France U23 vs Argentina U23 Predictions

• Both teams have scored in two of Argentina’s three group games and four of their seven qualifiers
• France have kept three clean sheets in the Olympic tournament, but their goal has led a charmed life
• Only poor finishing from Ukraine gave Argentina their first clean sheet of the competition on Tuesday

Both teams can bag in Bordeaux

A mouthwatering Olympic men’s football quarter-final is in prospect when hosts France meet bitter rivals Argentina in Bordeaux on Friday.

Thierry Henry’s side topped Group A with three wins out of three, beating the United States, Guinea and New Zealand — all with clean sheets. But they were not as defensively sound as those results suggest and will undoubtedly face their toughest tournament opponent in Argentina.

Javier Mascherano’s men finished behind Morocco in Group B after a dramatic and controversial defeat to the African nation in their opening clash.

Almada and Olise offer hope for goals 

Argentina beat Iraq and Ukraine to advance to the last eight with Thiago Almada scoring in both. The Atlanta United playmaker will be a key player against the French as everything tends to go through him and, if allowed space and time, he can hurt Les Bleus.

France are not short on attacking talent themselves with Michael Olise being one of their most impressive stars so far, so the stage has been set for a titanic tussle between two gold medal contenders.

Both teams look better going forward than at the back and it would be no surprise to see each team fashion enough chances for at least a goal apiece.

The US hit the woodwork in their 3-0 defeat to France while Guinea had two goals chalked off for tight offsides and saw another effort cleared off the line in their 1-0 loss. Meanwhile, only poor finishing from Ukraine gave Argentina their only clean sheet of the competition.