Portugal National Football Team

Manager / Fernando Santos
Appointed / September 2014
Captain / Cristiano Ronaldo
Top Scorer in Euro 2020 Qualifiers / Cristiano Ronaldo, 11
Top Scorer in Squad (Domestic season 2020-21) / Cristiano Ronaldo, 29 (Juventus, Italian Serie A)
Most Carded in qualifying / Pepe and Ruben Dias, 2
Group / F, vs. Hungary (16/06/2021), vs. Germany (20/06/2021), vs. France (24/06/2021)

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing *

Portugal Road to Euro 2020

Portugal were priced at around the 21.0 mark at the turn of the year to win the Euros. Their odds have shortened massively in the past 6 months or so with many punters acknowledging the immense quality they have within their squad. As reigning champions they will be determined to retain their crown and the quality as well as strength in depth within their squad is far higher than the one which won the Euros in France back in 2016.

The bookies place them as sixth favourite behind France, England, Belgium, Spain and Germany, but they have a wealth of talent among their ranks that can cause problems for any side. They have a real knack of performing well under pressure and Santos has already led them to both European Championship glory as well as the Nations League which they won back in 2019.

They weren’t particularly convincing in qualifying for the Euros however finishing 2nd in Group B behind Ukraine. They tend to fare better when the pressure is really on and always tend to go deep into major tournaments when the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo really tend to shine. Portugal may be overlooked by some but if history has told us anything it’s that they should never be counted out.

Portugal Euro 2020 Squad

On paper this is quite possibly the most impressive Portuguese squad there has been in the past 20-30 years. Although some key players are ageing and probably past their best, the next generation of talent is extremely exciting. In years gone by Portugal have often been carried by Ronaldo but given the quality that Santos has at his disposal he no longer needs to be so reliant on his captain. They have genuine world class quality throughout the spine of the squad and should they play to their potential could most definitely be dark horses for the tournament.

Goalkeeper

The ever dependable Rui Patricio will be undisputed number 1 for Portugal this summer as he has been for some time now. Likely one of the few surviving members of that 2016 success, Rui Patricio was in inspired form as Portugal finally ended their international heartache, keeping four clean sheets in seven games and making 21 saves. Since then, he’s added the Nations League to his medal collection as well as been a very dependable goalkeeper at Premier League outfit Wolves. He will be supported by Anthony Lopes of Lyon who with 13 caps is a reasonably experienced understudy. Also in the squad is the uncapped Rui Silva of Granada who will be third choice and very unlikely to be used throughout the tournament.

Defence

A real mix of experience and quality in the Portuguese backline this summer and I certainly don’t expect them to concede many goals. The emergence of Ruben Dias this season has made the backline look even more formidable and alongside the likes of Pepe, Joao Cancelo and Raphael Guerreiro it has the looks of a genuine world class defensive unit. At just 24, Dias has transformed Man City’s defence into the most formidable in the Premier League. The newly-crowned FWA Footballer of the Year already has 27 international caps to his name, if he can replicate his heroics in the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain Portugal are in safe hands. Should there be an injury in the backline there may be an issue or two however with the ageing Jose Fonte the next in line to fill-in at CB. Whether both he and Pepe who have a combined age of 75 can still cut it at this level both physically and technically remain to be seen.

Midfield

Of course, it’s not all about defending for Portugal, even if that is what has often carried them to victory since 2016. The quality that has been developed over the last 4 years is exceptional and their midfield and forward talent can now match most teams on the planet. Bruno Fernandes is undoubtedly going to be the main man in midfield when you consider the season he has just had at Manchester united. His international record currently is nothing to write home about only managing two goals and four assists in 27 caps. He is a different player now though to the one of 18 months ago and has developed a real lethal streak to his game. His 28 goals and 17 assists in all comps for United this season certainly prove that. He will be given a free role with one of Danilo Pereira or William Carvalho playing in the 6 offering the defensive stability behind him. Then it will likely be one Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho or Renanto Sanches who fill the other midfield slot.

Attack

For years and years it has been very much Cristiano Ronaldo or bust for Portugal from an attacking point of view. The fact that then Swansea City striker Eder scored the winner in 2016 says a lot about the attacking options that were available to Portugal at the time. Fast-forward 5 years and the top-quality options available to Portugal are really quite remarkable. Ronaldo is still the main man but the fact he has support now from the likes of Joao Felix, Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota shows the strength in depth they now have at their disposal. These five players have combined for a staggering 93 goals at club level this season and all play in Europe’s elite leagues which gives you some idea of the sort of quality we are talking about.

Portugal predicted line-up vs. Hungary: Rui Patricio; Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro; Danilo, Bruno Fernandes, Neves; Bernardo Silva, Cristano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota (4-3-3)

Portugal Euro 2020 Betting Tips & Predictions

A difficult team to predict this summer as I highly rate them and think their squad is full of talent and in Fernando Santos they have a manager who knows how to deliver on the biggest stage. However, they have been drawn in the group of death.  Not only that but should they qualify in second behind France (which I think is likely) then they will face the winner of group D which will more than likely be England. Whatever the scenario they have a very tough run in store to reach the latter stages but should they surpass the last 16 stage then they have a real opportunity to go on and win it.

They are reigning European champs however and I don’t expect them to give up that title without a fight. I expect they will get the better of both Hungary and Germany in Group F and a price of 1.66 double chance against the Germans looks attractive. Die Mannschaft aren’t the team they once were and I would expect Portugal to at the very least get a result against them.

Should Portugal get through to the quarter-finals then like I say there is every chance they could go on and win the tournament. In order to do so however they must be at their very best, particularly from a defensive standpoint. Luckily they are blessed with quite possibly the best centre back in the world right now in Ruben Dias. City ended the Premier League season with the best defensive record in the league, conceding 32 goals and Dias has been an integral part of their efficiency at the back. He added to City’s defensive performance not only technically but also mentally. Should Portugal go deep into the conversation then I am fairly certain Dias will be a big reason behind that. He is 34.0 to be crowned player of the tournament which as an outside shout I feel looks decent value.

Predicted stage of elimination: Round of 16

How to watch Portugal v Germany in Euro 2020

📅   When / Saturday, 19 June 2021, 17:00 BST
🏟   Where / Allianz Arena (Munich)
📺   TV / ITV, STV, ZDF
📱   Online streaming / bet365