Portugal v Slovenia Betting Tips [1 July 2024]

For the ninth time in as many attempts, Portugal advanced from the group stages of the European Championship. They are set to take on Slovenia in the Round of 16, looking to build on their opening two wins in this tournament. Roberto Martinez made changes for the third group game, his team going on to lose 2-0 to minnows Georgia. They had already qualified as group winners and now the 2016 champions have to rise from the loss. Among the talking points going into this game, Martinez will remember Slovenia as the team that handed him a first defeat as Portugal manager. That was in a friendly match earlier this year. Portugal will also remember it is at this stage that their title defence ended in the last edition. It doesn’t get easier for Portugal from now on, and they’ll need their best men to perform. A win here sets them for a quarter final against France or Belgium.

Slovenia will be happy to slot in here as the underdogs again. This is their very first time at this stage of the competition and will be looking to continue with their fairy tale. A 0-0 draw with England completed an unbeaten run at the group stages in only their second Euro appearance. Interestingly, Slovenia are still searching for their first ever win at the European Championship as they prepare for the seventh game. Of those seven matches, they’ve only lost once, to Spain at Euro 2000. Slovenia’s draw with England extended their undefeated run to nine matches. They've won four times in that run, while they have one defeat only in 15 matches. Going by this run, Slovenia could be a tricky opponent, as they target a win in their first ever competitive game against Portugal.

Portugal will be back to full strength when they face Slovenia after resting players for the final group game. As such, they will go into the game as favorites. However, it will not be easy against this Slovenia side that comes to this encounter under lesser pressure. Slovenia will definitely set out to frustrate Portugal, who have been found to be shaky defensively. Slovenia themselves aren’t the most solid at the back either. Our prediction for Portugal v Slovenia is for both teams to score.