Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for Portugal vs. France at EURO 2024
Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for Portugal vs. France at EURO 2024
The French unit has not thrilled anyone so far, and despite being the top favorites to win the championship, many doubted their abilities. On the other hand, Portugal was more convincing, yet the bookies didn’t believe in them as much as in the Gauls. These units have a colorful history at the European championships, and it’s about to become richer for one chapter.
Portugal
Selecao lost to Georgia in the last round of the group stage, 2-0, but they had already secured the top spot in the assembly with two victories prior to that event. After beating the Czech Republic 2-1 and Turkey 3-0, their spot in the Round of 16 was secured.
Despite outplaying Slovenia in every aspect of play, the Selecao had to go through the penalties to reach the quarterfinals. They simply couldn’t score, mainly because of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose obsession with scoring a goal hurt the Portuguese unit in this event.
But in general, we can’t say that Portugal didn’t deserve to win. Furthermore, they should have secured the next stage during the regular 90 minutes.
France
France is a big disappointment, at the same level as England. They had some initiative against Belgium but haven’t shown anything at all, apart from Griezmann and Mbappe, who used their individual qualities and tried to find a gap in defense, yet without success.
The crisis in the offense is seen through the stats. France didn’t score a goal in the game, and of three hits, two were rivals’ own goals, and one was from the penalty. That’s too weak for an attack with Mbappe, Thuram, Dembele, Kolo Mouani, etc.
Many suggest that Deschamps needs to bring back Olivier Giroud in the starting lineup because he creates chemistry upfront, much better than all the expensive stars.
Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes; Vitinha, Palhinha, Fernandes; B. Silva, Ronaldo, Leao
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Griezmann; Thuram, Mbappe
In the 2020 EURO, Portugal and France played without winners, 2-2, during the group stage. They met in the 2020 UEFA Nations League, with the game in France ending without goals, and the match in Portugal saw the guests winning 0-1. Prior to that, we saw the 2018 EURO finals in Paris, ending with Portugal’s victory. It was one of the saddest days for French football, which, was erased two years later once they won the World title in Russia.
This will be a tough match because France has been playing rigid and inefficient football lately. We expect two goals at most, with the stakes and the conservative approach from both ends kicking in. Seeing either side trying to attack and pressure the rival would be sensational.
Our verdict: Under 2.5 goals