Euro 2024 has been defined by close matches, late goals and young players emerging on one of the biggest stages in world soccer. The tournament is down from 24 teams to eight quarterfinalists that will play Friday and Saturday across Germany.
Here are my preview and pick for Friday’s quarterfinal between Portugal and France in Hamburg.
The pick — Portugal-France draw (+205, DraftKings)
- DraftKings offer: Bet $5 and get $150 in Bonus Bets
With the magnitude of these teams, one might think it sets up as another great game like the one between Spain and Germany. However, based on how Portugal and France have looked through four matches, I wouldn’t be expecting well-played soccer and a bunch of goals.
The odds reflect such doubts. BetMGM is dealing under 2.5 total goals at -175 juice, while DraftKings has installed the same prop at -170.
France have scored three goals at the Euros, but two were on own goals with the other being a penalty kick. Les Bleus have created chances, but they haven’t been clinical in front of goal. Luckily for coach Didier Deschamps, his team has been led by a stout backline that has only given up a penalty-kick goal and nothing else in six hours of play.
Portugal have loads of talent, especially in attack, but they are coming off a match in which they failed to score in 120 minutes against Slovenia. The struggles can be attributed to one glaring mistake — starting 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who has failed to score in four games. I suspect manager Roberto Martinez will feel pressured to start Ronaldo again and Portugal will find it difficult to break down the French defense.
I’m expecting a low-scoring and cagey encounter between these two sides. That’s why I’m going to play the draw at +205.