Slovenia vs Portugal Preview:
- Date: 26 March, Tuesday
- Kick-off Time: 7:45 PM (GMT)
- Stadium: Stozice Stadium
Slovenia will host European giants Portugal in their second friendly of the March international break at the Stozice stadium in Slovenia. The Jan Oblak-led side were in action last week as well as they salvaged a 2-2 draw against Malta. While the result might’ve been disappointing, the Slovenian team has improved drastically in the last few years and even managed to secure a spot in the Euros. The feat saw them qualify for their first Euros since 2000 and they will look to make an impressive comeback to the European tournament. A tie against 2016 Euro champions Portugal will help Slovenia assess how prepared they are for the tournament in Germany later this year.
Meanwhile, the visiting side is Portugal. The Portuguese side had a lackluster outing in the 2022 World Cup, but have been in fine form since the conclusion of the tournament. Their latest outing saw them trash Sweden by a 5-2 margin displaying their dominance. The victory also came in the absence of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. He is likely to return for the Slovenia match which might worry the European minnows. Portugal will look to rotate their team a little as they look to find the best squad for the Euro 2024, a tournament they will enter as one of the favorites.
Slovenia vs Portugal Team News:
Slovenia:
The Slovenians have been in some sensational form recently. The Jan Oblak side rallied to seven impressive victories in their Euro qualification group to secure a berth in the summer tournament. Their form shocked several and many even expect them to even be a dark horse in their first return to the tournament since 2000. However, Slovenia doesn’t have a lot of squad depth and it will be important that crucial players remain injury-free as the tournament approaches.
Jan Oblak will once again lead the team from goal against Portugal as the young team looks to defeat Portugal. Slovenia will host the Portuguese side with a fully stacked squad which is also well rested.
Portugal:
Portugal’s attacking prowess has dazzled all and even the harshest of critics are running out of words to describe the attacking ability of the squad. Since their early elimination from the World Cup in 2022, Portugal has been on an unbeaten streak and has won 11 games in a row. In those 11 games, the Cristiano Ronaldo side has scored a whopping 41 goals while conceding only a meager 4 goals. This impressive run seems to have stemmed from their underwhelming World Cup performance and they seem hell-bent on winning the Euros in Germany later this year.
While Portugal sailed to another victory last week against Sweden, Slovenia will be more worried as Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to return to the squad ahead of the game. Portugal will arrive in Slovenia with a fresh squad, free of any injuries ready to make the Slovenians their next victims on this crusade to the Euro 2024.
Slovenia vs Portugal Predicted Lineups:
Slovenia Predicted XI:
Jan Oblak(GK, C), Petar Stojanovic, Vanja Drusic, Jaka Bijol, Jure Balkovec, Tomi Horvat, Adam Gnezda Cerin, Jasmin Kurtic, Jan Mlaker, Andraz Sporar, Benjamin Sesko
Portugal Predicted XI:
Rui Patrício (GK), Joao Mario, Pepe, Ruben Dias, João Cancelo, Matheus Nunes, João Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix
Slovenia vs Portugal Head-to-Head Record:
Interestingly Slovenia and Portugal have never faced each other in the 21st century. The international friendly on 26th March will be the first instance of the two footballing nations facing each other in a competitive football game. While Portugal enters the game as favorites, Slovenia could look to upset the big giants.
Slovenia vs Portugal Prediction:
In this battle between European giants and minnows, it is highly unlikely that Slovenia will manage to emerge victorious. Portugal are on an impressive run of 11 consecutive victories and seems undefeatable. With the return of several key figures like Joao Cancelo, Joao Felix, and Cristiano Ronaldo to the squad, Slovenia will have a tough time in containing the free-flowing Portuguese attack.
Meanwhile, Slovenia will look to defend deep and will look to enable Benjamin Sesko on the counter in an attempt to score against Portugal. The striker has been clinical in front of goal this season and won’t require too many opportunities to score. Slovenia vs Portugal has the potential to be a goal feast if Slovenia fails to contain the attack of Portugal early on.
Predicted Score: Slovenia 0-3 Portugal
Slovenia vs Portugal Betting Tips and Odds:
Bookmakers expect Portugal to win the game comfortably and expect Portugal to score at least two goals.
- Slovenia win: 5.20
- Draw: 3.75
- Portugal win: 1.60
Odds Source: Oddspedia.com
Bookmaker: Stake
Where to watch Slovenia vs Portugal:
- India: Sony Ten Network, SonyLIV
- UK: No broadcaster
- USA: FOX
- Portugal: DAZN
- Slovenia: DAZN
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