A good group stage draw, a squad blessed with expertise from again to entrance and a formidable run of kind in aggressive fixtures: on paper Portugal ought to have every thing that’s required to win the European Championships. Whether or not these elements might be reworked right into a profitable aspect is maybe the one query hanging over the 2016 champions.

A lot might rely on the impression of Cristiano Ronaldo, who will make historical past as the primary participant to function in six European Championships. The targets have nonetheless flowed steadily for the file scorer in males’s worldwide soccer since his transfer to Al-Nassr, however there stay questions as as to if his presence hinders the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leao. All these gamers will likely be anticipated to start out with a bang towards Czechia, who got here second in a comparatively favorable qualifying group and loved a great begin to 2024 of their warm-up friendlies. Right here is how one can watch the match and what it is advisable know:

Viewing info

• Date: Sunday, June 16 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Leipzig Stadium — Leipzig, Germany
• TV: Fox Sports activities 1 | Dwell stream:  Fubo (attempt without spending a dime)
• Odds: Portugal -200; Draw +340; Czechia +550

Group E outlook

Portugal would seem like heavy favorites to flee Group E and accomplish that in type, provided that not one of the different three groups they’ll face off towards are within the prime 35 of FIFA’s world rankings. Roberto Martinez’s aspect are at the moment positioned sixth. The Czechs have loved success on the Euros in latest reminiscence, reaching the quarterfinals three years in the past off the again of the scoring type of Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick.

Turkey had been thought-about darkish horses for that match, however as a substitute crashed out and not using a level to their identify, their solely purpose coming after they had been effectively on their solution to being defeated by Switzerland. For Georgia there aren’t any such disappointments to make amends for. Certainly the Crusaders, coached by former France worldwide, are taking part in of their first main worldwide match.

Workforce information

Portugal: With Ronaldo anticipated to start out the opener the massive query for Martinez will likely be learn how to encompass him with the most effective mix of expertise. Rafael Leao and Joao Felix will likely be vying for a spot on the left wing, Bernardo Silva doubtless on the fitting. Ronaldo is just not the one veteran trying to maintain on to his place, 41-year-old Pepe in line to start out forward of Goncalo Inacio on the again alongside Ruben Dias.

Attainable Portugal XI: Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha; Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo

Czechia: There may be all the time one weird harm within the lead as much as a serious match, the goal is to ensure it is not you. As such Michal Sadilek actually ought to have averted the bike experience he took a day after captaining his nation, struggling a extreme harm that meant he would miss the Euros. In his place anticipate Tomas Soucek, Lukas Provod and Antonin Barak to make up the midfield three for Ivan Hasek’s aspect.

Attainable Czechia XI: Stanek; Holes, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Provod, Barak, D. Jurasek; Kuchta, Schick

Prediction

Anticipate this match to start in customary vogue for Portugal, who ought to get the job finished in pretty underwhelming vogue. PICK: Portugal 2, Czechia 0 

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