Euro 2024 Group F predictions: Portugal set to take top spot
- Portugal enjoyed a perfect qualifying campaign
- Czech Republic made it to the quarter-finals at Euro 2020
- Recommended bet: Group F Forecast: Portugal 1st, Czech Republic 2nd
Group F looks set to be dominated by Portugal, who enjoyed an excellent qualifying campaign, with a dogfight set to ensue between the three remaining sides to reach the knockout stage.
Turkey will be looking to right their Euro 2020 wrongs but overcoming Czech Republic could prove a difficult task, while Georgia will be looking to cause a shock in their first ever international tournament.
Portugal to top Group F at 2/5
Portugal were arguably the team of qualifying as they won all 10 of their matches, scoring 36 goals and conceding just two in the process, and they have been drawn into a winnable group.
Roberto Martinez’s side will be looking to regain their Euro crown, having won the 2016 tournament, and they certainly have the tools to do so.
Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias represent top-class defenders while Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva will offer plenty of dynamism and creativity in midfield.
Legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo is still around and will be keen to make his mark, while Rafael Leao and Diogo Jota also provide plenty of attacking threat.
It is hard to envisage anyone but Portugal topping this section.
Czech Republic (4/5 to qualify) the next best
Czech Republic enjoyed a solid Euro 2020, reaching the quarter-finals for the second time in three appearances in this competition and they should reach the knockout stage again.
Ivan Hasek’s side have lost just one of their last 12 matches and his solid system can be difficult for even the best teams to break down, with their tournament experience likely to give them the edge over their section rivals.
Tomas Soucek is an established Premier League star, while their backline is made up of powerful and exciting defenders.
In attack is where their biggest strength lies, though, with Adam Hlozek and Patrik Schick both having more than enough finishing ability to help the Czechs make it out of this group.
Turkey (4/11 to qualify) may have to settle for third
Turkey were tipped by many to be ‘dark horses’ at Euro 2020, only to crash out in the group stage without even scoring a goal.
They may have learned from those mistakes, but it may be best to err on the side of caution when it comes to backing Vincenzo Montella’s side.
Turkey impressed in qualifying, finishing top of their group ahead of Croatia, but their squad is young and inexperienced, with very few of their key men coming off the back of successful club seasons.
They may fare better this time around, but it is difficult to see them pipping Czech Republic to second.
Georgia (7/5 to qualify) out to impress
Georgia shocked many by beating Greece in the play-offs to reach the finals and they will be out to spring more surprises in Germany.
However, a 7-1 loss to Spain alongside defeats to the likes of Norway and Scotland in qualifying suggest they may struggle against their more established group rivals and it is no surprise to see the relative minnows as favourites to finish bottom of the section.
Willy Sagnol will be hoping Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is at his best in Germany as he is by far and away Georgia’s best player, while Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will likely be a busy man in between the sticks.
Verdict
It is hard to back against Portugal’s plethora of stars after such impressive efforts in qualifying and they should have no issues in topping this section, with Czech Republic preferred over Turkey for second in a Group Forecast punt.
