Belgium vs Portugal Prediction & Betting Tips - Euro

Prediction published on 24/06/2021, 15:15  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 25/06/2021 at 05:32 in Euro Predictions

Defending champions Portugal are still in contention for the Euro 2020 title after a bumpy ride in Group F. They are set to take on tournament favorites Belgium in the round of 16, hoping they can make it smoother going forward. As for Belgium, the only time they faced serious opposition was when forced to rally from a goal down to beat Denmark 2-1 in their second group game. They managed to win all their group games, making them one of three teams at the competition to achieve that feat. When really tested, the attack did the job for Belgium, who even had to nurse Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne to fitness as well as incorporating Axel Witsel, who has been out of action for a better part of the season with injury. Belgium go to this game unbeaten in 12 matches but defensively they leave concerns, after conceding in half of their last 10 matches. There’s however no taking anything from their attack, having scored in each of their last 33 matches. In their three group matches alone, they scored seven goals and ahead of this clash, they’ve scored two or more in seven of their last 10 matches.

The last time Portugal faced Belgium in competitive action was back in 2007, then in the European Championship qualification. Portugal won that game 2-1, making it a third straight win over Belgium. Portugal are unbeaten in five matches against Belgium, with three ending in draws. Portugal didn’t have the best showing at the group stages, with their defence badly exposed. They conceded six goals in the last two group matches, after opening with a 3-0 win over Hungary. Their weaknesses in defence are so pronounced, but are well covered for by a sharp attack, headlined by Juventus man, Cristiano Ronaldo and supported by Diogo Jota, among others. In their group matches, Ronaldo scored five goals in three games and Portugal have scored two or more goals in the last four, with both sides scoring in their last two matches. They are coming from a 2-2 draw with France, which saw Portugal lose their first half lead, before chasing the game to score a 60th minute equalizer.