Super Turtle Predicts Euro 2020: France Win Over Portugal

Reporters' views

Carlos Machado, Portugal reporter: Playing France knowing that they need a result is not how Portugal wanted to go into their last group game, with elimination still a possibility. As he did in 2016, Fernando Santos had an informal chat and press conference solely for the Portuguese press, where he talked about tactics and the need to refresh the team, and where he took responsibility for Portugal's joint-biggest EURO defeat. They will face the world champions aiming to secure their last-16 place without relying on results elsewhere, cited Uefa.

David Crossan, France reporter: The message from Didier Deschamps to his squad after the disappointing result against Hungary was simple: "Win against Portugal and we'll top the group." After suffering physically in sweltering conditions, Les Bleus will be relieved to be playing after the Budapest sun goes down. I expect to see more energy and purpose from Deschamps' side – and that Karim Benzema will finally score his first EURO goal on his ninth appearance in the finals.

Storylines

Portugal: As things stand, just a draw will guarantee they finish as one of the four best third-place teams. Easier said than done against France, as they want to win the group. But a loss could put them in a tricky situation. Let's say France were to win 3-0. If that occurs and both Spain and Croatia win, which is realistic and expected, Portugal would be on the outside looking in. They can't worry too much about everything else going on though as they control their own destiny. It's a rematch of the Euro 2016 final ... and hardly anybody gave Portugal much of a chance there.

France: A win for France will guarantee them first place in the group, meaning they would play a third-place team in the next round. A draw might not be enough though, as Germany are favored against Hungary and would win the group with a victory as long as France fail to win. As a result, don't expect a lot of rotation of the reigning World Cup champs. But France are expecting a lot more results in attack. Through two Euro matches, they have scored just one goal on their own (they also got an own goal), and the finishing just hasn't been sharp. The squad produced 15 shots against Hungary last time out but had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Perhaps we see Olivier Giroud get a bit more time here as Karim Benzema continues to get back into the flow of things after his unexpected return, cited cbssport.

Cristiano Ronaldo. Alexander Photo: Getty Images/Hassenstein

Portugal vs France prediction

Prediction: Portugal 1 - 2 France

Portugal started strongly against Germany, but two own goals in the space of four first half minutes saw A Selecao eventually fall to a 4-2 defeat. Currently third in Group F, a draw may still be enough to book a spot in the next round of Euro 2020.

France need only to avoid defeat to secure their place in the knockout stages of the competition. The pair were drawn in the same UEFA Nations League group, with Les Bleus picking up four points from their two meetings with Portugal.

In a repeat of the Euro 2016 final, France may just edge out Portugal to secure first in the Group of Death, cited knowinsiders.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Portugal wins: 6

Draws: 2

France wins: 19

Portugal vs France team news

Despite Fernando Santos’s cautious approach against Germany, Portugal were weak at the back and changes could be made against France, with midfielder Renato Sanches expected to start in place of Bernardo Silva. Joao Felix and Nuno Mendes both missed the defeat in Munich but have since trained with the rest of the squad.

Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema will be disappointed to have only found the net once so far. Didier Deschamps does have alternatives up front in Olivier Giroud, Kingsley Coman and Wissam Ben Yedder - but Ousmane Dembele was ruled out of the tournament on Monday with a knee injury.

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