Euro 2016 quarter-finals: Another close clash looms large between Poland and Portugal
Published:
Lee Gormley | June 27, 2016
Poland v Portugal
- Euro 2016 quarter-final
- Thursday, June 30th
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Stade Velodrome, Marseille
- Live on ITV
Polish collide with Portugal in quarters
Portugal edged out Croatia in extra time to reach the Euro 2016 quarter-final stage, while Poland had to overcome Switzerland on penalties to book their place in this round, and the two nations will next collide at the Stade Velodrome on Thursday night for a fixture which the latter nation have lost in just once since 1986.
In that time the Poles have prevailed twice and drawn as many games, with Portugal managing just the one victory in five meetings, but it’s Fernando Santos’ men that enter proceedings as the 5/4 favourites with Coral to triumph in normal time.
Adam Nawalka’s White Eagles have looked solid throughout their campaign though and are 14/5 to succeed in 90 minutes, while a third successive fixture stalemate is 2/1 to occur, which would mean another extra-time outing for both teams.
Portugal were involved in possibly the dullest clash of the tournament last time out and are 10/1 to once again secure progression in extra time, while Poland are 8/1 for a second consecutive penalty shoot-out success in Marseille.
Ronaldo back to rampant ways
All-time record club and country marksman Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating start to Euro 2016, but has since rediscovered his clinical eye for goal, as the Real Madrid attacker fired in a double against Hungary in Portugal’s final Group F encounter.
The Portuguese skipper tucked in 51 strikes during the course of the past season and Ronaldo enters this quarter-final clash at 3/1 to open the scoring in normal time and the same price to bag another brace or more against Poland.
Former Manchester United winger Nani has got himself on the scoresheet twice this summer already and the Fenerbahce attacker is 5/4 to do so again, while fellow wideman Ricardo Quaresma is 7/4 to score after bagging the extra-time winner over Croatia.
Sporting Lisbon prodigy William Carvalho has anchored his country’s midfield strongly so far and the reported Arsenal target is 10/1 to fire in anytime, with Valencia talent Andre Gomes 7/1 to tuck home and new Bayern Munich signing Renato Sanches 4/1 to grab a goal too.
Lewandowski to finally break duck?
Poland have lived up to the tag of being shock contenders for the Euro crown this summer, but their main marksman Robert Lewandowski has so far failed to find the net in four appearances in France – something he will look to change this time around.
The clinical Bayern Munich frontman bagged an impressive 48 goals in the past term for club and country, including finishing top of the charts in Euro 2016 qualifying, and he is 15/8 to finally find the target in normal time.
Ajax prospect Arkadiusz Milik started the campaign brightly yet has looked out of sorts in recent outings, though the young forward could bounce back this time out and he is 10/3 to grab his second goal of the tournament anytime.
Borussia Dortmund wideman Jakub Blaszczykowski has enjoyed a superb Euro 2016, with the winger having dispatched the winner over Ukraine in the group stage and the opener over Switzerland last time out. Kuba, as BVB fans christened him, spent last season on loan at Fiorentina and is a tasty 10/3 for another strike anytime.
A match-up with either Belgium or Wales awaits the winner of this quarter-final clash, with Portugal seeking a second successive European Championship semi-final appearance and Poland hoping to continue their best ever run in this competition.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Back Cristiano Ronaldo to open the scoring in normal time at 3/1.
