugal
Portugal had a bit of a shaky moment when they lost 2-0 to Georgia in their last group game, but hey, they still managed to come out on top of Group F with wins over the Czech Republic and Turkey. Coach Roberto Martinez took a risk resting some guys against Georgia, and it didn't pay off, but he'll be playing his heavy hitters this time around.
Slovenia
Slovenia is making history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time ever! They played three tie games in Group C, and that goalless match against England was huge for them. They're not just here to make up the numbers, folks.
So, Who's Gonna Win?
Portugal is the team to beat here, with their superstar lineup and experience in big games. But don't count Slovenia out just yet. They're playing with house money and have nothing to lose. It's gonna be a battle for sure, especially with Portugal's attacking trio looking to break through Slovenia's tough defense.
Gut Feeling: Portugal 2-1 Slovenia
How to Watch This Thriller
You've got a couple of ways to catch the game:
- Stream It Live: Just hit up the BBC Sport website or app.
- On the Telly: Tune into BBC One at 20:00 BST for the live action.
- Radio Commentary: If you're on the go, you can still keep up with the excitement on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Some Interesting Bits
- Portugal Fact: They've made it out of the group stage in every Euro tournament they've been in. Nine for nine!
- Slovenia Trivia: They're one of three teams to have three draws in the group stage of a Euro tournament.