Euro Zone: Czech Republic v Portugal

Czech Rep v Portugal, BBC1, 7.45pm
The Euro 2012 quarter-finals begin with Czech Republic against Portugal in Warsaw with Cristiano Ronaldo looking to show he is capable of leading his country all the way to the final.

Ronaldo started slowly as Portugal lost 1-0 to Germany and the Real Madrid superstar was untypically wayward despite a 3-2 victory over Denmark before sparking to life with both goals in the 2-1 success against Holland which secured a spot in the last eight.

Czech Republic know all about starting slowly - they opened up with a shambolic 4-1 loss to Russia - but wins over Greece and Poland secured top spot in Group A, although Portugal are well-backed odds-on favourites to make it through to the semi-finals.

Best bet
Portugal have left their pre-tournament wobbles well behind them in the competitive arena and Paulo Bento’s side should have too much quality for a limited Czech Republic. Portugal look tight at the back, solid in midfield and explosive in the wide positions with Ronaldo finally beginning to show his club form on the international stage.

Longshot
Ronaldo will be a warm order as first goalscorer but at double the odds of the favourite it may pay to throw a few quid on his opposite wing-wonder Nani. The Czechs have looked weak down their left-hand side throughout the tournament and Nani has shown in bursts what a dangerous player he can be in recent matches.

Key stats
Portugal have won only three of their last nine matches
Czech Republic have scored in ten of their last 11 games

Top tips
Each day we ask the Racing Post's top football tipsters for their Euro 2012 predictions and only one of the quartet does not fancy Portugal to get the job done inside 90 minutes.

Dan Childs - Czech Rep 0 Portugal 2
Steve Davies - Czech Rep 2 Portugal 2
Mark Langdon - Czech Rep 1 Portugal 3
Ian Wilkerson - Czech Rep 1 Portugal 2

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