Portugal vs France Prediction: Tight game expected between two big guns
Two big nations that have had differing Euro 2024’s so far meet in Hamburg as Portugal take on France for a place in the final four. Roberto Martinez’s men were incredibly poor as they scraped past Slovenia on penalties in their last 16 clash, while France needed an own goal to beat Belgium 1-0.
Below you can find my Portugal vs France prediction, featuring betting tips and match odds.
Portugal vs France Betting Tips
Team News
Portugal are likely to stick with what they have, although 41-year-old Pepe looked dead on his feet against Slovenia in extra-time. Cristiano Ronaldo will start again, and despite his horror show of a performance, including a missed penalty, it seems unlikely that Roberto Martinez will even consider substituting him at this point. Diogo Jota did well off the bench, but is likely to stay in that substitute role for this one.
Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps has a couple of big decisions to make. Adrien Rabiot is suspended so surely Eduardo Camavinga will now be given a start in midfield, while Antoine Griezmann should continue in attack. He started on the right wing against Belgium, but should return to a central role here, which could allow Ousmane Dembele to come back into the team for this quarter-final.
Portugal are priced at 9/4 to win this game in 90 mins, while France are the slight favourites at 57/41. A draw can be backed at 21/10, BTTS is 11/10 and over 2.5 goals is 25/17.
Portugal 0-0 France @ 31/5
These two teams have a load of individual attacking talent, but they currently aren’t seeing the best of it. Judging on what we have seen so far, particularly in the last 16 matches, this is unlikely to be a thrilling match-up. France have only scored three goals at Euro 2024 so far, two own goals and one penalty.
They are yet to score a goal in open play, and with Mbappe being tried down the centre and out wide, don’t seem to be able to create many goalscoring opportunities. Why Deschamps hasn’t given Olivier Giroud a chance, and moved Mbappe back out to the left is inexplicable given their lack of goals so far.
Meanwhile, Portugal are persisting with Ronaldo, who is clearly limiting their attack. He is desperate to take every free-kick and penalty, and against Slovenia was actually harming Portugal’s chances. He will play the full 90 again, and of course he can score at any time, but I think the price on another 0-0 after 90 minutes is too good to turn down.
Will there be a penalty shootout - yes @ 4/1
This is also a big price between two evenly-matched teams. I think these two are likely to cancel each other out and even if the 0-0 correct scoreline doesn’t come in, I think this could be a tie that goes all the way. France are struggling in front of goal, and Portugal looked devoid of ideas in the last 16, so this one could go all the way to extra-time.
Neither side has particularly impressed me so far, and I think this will not be a classic, unlike the Spain vs Germany tie that precedes it. I can see this being a low-scoring affair over 120 minutes, and it could well be decided by penalties. After Diogo Costa’s masterclass against Slovenia, I’d back Portugal to win it too.
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