Aaron Ashley’s tips for Saturday’s Group E and F matches include wins for Portugal and Belgium.
Saturday sees the conclusion of the second round of fixtures from Euro 2024 as Portugal attempt to tighten their grip on Group F against Turkey, while Belgium bid to respond to their shock defeat to Slovakia in the closing contest with Romania.
The action begins with Georgia taking on Czech Republic, both of whom were beaten in their opening matches, by Turkey and Portugal respectively.
Saturday’s Euro 2024 acca (pays 6.38/1)
Georgia to win or draw v Czech Republic
1/1
Portugal to beat Turkey
3/5
Belgium to win & under 3.5 goals v Romania
5/4
Georgia deserve plenty of respect
Although beaten 3-1 by Turkey in their Group F opener, minnows Georgia more than played their part and they missed a gilt-edged opportunity to equalise seconds before conceding the crucial third deep into stoppage-time on the counter-attack.
It was a scoreline that flattered the Turks and it suggests that Georgia are capable of landing a blow on the Czechs, who conceded an injury-time goal of their own to lose 2-1 to Portugal.
But it was the least Portugal deserved as they had 73 per cent possession and won the shot count 19 to five, with the Czechs scoring with their only effort on the Portuguese goal.
Georgia carried a serious threat against Turkey and in Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia they have a superstar capable of lighting it up on the big stage.
Czech Republic, meanwhile, look to lack the creativity that would make them worthy odds-on favourites and they have won only two of their last 10 games at European Championship finals.
Portugal can stamp their authorityÂ
It wasn’t the prettiest of starts but Portugal are up-and-running with a victory and their attacking quality should shine through against a Turkey side that let up 14 shots in their opening win over Georgia.
Allowing Portugal’s star-studded frontline so many goalscoring chances could be costly and Selecao have won 14 of their last 16 internationals.
Turkey have players capable of troubling Portugal’s backline, but Roberto Martinez’s side restricted the Czechs to only one effort on target, while they’ve kept clean sheets in 10 of their last 16 outings.
Martinez’s men have Champions League quality all over the pitch and they are expected to improve a bundle for their opening outing, which should be enough to catch out a Turkey side that have won only one of their last six matches.
Belgium to get Euro bid back on track
Belgium suffered the shock of the opening round of fixtures as they were beaten 1-0 by Slovakia, but they can get their qualification hopes back on track with a hard-fought victory over Romania.
The Belgians may feel a little aggrieved as Romelu Lukaku had two goals disallowed, while they won the shot count 16 to 10.
But there was enough promise in the performance to suggest they are not a lost cause and, with Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard in their ranks, they should have enough to deny Romania.
The Romanians put on an excellent display to defeat Ukraine 3-0, but they are going to find things far tougher against Belgium, who had been unbeaten in 15 internationals prior to losing against Slovakia.
Belgium have kept five clean sheets in their last seven internationals and, with under 2.5 having clicked in nine of Romania’s last 15 matches, the Red Devils may have to settle for a narrow success.
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