Sports

Euro 2016 Final – Portugal v France

Stade de France, Paris, – Monday 11th July, 3AM AWST

Recent Form

Portugal 2 v Wales 0

France 2 v Germany 0

Head to Head

France 18 – Portugal 5 – Drawn 1

Recent Match

2015 International Friendly– Portugal 0 v France 1

Match Overview

Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho will return from suspension and is likely to go straight in to the team replacing Pereira.

Pepe also looks likely to recover from his thigh injury and should take his place in defense for Portugal.

France have no injured or suspended players.

Portuguese Manager Fernando Santos has stated that he doesn’t believe that Portugal are the best team in the world but believes in the spirit within the team. They are worthy opponents for France in the Final of Euro 2016.

For France and its Manager Didier Deschamps there is a sense of belonging, knowing that France is chasing a hatrick of wins in major tournaments on home soil.

After France knocked out Germany on Friday morning Deschamps said “Germany are a great team-World Champions and they made it tough for us today.  But we came through and I am so happy for the players and the French Nation.”

France have been the highest scoring team in Euro 2016 with 13 goals scored and only four against.

They have averaged 2.17 goals per match and scored two goals in their most recent match.

Portugal have scored eight and conceded five but did score two goals in their most recent match. For the first time this tournament they are starting to score freely which is a good indicator that more goals are to follow.

More goals have been scored as the tournament has progressed. There is no reason that this trend will end here with the powerful forward players both teams possess.

For France, Antoine Griezmann leads all scorers with six tournament goals and he has been supported by Dimitri Payet and Olivier Giroud both with three goals each.

Behind this band of goal scoring talent awaits Paul Pogba (1 goal) who may have left it to the final to play to his full potential.

Portugal have been led by Ronaldo and Nani both with three goals. They also have had the support of the ever dangerous Renato Sanches and the unpredictable genius of Quaresma both having scored once.

A better Final could not be scripted.  France as a nation have been through so much in the past few years and they are strong favourites to win this tournament.

Both teams will have their moments but I expect France to win in an extra-time thriller.

Player Watch

For Portugal it has to be Ronaldo. He will be attracting a lot of attention from the France defense.  Expect Quaresma to come off the bench and play a role late in this match.

Deschamps subbed off Payet early in the second half of the Semi-Final and he will be nice and fresh for this match.  Griezmann has been the player to watch with his pace and control and will most likely score again but he will have a lot of company all match.

Match Result

France to win 3-2 Extra Time

Bet Suggestions

Option 1 – France to lift the trophy $1.45*

Option 2 – Game Total +2.5 $2.60*

Option 3- Anytime goal scorers Payet and Quaresma

*Odds correct as at 12pm 8 July and subject to change.

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