Slovakia vs Portugal: Team news, broadcast options, preview for Euro 2024 qualifier live on Sept. 08, 2023

Topics: TV Schedules, Slovakia, Portugal, UEFA Euro Qualifying

Cristiano and Co. visit their closest rivals in the race to qualify for Euro 2024. Here is everything you need to know about this showdown.

Where can I watch Slovakia vs Portugal live on TV?

This Euro 2024 qualifier will not be aired on TV in the USA while those in the UK can tune in to Viaplay Sports 2. In Australia, Optus Sport has got fans covered with their coverage of this tie. If you live elsewhere, please check our dedicated match page for further information on how to follow this game live on TV in your country.

Where can I stream Slovakia vs Portugal live?

Fans in the USA have ViX and FuboTV to choose from. UK fans can tune in to Viaplay UK while those in Canada need a DAZN subscription to watch this game live. Optus Sport, once again, has fans in Australia covered. If you live elsewhere, please check our dedicated match page for further information on how to stream this game live in your country.

Preview

The Euro 2024 qualifiers take center stage, with Portugal, the 2016 European Championship winners, locking horns with Slovakia in an interesting showdown. Tehelné pole stadium will host this fixture as these two sides battle it out for the top spot in Group J.

The goal for the hosts is simple: Slovakia wish to qualify for this tournament for the third consecutive edition in a row. The Falcons struggled to appear in the European Championship following the break up of Czechoslovakia but ended their wait in 2016, even making it to the round of 16.

And Slovakia are currently doing well in the race to book a ticket to next year's tournament. Francesco Calzona's are not top of the group as that honor belongs to Portugal. However, Milan Škriniar and Co. are only two points behind in second and could leapfrog the European giants in the standings with a win.

The home side began the qualifying campaign with a draw and have won three in a row since that stalemate against Luxembourg. Can the Falcons make it four consecutive victories when they host the mighty Portugal?

A Seleção das Quinas will be a tough cookie to crack and this is not simply due to their star-studded roster. Following their disappointing 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Morocco, the European giants decided to part ways with Fernando Santos and surprised many by appointing Roberto Martinez. However, the results have been going well.

The Spaniard has overseen all of their Euro 2024 qualifiers so far and has guided them to a perfect start, not only winning all fixtures but also conceding no goals in victories over Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Bosnia-Herzegovnia, and Iceland.

As a result, the Euro 2016 winners sit top of the table with 12 points, but as mentioned earlier, Slovakia are only two points behind, meaning Cristiano and Co. will surrender their lead if they lose.

Portugal's most recent outing was an uninspiring 1-0 victory over Iceland which was decided by Cristiano's 123rd goal for his national team. Not all is perfect but Roberto Martinez has enough at his disposal to maintain his team's perfect record.

Team news

Slovakia: The hosts surprised no one with their squad selection. Milan Škriniar, Stanislav Lobotka, and Martin Dubravka should start for the Falcons. Meanwhile, Robert Mak will likely be their most important player in attack.

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo shows no sign of stopping despite turning 38 and is joined by fellow Saudi Pro League aces Ruben Neves and Otavio. Matheus Nunes is unavailable, and he is not the only absentee, as he will watch the game from home alongside Raphael Guerreiro, Nuno Mendes, and Pepe.

Key stats

Slovakia are on a seven-game unbeaten streak.
The hosts have won their last three games in a row and have not gone on a four-game winning streak since 2015.
Portugal are one of only three teams yet to concede in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, alongside France and Hungary.
Cristiano and Co. have scored 14 goals so far, with only England (15) scoring more so far.
Portugal have lost only one European Champions qualifier in their last 19 outings and that came against Ukraine in 2019.
The Euro 2016 winners have crossed paths with Slovakia four times before and are yet to lose a game.