We head into the final stretch of games in the UEFA Nations League hos weekend. For this one, the two teams at the summit of League A3 go head-to-head. Will the Portuguese make it to the finals of the Nations League once again? In the same vein, will the French progress to the finals for the first time?
It is no news that France has a better head-to-head record. However, they haven't managed to get their 2016 heartbreak. However, it is to be noted that they have only clashed once since Portugal lifted the cup on French soil. This particular game is only about a month ago when both sides renewed their acquaintance. Unfortunately, they played out a goalless draw as both teams remained level on points at the top of the table.
Matters heating up at the summit of the group
Both teams are level on points at the top of League A3 in the UEFA Nations League. Portugal leads the way with a slim +3 goal difference, as such, will hope not to lose this game since that would mean the concession of the top spot. France, on the other hand, needs to get this win since Portugal will most likely win their last game away at Croatia, who have nothing but pride to play for.
The Portuguese followed that 0-0 draw with a 3-0 win at home to Sweden even with the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. Diogo Jota, with two goals, and Bernardo Silva were both on the scoresheet. In their warm-up game against Andorra, Santos and his troops put seven past Andorra in a game in which we saw Ronaldo edge closer to the international goals record.
Deschamps and his troops also managed to do a couple better than the point they picked up against Portugal in their next match against Croatia. Griezmann's 8th-minute opener was cancelled out by Vlasic's leveller in the second half as the French looked on the edge. However, Mbappe came up trump on the 79th minute with the winning goal.
The French team were absolutely shambolic in their own warm-up game against Finland on Wednesday night. Two quickfire goals from Finland handed them their first-ever win over the French who haven't lost in the last 12 matches. As such, the French faithful will certainly hope this isn't the case as they head into this massive six-pointer
Portugal vs France Team News
Portugal possible starting XI:
Patricio; Guerreiro, Dias, Cancelo; Danilo, Sanches, Fernandes; Bernardo, Ronaldo, Felix
France possible starting XI:
Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Kimembe, Hernandez; Pogba, Kante, Martial, Griezmann, Coman; Giroud
Portugal vs France Prediction: 1-1
It is hard to pick a clear winner for this game given the talents in each side. However, we don't see them playing another goalless draw given that this one is basically a must-win for both sides. As such, we would be sitting on the fence as we expect this to be a tightly-contested affair.