Prediction: Portugal vs France

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a heavyweight EURO 24 quarter-final showdown on Friday night, Portugal and France will meet in Hamburg.

Portugal

Starting with Portugal, avoiding what would have been an infamous EURO 24 exit at the hands of Slovenia earlier in the week, Roberto Martinez’s men will be desperately seeking a more polished performance here. However, signing off their Group F campaign with a shock 2-0 defeat against major tournament debutants Georgia, the Navigators have shown some attacking issues over the past week. In fact, the 2016 European champions have drawn back-to-back blanks for the first time since October 2020. However, opening this summer’s tournament tipped as a potential dark horse contender, Portugal did make a major qualifying statement last year. Winning all of their 10 Group J appearances by an aggregate score of 36-2, the former Belgium boss will be calling on his squad to lay down a monumental marker in Hamburg.

Team News

Although five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo might still be waiting to open his EURO 24 account this summer, the former Real Madrid icon will spearhead Portugal’s attack on Friday night and earn a 212th international cap. Making an impact off the bench against Slovenia earlier in the week, Liverpool ace Diego Jota could make a first start of the summer in Hamburg.

The hero on Monday night and keeping out all three of Slovenia’s spot kicks, Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa will start between the sticks. With continued speculation around a move to German giants Bayern Munich, Fulham’s Joao Palhinha will partner Bruno Fernandes at the heart of Martinez’s midfield.

France

As for France, leaving it late earlier in the week as they snatched a 1-0 victory against fellow European giants Belgium, Les Bleus still find themselves pencilled in as a standout title contender this summer. Although Didier Deschamps’ men might have managed to muster just a single victory from any of their three Group D appearances last month, they still hold a fearsome reputation as one of world football’s elite. While France might have remarkably failed to notch a single goal from open play this summer, they have once again demonstrated some serious defensive steel. Once again coming away unscathed against Belgium on Monday evening and booking their quarter-final ticket, Deschamps’ squad have conceded just a sole goal in any of their last six matchups across all competitions.

Team News

Picking up what was a costly first-half booking against Belgium earlier in the week, France will be unable to call upon Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot on Friday night. Despite only making 50 minutes of EURO 24 action this summer, Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga could be handed a first start and replace Rabiot at the heart of Les Bleus’ midfield.

While skipper and attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe might have notched just a single European Championship strike over in Germany, the 25-year-old will spearhead France’s attack in Hamburg. Arsenal star William Saliba will partner Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano at the heart of Deschamps’ defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Portugal and France last met back in June 2021, Friday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate at the delayed EURO 20 tournament.
• France have lost just one of their 10 historic showdowns against the Navigators.
• Les Bleus have conceded just a single goal in any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• Portugal have drawn back-to-back blanks for the first time since October 2020.
• Four of the last five meetings between Friday’s quarter-finalists have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Portugal and France might have played out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate when they last met at the delayed EURO 20 tournament, chances could come at a premium on Friday night. With the Navigators drawing back-to-back blanks for the first time in almost four years, Les Bleus have also shown their own attacking issues over in Germany. Although the former world champions might have shipped just a single goal in any of their previous six appearances across all competitions, France have remarkably failed to open their account from open play so far this summer.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet