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EURO 2024: Portugal vs Czech Republic 18th June

The final first round match for the EURO 2024 group stages will be played between Portugal and Czech Republic. Both teams will be looking to start the tournament with three points in Leipzig.

Match Information

Match Details

Date & Venue:

• Tuesday 18th June @20:00
• Venue: Red Bull Arena

Broadcast Information:

• TV Channels & Streaming Options: BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online

Read on to find out more about starting lineups, game schedules, and TV broadcasts:

–> TV Broadcast: Portugal vs Czech Republic
–> Where will EURO 2024 be broadcast? See full EURO TV schedule
–> Back to all Sports: All Sports on TV

Portugal Outsiders for European Championship Glory

There are many experts out there who see Portugal as strong contenders to fight for the European Championship this summer. Former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has several big stars in his squad to help achieve this goal, with the obvious big name being Cristiano Ronaldo.

On their way to the finals in Germany, Portugal were the only team to win all of their matches in the qualifying stage. In those games, Ronaldo was yet again the main man despite being 39 years old, with his ten goals only surpassed by Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku to become top scorer for the qualifiers.

In 2024, the results have not been as solid for Portugal, who have won three and lost two of their previous five games ahead of the Euros. Their warm up fixture, however, ended in a comfortable 3-0 win at home against Northern Ireland, with Ronaldo bagging a brace on the night. Will he continue his fine goalscoring form against Czech Republic on Tuesday night?

Czech Republic to Play in 8th Consecutive European Championship

The Czech Republic has been a constant participant in the Euros since the division from Czechoslovakia in 1993. Debuting in the Euros in 1996, they progressed all the way to the final, and also won bronze in 2004. In the last tournament, they made it to the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by the Netherlands.

Czech Republic have also been knocked out three times in the group stage, but they definitely have a strong chance of making it out of Group F this time around. Their final game against Turkey will be key, but they need to get something out of the opener against group favourites, Portugal.

Warming up for the tournament, Czech Republic managed to win all four matches in 2024, albeit against much lesser opposition in Malta (7-1), and North Macedonia (2-1). Additionally, with good form at the back, Portugal will find them tough to break down in Leipzig.

Match Predictions: Portugal vs Czech Republic

Expectedly, Portugal are the favourites to win Group G, whilst Czech Republic will have a fight on their hands to qualify. For this reason, it’s expected by many that Portugal will claim three points from this game, but will need to be weary of a Czech Republic side in good form.

Previous Meetings

Portugal and Czech Republic have met on just five occasions in the past. Three of these meetings have come during previous European Championships, whilst the last two occurred in the Nations League. The Czech Republic came out on top in the first fixture between the two back in 1996 with a 1-0 win, where Karel Poborsky scored the winner in the quarter-finals.

Since then, Portugal have dominated in all four meetings, whilst conceding just one goal and keeping a clean sheet in the last three, and winning 4-0 in Prague in their last game. The numbers speak for themselves ahead of this Group F clash.

• 24/09/22, Nations League: Czech Republic – Portugal 0-4
• 06/09/22, Nations League: Portugal – Czech Republic 2-0
• 21.06.12, football European Championship: Czech Republic – Portugal 0-1
• 11.06.08, football EC: Czech Republic – Portugal 1-3
• 23.06.96, European Football Championship: Czech Republic – Portugal 1-0

Predicted Lineups: Portugal vs Czech Republic

So, who will emerge victorious in Leipzig? Here’s how we see both teams lining up tomorrow night.

Portugal Possible Starting XI

• Formation (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Rafael Leão, Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva

Czech Republic Possible Starting XI

• Formation (3-5-2): Staněk; Holeš, Hranáč, Krejčí; Coufal, Souček, Provod, Barák, David Jurásek; Buy it, Schick

Where/How to Watch Italy vs Albania EURO 2024

Match Schedule

• Date and Time: June 18th at 20:00.

Broadcast Channels

• BBC One

Live Streaming Options

• BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online

FAQ