Ace Football previews the UEFA Nations League match between France and Portugal, and offers the latest betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
One team will lose their 100% record on Sunday night’s Nations League showdown between France and Portugal at the Stade de France in Paris.
Portugal are the current leaders in Group A3 of the competition through a superior goal difference. The titleholders began their campaign in style by beating Croatia 4-1 before grabbing an impressive 2-0 win in Sweden.
France, on the other hand, beat the same opponents to claim maximum points ahead of the showdown in Paris.
Sunday night’s fixture has all the marking of a brilliant game in what will be France and Portugal’s first encounter since the Euro 2016 final.
France Form & Stats
Kylian Mbappe was on target to ensure France began their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 win over Sweden. A more convincing 4-2 win over Croatia followed in the next game to make it two wins out of two.
Facing Portugal will be Les Bleus’ biggest test to date in the competition. Although they will be confident, mostly thanks to a stunning 7-1 friendly win over Ukraine at the same venue last week. To be fair, though, Andriy Shevchenko’s side lost many players because of COVID-19 and injuries.
Nevertheless, France will be determined to take home the spoils of victory on Sunday night. They may be world champions, but that didn’t stop them failing to progress to the Nations League finals last time out.
But their excellent form, on top of a solid track record against Portugal, leaves them in a good stead for the big match.
Key Team Stats
- Unbeaten in last 20 home games in all competitions (W17 D3).
- Have won 18 of their last 25 meetings against Portugal in all competitions (D1 L6).
- Undefeated in 26 of their last 28 competitive games.
- Won nine of their last 10 games in all competitions (W9 D1).
- Over 3.5 goals in their last five games in all competitions.
- BTTS in four of last five home games in all competitions.
Portugal Form & Stats
A goalless stalemate against Spain in a friendly last week wasn’t the ideal warm-up, but Portugal will be raring to go all the same.
Fernando Santos’ side won their last meeting against France in 2016 in the European final, where Eder’s extra-time goal sealed a historic 1-0 victory. If the visitors can get a similar result, or even a point, they should leave satisfied.
Portugal, like their opponents, have been in remarkable form both at home and away. The 2-0 win in Sweden, where Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, proved the Navigators can mix it with anyone and anywhere.
Key Team Stats
- Won four of their last five away games in all competitions.
- Over 3.5 goals scored in their last five away games in all competitions.
- Lost just one of their last eight away games in all competitions (W6 D1).
- Lost 10 of their last 11 games against France in all competitions.
Team News
France: Dayot Upamecano (unwell); Leo Dubois (COVID-19).
Portugal: Mario Rui (injured); Anthony Lopes & Jose Fonte (both tested positive for COVID-19).
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Head-To-Head Record
| Date | Match | Score | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25/04/2001 | France v Portugal | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 05/07/2006 | France v Portugal | 1-0 | World Cup |
| 11/10/2014 | France v Portugal | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 04/09/2015 | Portugal v France | 0-1 | Friendly |
| 10/07/2016 | Portugal v France | 1-0 | Euro 2016 |
Match Facts
Betting Tips
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