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1. Portugal +320 ML vs. France
2. Portugal to Advance +160
Not going to be a popular pick but here it goes.
I’m playing Portugal to get it done in the 90 minutes.
The French played 2 great games so far this tournament and they happen to be their last 2 games. A lot of credit is given to the French for beating Brazil however, where Brazil failed was in their tactics and in their inability to play as a team. A collection of superstars without gelling as a team. They were poorly coached almost as if they were given free reign to just go out and play. While it almost worked, it came back to bite them.
Portugal comes to the game much better organized. In the battle of Domeneche vs. Scolari, how can you not give the edge to Scolari in this match?
For all their good play the last two games, this is still an older French team while Portugal is a younger side and should be able to outpace them the majority of the game. The Portuguese were my darkhorse selection going in to this tournament and now they are 1 game away from a date with the Italians.
Remember, this Portugal team is essentially the same team that made it to the Euro finals two years ago. They have the youthful energy and have more options up front than the French.
The midfield might be a clogged area of the field in this game as the Portuguese welcome back Deco and Costninha. That strengthens the midfield and provides more options. I did read that both teams might essentially come out with what amounts to a 4-5-1 so space will be at a premium. The French remember, still struggled with Zidane in the lineup against Switzerland and Korea. The French are still dining out on their successes of 1998 when they won the tournament on home soil and then won Euro 2000. Remember though that France exited the last world cup and Euro 2004 without scoring a goal. Makelele, Thuram and Zidane had to be lured out of international retirement for this campaign.
I’m not going to jump on their bandwagon because of their last 2 or 3 games. Especially since there is no way I make Portugal a 3-1 dog.
Scolari gets my vote over Domenech. That will ultimately be the difference in the end. Expect to see a clogged midfield as both teams will come out with their 4-5-1 formations. However, the Portuguese have created more chances all tournament long showing more creativity on offense.
France has generated only 59 shots at goal this tournament with only 26 of those shots actually finding their way on the net. 17 of those shots came in their game vs. Togo. Portugal has managed to fire off 75 shots on net with 38 of them hitting the net.
A look at the benches also shows that the French players have logged more minutes this tournament too. Vierra, Gallas, Markalel, Thuram and Sagnol have played every minute of every game. Henry has played 442 minutes. Portugal has seen heavy minutes logged by Carvahlo (480) Meira (480) and Miguel (450). Everyone else has seen much less time. Maniche has seen 385 minutes, Deco has seen 156, Pauletta 287, Valente 390 and so on. The Portuguese have better depth and Scolari and thanks to the way that Scolari has managed his team to this point in time, the Portuguese will have more options and fresher legs.
I’m not going to put too much stock into the fact that the Portuguese have had a poor history against the French. Those teams of years gone by are not the same. Portugal, as I mentioned, were Euro finalists two years ago and this team has played together as a unit since that time and they have played well. Scolari is a better tactician than Domeneche and as mentioned he has used his depth to an advantage (albeit admittedly forced due to the card trouble) and has younger and more energetic legs to take him in to battle. It has been a ride for the French but I think it comes to an end in this match.
I’m playing the price here and backing the Portuguese to advance and to win this game within the 90 minutes.
2. Portugal to Advance +160
Not going to be a popular pick but here it goes.
I’m playing Portugal to get it done in the 90 minutes.
The French played 2 great games so far this tournament and they happen to be their last 2 games. A lot of credit is given to the French for beating Brazil however, where Brazil failed was in their tactics and in their inability to play as a team. A collection of superstars without gelling as a team. They were poorly coached almost as if they were given free reign to just go out and play. While it almost worked, it came back to bite them.
Portugal comes to the game much better organized. In the battle of Domeneche vs. Scolari, how can you not give the edge to Scolari in this match?
For all their good play the last two games, this is still an older French team while Portugal is a younger side and should be able to outpace them the majority of the game. The Portuguese were my darkhorse selection going in to this tournament and now they are 1 game away from a date with the Italians.
Remember, this Portugal team is essentially the same team that made it to the Euro finals two years ago. They have the youthful energy and have more options up front than the French.
The midfield might be a clogged area of the field in this game as the Portuguese welcome back Deco and Costninha. That strengthens the midfield and provides more options. I did read that both teams might essentially come out with what amounts to a 4-5-1 so space will be at a premium. The French remember, still struggled with Zidane in the lineup against Switzerland and Korea. The French are still dining out on their successes of 1998 when they won the tournament on home soil and then won Euro 2000. Remember though that France exited the last world cup and Euro 2004 without scoring a goal. Makelele, Thuram and Zidane had to be lured out of international retirement for this campaign.
I’m not going to jump on their bandwagon because of their last 2 or 3 games. Especially since there is no way I make Portugal a 3-1 dog.
Scolari gets my vote over Domenech. That will ultimately be the difference in the end. Expect to see a clogged midfield as both teams will come out with their 4-5-1 formations. However, the Portuguese have created more chances all tournament long showing more creativity on offense.
France has generated only 59 shots at goal this tournament with only 26 of those shots actually finding their way on the net. 17 of those shots came in their game vs. Togo. Portugal has managed to fire off 75 shots on net with 38 of them hitting the net.
A look at the benches also shows that the French players have logged more minutes this tournament too. Vierra, Gallas, Markalel, Thuram and Sagnol have played every minute of every game. Henry has played 442 minutes. Portugal has seen heavy minutes logged by Carvahlo (480) Meira (480) and Miguel (450). Everyone else has seen much less time. Maniche has seen 385 minutes, Deco has seen 156, Pauletta 287, Valente 390 and so on. The Portuguese have better depth and Scolari and thanks to the way that Scolari has managed his team to this point in time, the Portuguese will have more options and fresher legs.
I’m not going to put too much stock into the fact that the Portuguese have had a poor history against the French. Those teams of years gone by are not the same. Portugal, as I mentioned, were Euro finalists two years ago and this team has played together as a unit since that time and they have played well. Scolari is a better tactician than Domeneche and as mentioned he has used his depth to an advantage (albeit admittedly forced due to the card trouble) and has younger and more energetic legs to take him in to battle. It has been a ride for the French but I think it comes to an end in this match.
I’m playing the price here and backing the Portuguese to advance and to win this game within the 90 minutes.