Deep dive into the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final, it's Portugal against France. An exciting matchup, a bit like choosing between a croissant and a pastel de nata - both have their merits, but someone's got to edge it out.
Let's talk goalies. Maignan's been a fortress for France, with a 7.48 rating and 12 saves. Portugal's Costa, however, has a stand-up rating of 7.10, though his 6 saves don't highlight a particularly busy tournament.
For France, the top players have been delivering steady performances so far. Barcola's pass accuracy of 86.4%, coupled with Mbappé's goal-scoring ability, bodes well. However, they'll be missing the meritorious Rabiot, who's sadly warming the injury bench today.
Over to Portugal, we see Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes are both having a great tournament with a goal each. João Félix, although still waiting to open his account, has been considerable with a 95.1% pass accuracy.
France seems favored, like a slightly overzealous mime at a Parisian cafe, but these games are never that simple. Last time these teams faced off, it was a draw. In the tournament though, Portugal boasts a marginally better record - their two victories compared to France's single win might look small, but it could prove vital.
In terms of recent results, both teams have had their fair share of contests, but France has remained unbeaten. Portugal, on the other hand, experienced a loss to Georgia, which serves as a black spot in their recent performances.
Therefore, in a battle tighter than my jeans after a holiday, I'm swaying slightly towards France due to their consistent recent performance. Perhaps the absence of Rabiot won't be as impactful as I'm making it out to be. It's likely to be a clash of titans with a small error making the difference.
Albert’s Prediction: France by 1