Portugal vs France Prediction and Betting Tips | 5th July 2024
In a repeat of the 2016 Euro final, Portugal and France will lock horns at the Volksparkstadion on Saturday in a high-profile quarter-final. Neither Portugal nor France could turn in a convincing performance in the round of 16.
On Monday, the Selecao traversed the whole spectrum of emotions at the business end of their first knockout stage fixture against Slovenia. After the game ventured into extra time, Roberto Martinez's men nearly had their tickets to the quarter-finals punched as they were awarded a penalty.
Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take it but Slovenian custodian Jan Oblak rose to the occasion to thwart the legendary forward's attempt to open his tally in the continental competition.
Portugal eventually won the game in the shootout and Ronaldo found redemption as well as he put the ball in the back of the net as their first penalty taker.
Given the dismal nature of their performance over the better part of the 120 minutes, it goes without saying that if they cannot improve on it on Friday, their Euro aspirations are likely to be extinguished.
But this French side has been nowhere close to their best either. Rather shockingly, France are yet to score from open play after four games at Euro 2024. They have scored three goals so far, one of which was a Kylian Mbappe penalty against Poland with the other two being own goals.
Belgium caused them problems but Didier Deschamps' men just about held themselves together. They rode their luck as Jan Vertonghen drastically changed the course of a Randal Kolo Muani strike in the 85th minute to leave the Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels bamboozled as the ball flew into the netting.
While their shooting boots have gone missing, however, France continue to be sturdy at the back and have kept three clean sheets so far at Euro 2024. The only goal they have conceded so far came from a Robert Lewandowski penalty in their 1-1 draw.
Portugal vs France Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Portugal and France will be meeting for the fifth time at the Euros. France won the first two meetings but have failed to win the last two.
- Portugal have won only one of their last 14 meetings with France. That victory came in the final of the 2016 edition of the European championship.
- This is the seventh time that Portugal have made it to the quarter-finals of the Euros, the most of any team since the round was introduced in the year 1996.
- Portugal have progressed from four of their six Euro quarter-final matches.
- France have progressed to the semi-final three times in the last four major tournaments.
Portugal vs France Prediction
Both Portugal and France have huffed and puffed through the tournament thus far. Both teams have struggled to score goals of late but France's superior defensive formidability gives them the edge here.
Despite the number of supremely talented players on both sides, this should be a low-scoring affair with France the more probable unit to walk away with the spoils.
Prediction: Portugal 0-1 France
Portugal vs France Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - France to win
Tip 2: Game to have under 2.5 goals - Yes
Tip 3: France to keep a clean sheet - Yes