Euro 2016: Poland vs Portugal Betting Preview

Kick off: Thursday, June 30, @8:00 PM GMT

Venue: Stade Velodrome (Marseille)

Head to head record

Poland vs Portugal 0-0 (2012 Friendly International)
Portugal vs Poland 2-2 (Euro 2008 qualifiers)
Poland vs Portugal 2-1 (Euro 2008 qualifiers)
Portugal vs Poland 4-0 (2002 World Cup)
Poland vs Portugal 1-0 (1986 World Cup)

Poland vs Portugal prediction

Having survived Croatia in the last 16, Portugal will be looking to move one step closer to winning their first ever European Championship trophy with a victory over Poland on Thursday evening. The Poles eliminated Switzerland in the previous round, but it remains to be seen if they are capable of upsetting A Selecao.

Low-scoring games

Poland recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in the opening match of their Euro 2016 campaign. Adam Nawalka’s men then shared the spoils with Germany in their second group game and thanks to Kuba’s goal the team booked their place in the knockout stages. Despite conceding a late goal in the clash against Switzerland, Poland eventually eliminated the Rossocrociati on penalties and it has to be noted that they have conceded no more than one goal at the tournament in France to date. The Poles are likely to rely on their rock-solid defence in Thursday’s clash against Portugal, but you should bear in mind that Switzerland had 29 goal attempts in the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard clash. Robert Lewandowski has been struggling in front of goal at the 2016 European Championship finals, but the Bayern Munich attacker is widely expected to lead the line for Adam Nawalka’s charges against Portugal.

Wojciech Szczesny is doubtful and he faces a late fitness test, but the good news is that Bartosz Kapustka returns from suspension. Adam Nawalka is likely to stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation.

Now or never

It has been 12 years since Portugal took part in the European Championship final. A Selecao were beaten by Greece in the title game back then and they are eager to go all the way at the showpiece tournament in France. Fernando Santos’ men failed to impress in the group stages, but thanks to a high-scoring draw (3-3) with Hungary Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. booked their place in the last 16. Portugal looked solid at the back in the 1-0 win over Croatia and they totally deserved to advance to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals. CR7 has netted two goals at the tournament so far, while providing two assists for his teammates and, no doubt, the opposition defenders should have their work cut out for them when facing the Real Madrid superstar. Ricardo Quaresma scored the winner against Croatia and, as reports in Portugal suggest, the former Barcelona man is likely to start this time out.
Fernando Santos has no fresh selection worries ahead of the Poland game and he is unlikely to make too many changes to the team that faced Croatia. Adrien Silva, Cedric Soares and Jose Fonte should retain their places in the starting XI.

Interesting facts

• Poland are undefeated in last three encounters against Portugal
• Adam Nawalka’s men suffered only one loss in previous 13 games
• Poland managed to keep a clean sheet in each of their three group games at Euro 2016
• Cristiano Ronaldo has netted 60 goals for the Portugal national team to date
• Under 2.5 goals were scored in each of Poland’s previous five matches

Poland vs Portugal betting pick

Portugal experienced all sorts of problems at the back in the group stages, but A Selecao defenders impressed in the 1-0 win over Croatia. Fernando Santos’s men are likely to adopt a cautious approach against Poland and considering that Adam Nawalka’s team have conceded no more than one goal at the showpiece tournament in France to date, under 2.5 goals bet appears on the horizon.

Pick: Under 2 goals

Odds: 3/4