Defending European Champions Portugal get their 2020 campaign off and running when they face Hungary in Budapest on Tuesday evening.
A surprise was sprung in France five years ago when Eder’s extra-time goal was enough to sink the hosts at Euro 2016 – a result that secured Portugal’s first-ever international trophy.
Now, more is expected of Fernando Santos’ side, who appear to be stacked with more quality than five years ago.
With France and Germany making up the rest of Group F, Hungary could easily find themselves as the whipping boys, but Marco Rossi’s side will be determined to avoid that tag.
Hungary are 31/4 to win their group stage opener with Portugal 2/5 and a draw priced at 18/5.
Ronaldo Can Light Up Big Stage Once More
Portugal are undoubtedly a more well-rounded side than the team which won the Euros five years ago.
An attacking midfield trio of Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Diogo Jota – all players with proven Premier League pedigree – would strike fear into any opposition.
Defensively, Premier League Player of the Year Ruben Dias and the experienced Pepe make up a mean central defensive duo, while Rui Patricio is a safe pair of hands in goal.
However, all the focus will still remain on the seemingly never ending talents of Cristiano Ronaldo.
He may be 36-years-old and last season may have yielded no trophies, but the legendary forward is still a goal machine.
His performances inspired Portugal to win five years ago and there is no reason why he can’t do the same this time, coming off the back of a season where he scored 36 goals for Juventus.
Ronaldo has 104 goals in 175 Portugal caps and all their attacking play will be geared around him.
With that in mind, the multiple Ballon d’Or winner is 19/10 to score the first goal.
Hungary Missing Key Talent
It’s fair to say that anything other than three defeats may represent success for Hungary at Euro 2020.
They may well be the lambs to the slaughter in the so-called “Group of Death” but Rossi’s men will try and make it difficult.
An eleven-match unbeaten run has been the ideal preparation for the Magyars, but in that run they’ve only managed to beat one other team qualified for the tournament in the form of Turkey.
A devastating injury blow was dealt also on the eve of the tournament after RB Leipzig playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai was ruled out.
Much may depend on captain Adam Szalai, the only player in the squad to score double figures at international level.
He can be backed at 4/1 to score anytime.
Portugal Primed For Comfortable Win
Like Hungary, Portugal’s form coming into the Euros has been good, losing only once since October 2019 – a 1-0 defeat to France in the Nations League.
In 13 matches against Hungary, they have never been beaten and are set to extend that record on Tuesday.
The added stardust of Rinaldo and company should be enough to get them off to a winning, and they can be backed to win by a two-goal margin at 11/4.
*All odds correct at time of writing
