Euro 2024: This Match is All About Les Bleus

Greece vs France

When France head to the historic city of Athens on Tuesday there isn’t a lot to play for in terms of qualification; but both Les Bleus and their hosts, Greece, have a real purpose.

Greece need to gather some momentum; and that means not taking a hammering from Didier Deschamps’ team which has just cruelly dismantled Gibraltar. France will be keen to finish their campaign with a 100 per cent record and the eyes of the world will be on Kylian Mbappe and co.

The Netherlands started this round of Group B fixtures locked on 12 points, level with Greece but with a game in hand. But a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Saturday has confirmed the Oranje’s attendance at Euro 2024 in Germany, while third placed Greece, already six points ahead of Ireland, know they are heading for the play-offs. 

Is Les Bleus’ 100 per cent record really under threat when they meet Greece in Athens? It is…but I don’t really believe the French will fall.

Talking Points

Record breakers

France’s lust for goals was spectacularly on display on Saturday when they met Gibraltar, but it was a painful experience for the islanders. Les Bleus won 14-0, a record score line as Mbappe scored a hat-trick and Olivier Giroud climbed off the bench to bag a late brace. Giroud is France’s top scorer of all time, with 56 goals, but Mbappe is in hot pursuit with 46. 

The 14 goal rout was made easier when Gibraltar had a player sent off with just 18 minutes on the clock and it beat the previously most brutal bashing in the competition, a 13-0 win for Germany over San Marino, in qualifying for Euro 2008. France’s biggest win before Saturday was a 10-0 thrashing of Azerbaijan in 1995. And there was another record breaker who had a mixed night; 17 year old Warren Zaire-Emery became Les Bleus’ youngest ever goal scorer on his debut, but the PSG academy player later went off injured.   

Mbappe will be keen to continue his stellar campaign; the PSG man fired Les Bleus to Germany in a 2-1 win away to the Netherlands and his thirst for goals is never quenched….and that is not good news for the Greeks. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are homing in on a perfect campaign record, looking for their tenth win from ten when they meet Iceland on Sunday night, and Les Bleus are set to follow the Selecao with a perfect set of Euro 2024 results. 

This match is a useful benchmark for Greece

With the play-off ordeal to come Greece need to be on their game, and you can’t get a better test than the rampant French team. But Gus Poyet’s team are in pretty good shape, with three wins from the last four. They come intothis game on the back of a 2-0 friendly win over New Zealand and looked the stronger side throughout. Greece went ahead through a Michael Wood own goal and Giorgos Giakoumakis smashed in a rebound to make it 2-0 on 28 minutes.

Olympiacos forward Giorgos Masouras is a lively customer but he may struggle to see much of the ball against a star studded France line-up, while Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas may expect a busier night. Manager Poyet is a proud man and he will instil that sense of pride when his team takes on arguably the best international side on the planet. The hosts will need to be at their very best but they will leave nothing on the pitch.  

History

France are twice champions of Europe, in 1984 and 2000, but their opponents have been the Kings of Europe more recently. Greece were European champions in 2004 when they upset the odds by beating Portugal 1-0.

The early Euro 2024 betting odds say it could well be another successful year for Les Bleus.

When the two teams met earlier in this competition France won a hard fought game 1-0. Mbappe scored a retaken penalty after Greek defenders encroached. The spot kick was awarded when Konstantinos Mavropanos almost booted Antoine Griezmann’s head off and the Greece defender later received his marching orders for a foul on Randal Kolo Muani.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP odds point to a France victory and who am I to argue with that?! Greece can be backed at 5.75 or the Draw at 3.95, but I don’t think they’ll stop Les Bleus from reaching their goal…and scoring a few. 

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.