Euro 2024 - Portugal vs Czechia: Team News and Prediction

Portugal take on Czechia in Group F tonight to see out the first round of Euro 2024 games. 

Ahead of this one, we provide the key pre-match information, including what time this fixture kicks off, team news, probable XIs and the key battle. 

When is kick off?              

Tuesday 18th June, 20:00 (GMT)             

Where is the match?             

Red Bull Arena, Leipzig (Germany) 

Team News 

Portugal have a clean bill of health heading into their Group F opener against Czechia and Roberto Martinez has a strong squad to select from. Even so, Martinez may opt for experience in defence and attack, respectively, with Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo set to start. Nuno Mendes should get the nod at left-back, which would see Joao Cancelo move to right-back, while Joao Palhinha is set to anchor the midfield.  

Michal Sadilek would have been a starter for Czechia but he pulled up with injury prior to Euro 2024 and misses out. Ivan Hasek is tipped to go with a 3-5-2 setup, with West Ham pair Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal set to start. Patrik Schick, who finished Euro 2020 as joint top scorer with Ronaldo (5) is expected to feature on the frontline. 

Probable XIs 

Portugal (433) - Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes; Vitinha, Palhinha, Fernandes; Silva, Ronaldo, Leao 

Czechia (352) - Stanek; Holes, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Provod, Soucek, Barak, Jurasek; Kuchta, Schick

Key Battle

Bruno Fernandes was superb for Manchester United last season even as Erik ten Hag's side flattered to deceive. Fernandes made more key passes (114) than any other player in England's top tier and while that translated to just eight league assists, with the firepower at Portugal's disposal; the 29-year-old should quickly rise up the assists leaderboard at Euro 2024.

It'll be a familiar face out to keep Fernandes quiet in Leipzig tonight. Tomas Soucek may not be required to showcase the defensive side to his game for West Ham as frequently as he once did following the summer signing of Edson Alvarez, but he's still a handy ball winner for the national team, and his work off the ball will be vital as Czechia look to claim a result tonight.

Score Prediction: Portugal 3-1 Czechia