Alex Hilton
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It’s business time at Euro 2024 as quarterfinal action gets underway on Friday, July 5, with a pair of huge matchups between 4 of the world’s best soccer nations. First up, we have Spain taking on tournament hosts Germany at 12:00 pm ET live on FOX, before Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal lock horns with Kylian Mbappe and France at 3:00 pm ET, also live on FOX. Will this be Ronaldo and Pepe’s final game in a Portugal shirt? We have expert soccer predictions for EVERY Euro 2024 and Copa America game throughout both tournaments, but for now, let’s dive into our Euro 2024 best bets for Friday.
Spain vs Germany best bet: Both teams to score (-135)
Germany were somewhat fortunate to get past Denmark as the Red and Whites cruelly had a goal ruled out by VAR by the finest of margins, although Die Mannschaft did grow into the game and still hit the target with 9 of their 14 shots. That level of accuracy is a good sign as it will be required to net against Spain, who have excelled at not allowing their opponents many opportunities. Georgia could only manage 4 shots against La Roja, none of which hit the target, while Italy mustered up the same measly number in their 1-0 group-stage defeat.
However, Germany have far more talented attackers than those teams – especially Italy, who crashed out with a dismal display against Switzerland in the Last 16 – and should have enough to score against Spain. Keeping them out could be another issue entirely though. Spain looked rampant against Georgia, and in Alvaro Morata, Nico Williams, Fabian Ruiz and Lamine Yamal, they have a quartet of potent goal-getters who could hurt the Germans, who looked shaky at times against Denmark. Therefore, expect goals at both ends in this red-hot quarterfinal.
Read our full Spain vs Germany predictions
Portugal vs France best bet: France ML (+135)
A heavily deflected goal in the 85th minute in Dusseldorf saw France claim a deserved win against Belgium on Monday and they should be able to reach the final four when they face Portugal in Hamburg. Les Bleus certainly haven’t set the tournament alight like many expected, with 2 of their 3 goals being own goals and the only goal scored by a French player coming from the penalty spot, but you get the feeling it is only a matter of time before they spring into life.
Didier Deschamps’ team has generated 6.8 expected goals, a tally only bettered by Germany and Spain, while allowing a tournament-best 2.6 expected goals against. They are also in the top 3 teams for shots taken and second for shots against, which is an impressive feat considering the quality of their opposition so far. They have faced the likes of the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria, and Portugal represent another tough test, but the Selecao were taken to penalties by Slovenia on Monday and haven’t looked at their best so far in this tournament. They needed a late winner against Czech Republic and have failed to score in 210 minutes of action against huge underdogs Georgia and Slovenia, while some of the more veteran members of the squad may struggle to recover after the demands of extra-time, such as 41-year-old Pepe and 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Read our full Portugal vs France predictions
