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Ronaldo’s elimination would be a big surprise – free tips
Slovenia are still unbeaten at the European Championship, but it would be a huge feat if they stay that way.
Hungarians will be watching Monday night’s Portugal-Slovenia match from Frankfurt with somewhat bitter eyes, as they have long been expecting the Hungarian national team to play here. But instead of themselves, they will have to cheer for revenge against Slovenia, to show Ronaldo and his team that it was a waste to have a reserve against Georgia – an absurd idea, of course, as the Portuguese did not rotate to play Slovenia and not Hungary. Sesko’s already won once in March this year. Will they pull off the miracle again? We checked the best tips with 22bet!
Slovenia also managed to do what many of their neighbours have done – qualify, and Matjaz Kek’s side were clearly the weakest of the England-Denmark-Serbia foursome. The Slovenians finished this group unbeaten (and winless), so every minute on the pitch from now on is a gift.
The independent Slovenia has achieved its greatest success, having played in just three tournaments since 1990, but never making it through.
The run of draws has also built up quite a nice streak, as Seskó’s side have only 1 defeat in their last 15 games, but they have also beaten the likes of Portugal, who they face in Frankfurt. It would obviously be a mistake to start from a friendly, especially as only Costa, Pepe, Vitinha, Cancelo and Cristiano Ronaldo were left out of the Luciano’s provisional starting line-up.
“A match in March? Come on, these are two completely different events, if we start from 2-0 we’ll be in big trouble. We can’t take the attitude that we’ve beaten them once before, because everyone knows Portugal are the favourites.
But I always had the feeling that we were in for something special at this tournament and the players believed in themselves. We know what our goals are and what our mission is. We’re a small national team, but we’ve made it to the big stage and we’re probably the most ‘exotic’ team in this field, along with Georgia,” said Kek, optimistically.
Slovenia’s progression is to be applauded if only because Serbia sang their hearts out in the 95th minute to win their second group game, so it was a particularly great feat that they were able to hold the English to 0-0.
The Slovenians are hardly likely, but the Portuguese may be under the pressure of being favourites. Even though Roberto Martínez’s side suffered a straightforward defeat to Georgia after two wins, this fiasco does not and will not have any particular significance. The majority of the Luzitan players have been rested for this round of 16 tie, and Rafa Leao could be in the starting line-up after serving his ban.
Although the Slovenian team is still unbeaten, it’s clear that the Portuguese will go through. When they needed to, Ronaldo and his team played some demonstrative football to show why Portugal are the favourites for the European Championship.
Portugal had the second most shots, the most attacks, the most deceptions and the highest percentage of possession during the group stage.
Anything short of a Portuguese success would be a surprise, but it will be hard to break the Slovenians’ deadlock. We expect a game a bit like Germany vs Denmark, with plenty of chances for the favourites and a lot of saves from the Slovenian goalkeeper.
