Kick-off time: 20:00 (GMT) 5th July | Volksparkstadion | H2H: 28 – 6W, 3D, 19L
Portugal
- Nickname: ‘Seleção das Quinas’
- Highest Position: Champions Euro 2016
- Qualifiers: W W L | Round of 16: vs Slovenia 0-0 (3-0 Penalties)
France
- Nickname: ‘Les Bleus’
- Highest Position: Champions Euro 1984 + Euro 2000
- Qualifiers: W D D | Round of 16: vs Belgium 1-0
Portugal Football Team
With an outstanding display in the Qualifying games and a single loss in the Group stages against Georgia, Portugal proceeded to knock Slovenia out in the Round of 16 to set-up a match that will likely be their most difficult of the tournament so far. Euro 2016 Champions but knocked out in the Group stages in 2020, they will be determined to show their talent on the European stage once again, especially after their game against Slovakia being so closely contested and requiring penalties to separate the two.
When it comes to Portugal, even manager Roberto Martinez, will understand that their last game proved that it really boils down to a single man and his posse – the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s 130 goals in 211 performances shows no signs of letting up despite turning 39 earlier this year. Alongside ex-United teammate Fernandes and City’s own Silva, Martinez will hope that they can outperform France in what will be a closely contested match.
France Football Team
A two-time Euros winner in 1984 and 2000 and two-time World Cup winner, France’s 14-0 qualifying game win against Gibraltar was enough to show other teams the threat that they would have to face, yet four games into the tournament after a victory against Austria, draws against Netherlands and Poland, then a victory against Belgium in the Round of 16, have showed a different side than many expected. Having scored just a single goal themselves – a penalty of all things, and with victories against Austria and Belgium courtesy of own goals, one could be forgiven for believing that France are struggling in Euro 2024.
Manager Didier Deschamps, who has run point for over a decade, has the ability to call on three of the most prolific goal scorers and players in Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and captain, Kylian Mbappé, will be hoping that his side can finally find their attacking ways and deliver some goals against a side that will undoubtedly do their best to snatch an early goal and present a constant attacking threat down the wings.
H2H Records
With 28 games played against each other, it’s clear that the two sides have had a less than even history. Portugal have won just 6 matches, while France have walked away victors on 19 occasions, leaving just 3 draws to make up the balance. Their last few games have been slightly more even, with 2 draws and a win for France, but either way, it’s hard to deny the French advantage in the records.
Quarter-Final Betting
While this would normally be a blockbuster match, both sides have underperformed when you look at their team sheets and goals scored record, so let’s have a look at the latest Euro 2020 betting odds at BetVictor to see who the bookies favour to walk away with the spoils. At the time of writing, Portugal are at odds of 11/5* where a £10 bet would pay £32 if correct, while their rivals, France, are slight favourites at 13/10* with the same £10 wager returning £23 if they win within the ‘normal time’ 90 minutes. Odds on a draw sit at 2/1*, so £10 staked will pay out £30, and with both teams having struggled to score in their last match, perhaps this is a decent bet. While we predict the late kick-off game this Friday will have flashes of brilliance from both teams, France will finally find their form and come out on top, sending Ronaldo and his Portuguese home inside the 90 minutes.
