Portugal is back in the UEFA Euro’s round of 16, three years after Belgium ended their title defense at the same stage. Featuring in a UEFA Euro knockout for the ninth time, Portugal’s immense experience on the European stage gives them an advantage against Slovenia on Monday at the Deutsche Bank Park. On the other hand, Slovenia is playing in the European knockouts for the first time. While this advantage stands, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates are still under immense scrutiny.

Firstly, Portugal stumbled against Georgia’s grit in their final group game, despite winning their first two in style. This means it is not beyond an underdog team to challenge and oust the mighty 2016 UEFA Euro winners. Moreover, Slovenia humbled Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. with a 2-0 defeat in their last meeting during a friendly campaign in March.

Portugal struggled against Georgia in the final group game largely because coach Roberto Martinez rested most of his experienced players except Ronaldo that night. With these veterans likely to return against Slovenia, Portugal looks poised to continue their run in Europe. What lineup will Slovenia probably use to upset Portugal again? Here we go.

Slovenia vs Portugal: injuries and predicted lineups

Slovenia injuries and team news

No Slovenia players are nursing an injury at the moment. However, the team’s star striker Benjamin Sesko experienced trouble with his quadriceps muscle before their final group game against England. Nonetheless, he started against England and is expected to do the same versus Portugal. Meanwhile, Slovenia’s left-back Erik Janza is serving a yellow-card suspension and will therefore sit out in the tie against Roberto Martinez’s side.

Slovenia: expected starting XI

Jan Oblak; Zan Karnicnik, Vanja Drkusic, Jaka Bijol, Jure Balkovec; Petar Stojanovic, Timi Max Elsnik, Gnezda Cerin, Jan Mlakar; Andraz Sporar, Benjamin Sesko

Portugal injuries and team news

The Portuguese squad is also free of any injuries. Besides, in a positive update, star winger Rafael Leao has completed his yellow card suspension and will return against Slovenia. Roberto Martinez had made eight changes to their first-choice squad in the losing game against Georgia. With those changes making no difference, the Selecao will rely on their star-studded first-choice squad to potentially oust Slovenia.

Portugal: expected starting XI

Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao

Portugal vs Slovenia: head-to-head

Cristiano Ronaldo’s side and Jan Oblak’s side have met only once in a friendly game in March. That night, Slovenia’s Gnezda Cerin and Timi Elsnik scored late in the second half to hand Portugal one of their most shocking defeats to date.

Portugal vs Slovenia prediction

With the defensive duo of Pepe and Dias returning, there is no room for error in Portugal’s back line, and won’t easily concede goals like they did against Georgia. Meanwhile, the return of Fernandes, Silva, and Leao to the forward line can help the Selecao overcome their misfiring woes. Hence, we predict Portugal to win 2-0 and advance to the quarter-finals.

Where to watch the Ro16 tie?

The match will kick off at 3 PM ET in Deutsche Bank Park on July 01. Fans can watch the game live on FOX, and live stream it on Fox Sports. Sound off your predictions on the game in the comments.