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France vs Spain predictions: More glory for La Roja
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Liam Flin
Spotlight
Santi Denia is on the verge of leading Spain's youngsters to Olympic gold
Santi Denia is on the verge of leading Spain's youngsters to Olympic gold

- Spain have won four of their five matches in 90 minutes
- Three of France's last four games have seen under 2.5 goals in normal time
- Recommended bet:
Spain to win

Spain have already won the European Championship this summer and their Under-23s team can add Olympic gold to the trophy cabinet when they clash with hosts France in the final of the men's tournament at the Parc des Princes on Friday.

Three years ago in Tokyo it was silver for Spain, but they look well-placed to go a step further and claim gold to become the first European team win the Olympics since they managed it on home soil at the Camp Nou in 1992.

Spain booked their spot in the final with a 2-1 victory over Morocco, while hosts France progressed from the last four with a 3-1 win against Egypt in extra time.

Team news

France are unlikely to make any changes to their starting line-up with reliable trio Michael Olise, Alexandre Lacazette and Jean-Philippe Mateta expected to lead the attack again.

Manu Kone and Enzo Millot, meanwhile, are back in the French squad after returning from suspensions.

France boss Thierry Henry could be facing heartache in the gold medal match at the Olympics
France boss Thierry Henry could be facing heartache in the gold medal match at the Olympics

Eric Garcia and Pau Cubarsi are likely to start at the back with Abel Ruiz set to spearhead to the Spanish attack.

The stats

Spain have won four of their five matches in the men's football at the Olympics this year.

France, meanwhile, have been involved in some tight games with three of their last four contests in the tournament producing under 2.5 goals in 90 minutes.

Barcelona youngster Fermin Lopez is a key attacking player for La Roja, having scored four goals in the tournament so far - the same number as France and Crystal Palace ace Mateta.

Prediction

It has been more than 30 years since a European nation won gold in the men's football at the Olympics and yet on Friday two teams from the continent battle it out for glory at the Parc des Princes as they look to follow in the footsteps of the Spanish side that triumphed on home soil in 1992.

There has been a lot to like about both France and Spain at this year's Olympics but La Roja look the better bet to get the job done in 90 minutes.

They have won all bar one match in the competition and their sole defeat came against Egypt in the group stage when they chose to ring the changes.

Otherwise, Spain have been imperious, winning both of their knockout matches against Japan and Morocco by an aggregate scoreline of 5-1.

The team is full of quality with Lopez the star of the show with four goals, while Garcia and Cubarsi look solid in defence.

France will know all too well what a glorious opportunity this is with players unlikely to break into the first team able to deliver a gold medal on home soil.

But they could buckle under pressure, having underperformed in the semi-finals.

They were nearly dumped out by Egypt last time out with only Mateta's 83rd-minute strike taking the game to extra-time and Spain's free-flowing football should see them over the line.

Etiquetas

France U23Spain U23Summer Olympics
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