More round-of-16 action comes thick and fast on Monday as three of the “big boys” take to the field in search of a quarter-final spot at the European Championships.
The pick of the meetings comes in the early kick-off at 17:00 BST as one of the pre-tournament favourites France - who have underwhelmed so far in Germany - take on Belgium, who have also disappointed, in Dusseldorf.
Monday night also sees Group F winners Portugal - who were beaten 2-0 by tournament minnows Georgia on matchday three - face a Slovenia side who frustrated the likes of England, Denmark and Serbia in Group C as they went unbeaten.
FRANCE VS BELGIUM
- FRANCE TO WIN
- UNDER 2.5 GOALS
- DODI LUKEBAKIO TO BE SHOWN A CARD
PORTUGAL VS SLOVENIA
- PORTUGAL TO WIN TO NIL
- CRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE ANYTIME
- ADAM GNEZDA CERIN TO COMMIT OVER 1.5 FOULS
France vs Belgium
Les Bleus Can March Into Quarters
Despite not being at their free-flowing best, France still managed to come through a difficult group featuring Austria, the Netherlands and Poland unscathed - although they did finish in second behind the Austrians.
A meeting with Belgium - who, like France, are in the top three of the FIFA world rankings - will likely be another stern test for Didier Deschamps’ men but the 2022 World Cup runners-up should still feel confident that they can secure passage to the knockout stages, having lost just two of their last 17 international matches.
The Red Devils failed to top what was a favourable Group E as they finished second behind Romania and they have won just one of their last six meetings with Les Bleus. With Domenico Tedesco’s men struggling to perform, an earlier than expected exit could be in store.
Goals Could Be At A Premium
With both sides netting just two goals each over the course of the group stages, it is difficult to see the goals rain down in Dusseldorf on Monday.
Superstar striker Kylian Mbappe is the only player to net for France in Germany, with this goal coming from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw with Poland, while Max Wober put the ball in the back of his own net as Les Bleus defeated Austria 1-0 in their group opener.
Belgium have not had luck on their side in terms of goals. Both of their conversions came in the 2-0 win over Romania - with Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne getting on the scoresheet - while record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku, who was the top scorer in qualifying with 14, has had three goals ruled out by VAR so far.
Each game that has featured either of these two nations in Germany have seen winners in the under 2.5 goals market and, with both struggling to be at their best, another low-scoring event is on the cards.
Another Card In Store For Lukebakio
Despite not featuring for a full 90 minutes at Euro 2024, Sevilla forward Dodi Lukebakio has made his presence known whenever he has taken to the field.
The 26-year-old has drawn four fouls, committing three himself, and has also been shown a yellow card on two separate occasions - the most of any member of Domenico Tedesco’s side.
Lukebakio featured against Slovakia and Romania before missing the Ukraine meeting through suspension and will likely be called upon from the bench to instil some energy into the Red Devils. Given his tendency for late tackles, do not be surprised if he ends up in the eyeline of the referee.
DODI LUKEBAKIO TO BE SHOWN A CARD
Portugal vs Georgia
Selecao Can Return To Winning Ways
Roberto Martinez’s Portugal were the dominant outfit in qualifying, winning each of their 10 fixtures and topping both the goals scored (36) and goals conceded (two) charts, and they looked the real deal in their victories over the Czech Republic and Turkey.
However, a shock defeat to Georgia - which saw the 74th-ranked nation qualify for the knockout stages in their first ever major tournament - will have rocked A Selecao and they will be looking to get back to their best against Slovenia on Monday.
Matjaz Kek’s men went unbeaten in a Group C that lacked quality throughout and against a stronger, in-form opponent, they may struggle. With Portugal winning 15 of their last 18 matches, expect them to come out on top.
Ronaldo Can Extend Record Tally
With a record 14 goals scored at European Championship finals - as well as a record 41 goals in the qualifying stages of this tournament - Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is the main man when it comes to this competition.
The 39-year-old has scored 130 goals for his country and also netted 10 times in qualifying - a tally only bettered by Romelu Lukau.
Ronaldo has yet to find the back of the net in Germany - although he did gift Bruno Fernandes a tap in when he could have scored himself against Turkey - and, in what could be his final major tournament for his country, he will be desperate to get on the scoresheet for a sixth consecutive Championship.
CRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE ANYTIME
Gnezda Cerin Likely To Disrupt Momentum In Frankfurt
Slovenia were victorious over Portugal in their most recent meeting back in March but tournament football offers a different level of complexity and their lack of experience at this level could cost them, with this being only their fourth ever appearance at a major competition.
They will not expect to have much of the ball and so the plan of attack may be to foul Portugal in order to disrupt their flow and midfielder Adam Gnezda Cerin could therefore be the man to watch out for in this market.
The Panathinaikos man has already given away nine fouls in Germany, averaging three a game, and against the attacking talents of Rafael Leao, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes, he could resort to the dark arts on a number of occasions.
ADAM GNEZDA CERIN TO COMMIT OVER 1.5 FOULS
