Euro 2016: Portugal vs France Betting Preview

Kick off: Sunday, July 10, 8:00 PM GMT

Venue: Stade de France (Paris)

Head to head record

Portugal vs France 0-1 (2015 Friendly International)
France vs Portugal 2-1 (2014 Friendly International)
Portugal vs France 0-1 (2006 World Cup)
France vs Portugal 4-0 (2001 Friendly International)
France vs Portugal 2-1 (Euro 2000)

Portugal vs France prediction

By beating World Cup title holders Germany in the semis, hosts France set up a meeting with Portugal in the Euro 2016 finals. Les Tricolores are regarded as favourites to win the trophy, but they can’t afford any complacency in Sunday’s clash against Fernando Santos’ troops, who impressed in the 2-0 win over Wales.

The Cristiano Ronaldo effect

Even though many people expected that Portugal would struggle at the 2016 European Championship finals, A Selecao did remarkably well to make it to the final of the showpiece tournament. Fernando Santos’ men played out draws with each of their three rivals (Iceland, Austria, Hungary) in the group stages and thanks to a win over Poland on penalties the team set up a meeting with Wales in the quarter-finals of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo has been having his ups and downs at the tournament in France, but the Real Madrid ace was at the top of his game against Wales and he helped A Selecao make it to the final. CR7 and Co. failed to beat Greece in their last appearance in the final of the European Championship (2004) and it remains to be seen if they are capable of winning their first ever trophy at Euro finals.

Pepe should recover in time to face France and e is likely to be recalled to the starting line-up, meaning that Bruno Alves should drop to the bench. Renato Sanchez is likely to keep his place in the starting XI. Fellow midfielder William Carvalho returns from suspension.

Can Anyone stop Griezmann?

France came from behind to beat Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2016 last 16 and thanks to a thrilling 5-2 win over Iceland les Tricolores set up a meeting with star-studded Germany in the semis of the tournament. Dider Deschamps’s men proved their worth in the 2-0 victory over die Manschaft and they will be looking to put icing on the cake with a victory over Portugal in the Euro 2016 final. Coach Didier Deschamps can count on his key players Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann and the duo is likely to make life difficult for the opposition back line. France play in front of home fans in Paris and seeing that Portugal have recorded no more than one win (regular time) and the European Championship finals, it is no surprise les Tricolores are regarded as favourites to emerge triumphant in the title game.

Coach Didier Deschamps has no fresh injury worries ahead of the game and he is likely to field the same starting XI that faced Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-final. Olivier Giroud failed to impress against Joachim Low’s men, but he should keep his place in the starting line-up.

Interesting facts

• France are after their 11th consecutive win over Portugal
• Les Tricolores scored 2+ goals in nine of their last ten games
• Under 2.5 goals were scored in five of Portugal’s previous six games at Euro finals
• Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 61st goal for Portugal against Wales
• In their last meeting at Euro finals (2000) France recorded a 2-1 win over Portugal

Portugal vs France betting pick

Portugal produced a fine display against Wales, but it has to be noted that the Dragons were without Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies in the Euro 2016 semi-final. France, on the other hand, proved their worth in the 2-0 triumph over star-studded Germany and considering that les Tricolores are after their 11th straight win over A Selecao, there is every chance Didier Deschamps’ men will lift the trophy.

Pick: France to win

Odds: 1/1