Portugal VS France Match Prediction

The head-to-head record between Portugal and France strongly favours the Euro 2016 hosts, who have won this fixture 10 times out of 10, with Portugal never having beaten France in the finals of a major international tournament.

The last major international title France won, Euro 2000, came after they beat Portugal 2-1 in extra-time in the semi-final, with Zinedine Zidane scoring the winner to complete the comeback for his side, and the same player was on target in a 1-0 win in the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

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France are looking to repeat their success on home soil at Euro 84 and the 1998 World Cup.

Portugal v France: Prediction

Portugal have exceeded expectations to reach the final, while the hosts have only done half the job - France have to win the title on home soil and they are strong favourites to do so. Portugal's performance against Wales was by far their best showing of the tournament, but their defence has not faced an attack as strong as France's, which has scored two or more goals in nearly every game they have played at Euro 2016. France should have too much for Portugal in the final.

Portugal v France: Betting Tips

France are favourites but odds of evens represent good value on the hosts winning the game in 90 minutes, while they can be backed at 4/9 to lift the trophy. Outsiders Portugal are now 7/4 to win Euro 2016, while Fernando Santos' men are priced at 15/4 to win the game in 90 minutes, with the draw offered at 11/5. Griezmann's odds of 9/2 to score the first goal are tempting, while the Griezmann to score and France to win double is available at 9/4.
 

Portugal are sweating on the fitness of Pepe, who missed the 2-0 semi-final victory against Wales through injury, but the Real Madrid centre-back is expected to return. William Carvalho is also available to take his place in midfield after serving a suspension in the Wales match.

Forwards Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo were both on target in the semi-final and they each have three goals at the finals, while teenager Renato Sanches is a key man in the Portugal midfield.

Portugal likely XI: 

Patricio, Cedric, Fonte, Pepe, Guerreiro, Sanches, Danilo, Mario, W Carvalho, Nani, Ronaldo.

Didier Deschamps could name the same starting XI again after his team were superb in a 2-0 win over Germany in Thursday's semi-final. New Barcelona signing Samuel Umtiti has been excellent since coming into the France defence for Adil Rami, while Moussa Sissoko's energy has been crucial in the midfield, meaning N'Golo Kante is likely to miss out.

Antoine Griezmann has scored six goals at the finals and is thriving in a new central role, tucked in behind Olivier Giroud, with Dimitri Payet given freedom to roam around the pitch and create.

France likely XI: 

Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra, Matuidi, Pogba, Payet, Griezmann, Sissoko, Giroud.
 

Sunday\'s showpiece promises to be a fantastic occasion and the loud home crowd will act as a 12th men for France, who would be favourites even if the match was to be played on neutral territory. Antoine Griezmann is a man in the form of his life and Portugal will find it hard to stop him, while Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet are also match-winners. Cristiano Ronaldo belongs in that bracket of star men too, but France should come out on top and lift the trophy.

France have scored two or more goals in five of their six games at Euro 2016.