Spain and France meet in the first semi-final of Euro 2024 and it has all the ingredients to be an epic encounter.
The winner of the heavyweight clash will meet either the Netherlands or England in Sunday’s final.
Fancy a bet on Euro 2024? NetBet is the place to be, particularly with our BetBuilder feature. Read on for our latest tournament preview.
Spain vs France
Tuesday, July 9, 8pm
Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Live on BBC One
Preview
What a game we have in prospect here. Spain have arguably been the best team of the tournament so far, combining slick attacking play with both calmness and defensive nous.
La Roja defeated hosts Germany 2-1 in an epic quarter-final clash thanks to a 119th-minute winner from substitute Mikel Merino, displaying levels of grit and determination that could help steer them to glory.
France have been a disappointment at Euro 2024 thus far. In fact, they have failed to score from open play and had to win a penalty shootout to get past Portugal in their last match following a drab 0-0 draw.
However, Les Bleus have looked very strong at the back, with William Saliba, Jules Kounde and goalkeeper Mike Maignan all performing brilliantly.
France’s defensive guns can certainly frustrate Spain’s vibrant attack, although keeping Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal quiet should prove to be their toughest examination yet.
But this looks like another game which will be won in midfield. If Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo can win their battle against N’Golo Kante, Aurelien Tchouameni and the returning Adrien Rabiot, victory is there for the taking.
France boss Didier Deschamps will hope his star-studded attack can make an impact even if they get overrun in midfield, though and in captain Kylian Mbappe, he has a player who can win any match with one moment of magic.
And with Spain missing key defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand through suspension, the French forward line may finally be able to click into action at the sixth time of asking.
If France’s attack does not pose a serious threat like in their previous five matches, we cannot see the defence holding out against an in-form Spanish unit.
Odds
*Odds are subject to change
Spain’s bright form, which has seen them score 11 goals and concede only two at this tournament, means they are favourites here at 2.71. France are priced at 3.01.
Betting Tips
Tight Affair
While we all want goals aplenty, that is usually not the case in a major semi-final. As such, we can see this being a low-scoring thriller, with perhaps just the one goal deciding who makes the journey to Berlin for the final. Under 1.5 goals scored is at 2.44.
Big Game Player
And one man who could break the deadlock is Rodri. Yes, he is a defensive midfielder by trade but he has a knack for scoring big goals, case in point the 2023 Champions League final with Manchester City. Rodri to score anytime is 9.80 and if you are feeling brave, he is at 19.00 to score first in Munich.
Second Half Heroics
If you fancy a Spain winner in the second half but do not want to go specific on the scorer, the game to be a draw at half-time and La Roja to secure victory after the break is at 4.10.
Spain Team News
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Simon, Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Ruiz, Olmo, Yamal, Morata, Williams
Suspensions: Carvajal, Le Normand
France Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Mbappe, Griezmann
Suspensions: None
Score Prediction
Spain 1-0 France
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