Euro 2024: Portugal vs Czech Republic betting preview

Portugal and the Czech Republic will begin their Euro 2024 campaigns on Tuesday, June 18th with a Group F clash at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. The kick-off here is scheduled for 3 PM ET. The Portuguese are considered one of the favorites to lift the trophy with an experienced squad led by Cristiano Ronaldo. Of course, they also won it all in 2016, despite their talisman getting injured in the final. As for the Czechs, there aren’t high expectations for them but Ivan Hasek’s side did make the quarterfinals at Euro 2020. They have a chance in this pod.

Portugal

When you look at all of the countries participating in Euro 2024, Portugal could very well have the best chemistry of them all. This group has been together for quite some time now and this is likely Ronaldo’s last kick at the can. The 39-year-old just put together a breathtaking season at Saudi outfit Al Nassr, scoring 35 goals and tallying 11 assists. He will undoubtedly be a key figure for Selecao as they look to finish at the top of Group F.

Portugal has a nice mix of youth and experience. Players like Ruben Dias, Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Pepe, Goncalo Ramos, Bruno Fernandes, and Nuno Mendes, among others. Most of these players on Portugal play across Europe’s top five leagues for a lot of big clubs. Seleco is a deserving contender at Euro 2024 and enters the tournament in good form, winning four of their last six games.

The Portuguese were also brilliant in Euro Qualifying, finishing with a perfect 10-0-0 record. Sure, their group wasn’t the most difficult, but regardless, it was an impressive showing. Portugal’s Euro 2024 odds are top three in the tournament and they’re a heavy favorite on Tuesday at Bodog at -200.

Czech Republic

The Czechs are also playing well as of late, winning five consecutive games ahead of Tuesday’s opener. Their most recent victory was a 2-1 friendly over North Macedonia on June 10th, with Patrik Schick and Antonin Barak producing the goods. Schick is arguably their best player, a prolific finisher who has been a go-to figure for the Czechs many times before. He’s scored 19 goals for his country and just had an impressive campaign for Bayer Leverkusen as they won the Bundesliga.

The Czech Republic nearly always makes the Euros and has made the quarterfinals twice since 2012. They were even in the semifinals way back in 2004, too. This is a side that is capable of making a deep run and they even finished above Poland in qualifying as well. As previously mentioned, Group F is wide open outside of Portugal. The Czechs should honestly lock down second spot over Turkey and Georgia.

When it comes to facing Selecao however, history is not on their side. The Czech Republic has lost four of their five meetings with Portugal and was hammered 4-0 in the 2022 Nations League campaign. That’s a huge reason they’re an underdog at soccer betting sites.

Injury news

There are no notable injuries for either team on Tuesday, which means we’ll see full-strength starting XIs on both sides. Ronaldo will of course be the main man up top for Portugal, but it will be interesting to see who Roberto Martinez picks to accompany Cristiano. He has lots of options. Schick will lead the line for the Czechs.