Portugal vs France predictions: Little to choose between heavyweights in Hamburg
- France edged out Belgium 1-0 in the last 16
- Portugal needed penalties to knock out Slovenia
- Recommended bet: Draw (Full Time)
Portugal and France both squeezed into the last eight of Euro 2024 and now they meet in a huge showdown in Hamburg with a place in the semis up for grabs.
France remain on course for glory in Germany but there is plenty of room for improvement from the World Cup runners-up as they have progressed to this stage thanks to two own-goals and a penalty.
Portugal, meanwhile, survived a big scare in the last 16 when plucky Slovenia took them all the way to penalties but they have already showcased their own credentials as possible winners of the tournament by finishing top of Group F.
Team news
Portugal will check on their star names after the gruelling 120 minutes against Slovenia. There are doubts veteran defender Pepe, who is 41, can go through another big game so soon, especially as he would be up against Kylian Mbappe.
Goncalo Inacio is an option if Roberto Martinez opts to rotate his backline, while Nelson Semedo could also come into his thinking.
Elsewhere, key men Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo are all expected to retain their places.
France are without Adrien Rabiot, who is suspended, so Eduardo Camavinga is set to come into the side.
Elsewhere, boss Deschamps is set to resist making changes despite France struggling as an attacking force in the tournament so far.
Mbappe will wear a protective mask again after breaking his nose in the first group game against Austria.
The stats
This is a rematch of the Euro 2016 final, played in Paris, which Portugal won 1-0.
Despite scoring just one goal in the tournament — a penalty against Poland — Mbappe has had 15 attempts in his four appearances with only Ronaldo (20) having more than him so far in Germany.
France have largely dominated this fixture, winning 19 of their previous clashes. Portugal have beaten France just six times in their history and there have been three draws.
Portugal's shock 2-0 defeat to Georgia in the final group game is their only loss in their last five.
France come into this fixture on a seven-game unbeaten run, winning four and drawing three of those matches.
Prediction
France have yet to hit the heights expected of them in Germany but, nevertheless, Deschamps' men are in the last eight and can begin to dream about being crowned European champions again.
Their displays so far have been laboured and lacking in inspiration, while star forward Mbappe has been hampered by his broken nose, which has resulted in him being forced to wear a protective mask in the last two games.
However, a side containing such talents like Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and N'Golo Kante must surely step up in a tournament of such magnitude sooner rather than later.
Portugal will no doubt provide another stiff test with Ronaldo seemingly on a mission to lead his side to glory as they chase a repeat of their famous victory over Les Bleus in the final of this competition eight years ago.
It should be another tight, tense affair in Hamburg between two nations well used to these occasions. The respective line-ups will be jam-packed full of top talent and there are potential matchwinners all over the park.
They will both offer full respect to each other and, considering what is on the line, a cagey, tactical battle could play out.
Expect France to progress eventually, but it could require extra-time or even penalties for them to do it.
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