Tom McGarry’s selections for Friday night’s quarter-final clash include a draw in 90 minutes with Cristiano Ronaldo to continue shooting on sight.
Portugal and France will be content to have made it through to the last eight at Euro 2024, but neither team have done much to suggest they could go on and win the competition.
Les Bleus were highly fancied before the tournament, but their two wins have both come from own goals and the only time they themselves have netted was via a Kylian Mbappe penalty in a 1-1 draw with Poland.
Portugal, meanwhile, have gone off the boil after losing 2-0 to Georgia and needing penalties to see of Slovenia after 120 goalless minutes in Frankfurt, so there is room for improvement for both teams
Best bets
Draw
2/1
Over 4.5 Portugal corners
19/20
Cristiano Ronaldo to have two or more shots on target
19/10
Challengers may prove difficult to split
With France and Portugal both flattering to deceive in the tournament so far, it is difficult to get a grip on what may happen in Hamburg on Friday.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has a dangerous squad but they are not firing and they needed a last-gasp goal to beat the Czech Republic in their opener after falling behind.
The same can be said of France, who have been unable to take their numerous opportunities so far, so while this looks a potentially exciting match on paper, actual events may not be as action-packed.
There are plenty of questions for both teams to answer, although the only goal Les Bleus have conceded in the tournament was a Robert Lewandowski penalty.
They restricted both the Netherlands and Belgium to minimal opportunities, but there looks a strong chance that it will take more than 90 minutes to separate this pair, so the betting value looks to lie in backing the draw at
2/1
.
Corners could be plentiful
Wide areas are set to be utilised by both teams and that could mean plenty of corners in the Hamburg clash, especially from the Portuguese.
No team in the tournament has earned more flag kicks than their tally of 36 from their four matches and they have forced double-figures in three of their games, so there looks a strong chance they can get more than four.
Ronaldo should have his eye on goal
Cristiano Ronaldo had a night to forget against Slovenia, culminating in having a penalty saved by Jan Oblak during extra time, but it seems sensible to believe that he will look to bounce back stronger than ever.
Ever keen to be the centre of attention, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star will be desperate to make a big impression and has already had 20 attempts at goal during the tournament.
He is never shy to try his luck and there seems a good chance he will call the French goalkeeper into action more than once.
Visit Betway’s Euro 2024 odds page.
