Euro2008 Preview: Czech Republic v Portugal

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros, the leading goalscorer at Euro 2004, is set to replace midfielder Jaroslave Plasil and partner Jan Koller up front. Boss Karel Brueckner may also bring in Marek Matejovsky in place of David Jarolim in midfield.

Portugal are expected to name the same team that beat Turkey 2-0. Goalkeeper Nuno Espirito Santo trained with the squad on Monday after being called up to replace Quim, who fractured his wrist on Friday.

BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads

Czech Republic (including Czechoslovakia) and Portugal have met on 11 occasions, with the Czechs winning four matches and Portugal winning three times. However, their first ever meeting in January 1926 (1-1) is not recognised as an official international by the Czech Federation.

Their last ever meeting was in the quarter-final of Euro 1996 when the Czechs won 1-0 courtesy of a Karel Poborsky goal.

Team facts - Czech Republic

Deployed their oldest starting line-up in this competition in their opening match against Switzerland. At 29 years and 298 days, their line-up beats the previous oldest starting eleven from 1980 by more than a year.

The win against Switzerland was Karel Bruckner's 50th victory in his 74-match reign as Czech national team boss.

Won their last six competitive matches and are unbeaten in their last eight.

Team facts - Portugal

By beating Turkey in their opening match, Portugal extended their unbeaten streak in competitive matches to 12, their joint second best ever.

Between September 2004 and July 2006, Portugal were unbeaten in 17 competitive matches. Their last defeat in a competitive match was in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Poland (2-1) on 11 October 2006.

Never been awarded a penalty at European Championships. This running streak of 20 matches is a tournament record.