Euro 2024: Spain vs France Prediction - La Roja to demonstrate their class again
Spain and France go head-to-head in another heavyweight Euro 2024 showdown with a place in the final at stake.
La Roja have been the best side in the tournament so far and knocked out hosts Germany 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals, while France, who were well fancied before the action got underway this summer, have made it to the semis despite failing to display their best form.
With a host of world stars in both squads this Munich clash is expected to be tight but Spain can edge through at the expense of Les Bleus, who have struggled to find much rhythm yet at the Euros.
Team news
Spain will be forced into making at least three changes for the semi-final clash.
Defenders Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal are both suspended, so Nacho and Jesus Navas are expected to come into the line-up, while Pedri's knee injury means he will play no part with Dani Olmo tipped to start in midfield.
Adrien Rabiot is available for France again after serving his one-match ban, but Eduardo Camavinga, who deputised against Portugal last time, could well keep his place.
Elsewhere, Didier Deschamps is believed to be considering dropping Antoine Griezmann for Ousmane Dembele, while striker Kylian Mbappe will continue to wear a mask to protect his injured nose.
Tip 1 - Spain to win (Full Time) @ 9/5
Spain have caught the eye from the off in Germany and, out of the four semi-finalists, have been the most consistent and well balanced side.
La Roja began the tournament with a statement 3-0 success over Croatia in Group B and then edged out Italy 1-0 to secure their place in the knockout stage.
A much-changed side maintained their 100% record with a 1-0 win over Albania before a 4-1 last-16 success over Georgia, when they showed plenty of character to come from 1-0 down, underlined their credentials as potential overall winners of Euro 2024.
Their narrow victory over the hosts on Friday came in extra-time thanks to Mikel Merino’s late winner so Luis de la Fuente’s men, who are the only nation to have won all five games so far, should have plenty of confidence going into the last-four showdown with France.
Les Bleus have not been anywhere near as free-flowing but are one game away from the final despite the fact no player in a France shirt has scored from open play. Instead, Deschamps’ men have progressed due to an Mbappe penalty, two own goals and a victory over Portugal in the last eight on spot-kicks following a goalless draw after 120 minutes.
Mbappe looks to have been hampered by the broken nose he suffered in the opening group game against Austria, with the Real Madrid forward having been forced to wear a mask since. The 25-year-old has often got into good positions but his finishing has been wayward with just eight of his 20 attempts being on target.
Meanwhile, Griezmann, Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani are among the French stars yet to perform to anywhere near their best levels in Germany.
Up against opponents with real momentum, who are the joint top-scorers with 11 goals and also have only conceded twice, France’s somewhat fortunate run to the latter stages could be set to come to an end.
Tip 2 - Dani Olmo to score or give an assist @ 23/10
Olmo dazzled when coming off the bench early on for the injured Pedri against Germany, scoring the opener and then providing the cross for Merino to head home the dramatic winner with penalties looming.
The RB Leipzig man also scored in the last-16 clash against Georgia and has had 14 attempts, five of which have been on target, in the tournament so far.
Olmo looks a good selection in the goal or assist market at 23/10 as he appears to be in the mood to make a positive impact in the final third as he looks to help Spain go all the way in the competition.