Poland VS Portugal Match Prediction

  • Logo2016-06-30
  • Logo19:00:00
Poland
VS
Portugal

Our Prediction Tip

Draw will win this match.

The head-to-head record for this tie is very close, with Poland have three wins compared to Portugal's four victories. But in recent years Poland have had the edge over Portugal and they are unbeaten in their last five meetings. The teams were drawn in the same qualifying group for Euro 2008, with Poland winning 2-1 at home and drawing 2-2 in Portugal in the return game. However, Portugal beat Poland 4-0 in the 2002 World Cup finals.

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Poland v Portugal: Prediction

It is a sign of how strange the European Championship has been that neither of these sides have played particularly well, yet find themselves in the quarter-finals. Portugal's reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo is greater than ever and the Real Madrid star looks tired after another long, exhausting domestic campaign. But Poland's star man, Robert Lewandowski, is also have a poor tournament. Whichever of those two key players fires could decide who goes through to the semi-finals.

Poland v Portugal: Betting Tips

Portugal have been made favourites, perhaps due to Ronaldo's star power, with a price of 5/4 available on Portugal to win in 90 minutes, while Poland are offered at around the 3/1 mark. However, the draw looks to be better value for this Euro 2016 quarter-final, available at 2/1, while under 2.5 goals is also worth considering, even at odds of 4/9. The 6/1 available on a 0-0 draw in 90 minutes is tempting too, along with Poland to win on penalties again, offered at 10/1.

Poland needed penalties to squeeze past Switzerland in the last round, with Granit Xhaka's miss sending Adam Nawalka's side through to the next round.

The form of star man Robert Lewandowski remains a major concern, with the Bayern Munich striker without a goal in four appearances at the finals, while his attacking partner Arkadiusz Milik has also missed a string of presentable opportunities. 

Thankfully for Poland, Jakub Blaszczykowski is in fine form, although Wojciech Szczesny is still unavailable due to injury, so Swansea City goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will continue in goal.

Poland likely XI: 

Fabianski, Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jedrzejczyk, Blaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Maczynski, Grosicki, Lewandowski, Milik.
 

Portugal's last-16 tie was also very close, with Ricardo Quaresma's extra-time header sealing a 1-0 win over Croatia. Quaresma's impact from the bench should earn him a start for this game, while Renato Sanches could also come into the side to add pace and drive in midfield areas.

Cristiano Ronaldo has had a frustrating tournament - his brace against Hungary have been his only goals of the finals so far - while Nani has been much more impressive for Portugal. Jose Fonte is set to continue with Pepe at the back after the veteran Ricardo Carvalho was dropped.

Portugal likely XI: 

Patricio, Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro, Mario, W Carvalho, Sanches, Quaresma, Nani, Ronaldo.

This quarter-final is almost too close to call and it could well go all the distance to penalties, which would give Poland the edge due to their experience from the last round against Switzerland. But this could be Ronaldo\'s last chance of international glory with Portugal and he could drag his side into the semi-finals. Extra-time is likely to be needed, with a draw by far the most likely result.
The last two matches between Poland and Portugal have both ended in a draw.