The final match in Euro2016 on Saturday is one of the ties of the last 16 as Croatia take on Portugal in Lens with the winners facing the winners of Switzerland vs Poland in the quarter finals. Clearly with that as the reward the winners here will have every chance of going deep so this has the potential to be keenly contested.
Croatia pipped Spain to top spot in their group while Portugal amazingly finished third in what looked quite a comfortable group on paper so if this is played to logic and current tournament form it could be a bit of a no contest. Football rarely works like that though.
For me Croatia have been the best team in the tournament so far and the fact that they could make so many changes for the Spain game and still come out on top was testament to how strong their squad is. All that has gone before means nothing though. The winners of this tournament will be the side who plays the next four games the best not the last three.
Croatia have played with a freedom in this tournament which has been a joy to watch and had it not been for their fans kicking off during the match with Czech Republic they might have won all three matches to date. If they can maintain their form for another fortnight they are the team to beat.
Key Man
Luka Modric was superb for the game and two thirds that he played in the group stage and his form is something that can inspire this side on to bigger and better things in this tournament. He is so comfortable on the ball, can stop attacks and can start them too. He is a quality all-round midfielder who could really shine here.
If Portugal have given everything they have to offer in this tournament already then you have to be worried about their chances but I think there is more to come from them. They have gradually improved match by match so far and they will need to do that again but this side are big game players and can’t be ruled out.
It is fair to say Portugal were wretched against Iceland to begin with and they weren’t a whole lot better against Austria either but they finally played well against Hungary but got unlucky with two cruel deflections which meant they had to settle for a third draw in the tournament. Now is the time to really up it.
Key Man
This is fairly obvious but having scored two goals against Hungary how can you ignore Cristiano Ronaldo? You can’t. Whatever he does he’ll be in the spotlight here but I’m a believer that big players turn up on the big stages and I expect him to have a big game here. If he does his side have every chance.
Team News
Luka Modric is set to return to the side having missed the Spanish match through injury. Mario Mandzukic was rested for that game and it remains to be seen whether he will be recalled. Common logic suggests that he will be.
Portugal apparently have a full squad to choose from after the left back Raphael Guerreiro recovered from the issue which kept him out of the Hungary game. Renato Sanches is pushing for a starting place as is Ricardo Quaresma.
Head to Head
There have been three matches in the history of these two and Portugal have won all three. It should be said that only one of those matches was in the last decade but even so when you’ve never lost to a side it gives you plenty of confidence. What is even worse for Croatia is they haven’t scored a goal in the three games. That is something they’ll be out to change here.
Betting
I’m looking forward to this match. I think it could be a cracking game. Croatia love to play on the front foot and I don’t think Portugal will mind that as I’m sure they will set up with pace in the side and look to play on the counter attack so both sides should get their ideal wish here.
Croatia go into the match as favourites and I understand that based on what we’ve seen so far but I’m keen to stress what has gone literally has gone and the tournament really begins here for all 16 teams left in. Going into the tournament you would have had these two fairly evenly matched and maybe with Portugal slightly in front so there is certainly value in them.
Not enough to lure me in though I have to admit although that might only be because I’ve seen another bet that I like in the match which is both teams to score. As I’ve said I think both will get to play in the style they like and there is an insane amount of attacking talent on the field. I think it is fair to say that both have shown defensive frailty in this tournament already so I’m expecting attack to better defence. With that in mind I’ll happily take both to score before this one is decided.
Tips
Back Both teams to score for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Betfred
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MATCH OFFERS
BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS
CROATIA TO WIN EURO2016 – BOOSTED TO A MASSIVE – 24/1
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BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS – OFFER FIVE – 25/06/2016 AT 8.00PM
PORTUGAL vs CROATIA
CRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE – 7/1
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BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS – OFFER FOUR – 25/06/2016 AT 8.00PM
PORTUGAL vs CROATIA
PORTUGAL TO WIN – 10/1
OR
CROATIA TO WIN – 8/1
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