Nerves really looked like they were an issue for the full 90 minutes for Albania in its first ever match in the Euros. The Red and Blacks had their chances against Switzerland, but they made just far too many mistakes on both sides of the pitch and didn't deserve any points. They can't be eliminated on Wednesday against France, but a bad loss will see them out of the field. The French meanwhile, will be hoping for three more points to secure at least a second place finish in Group A, and potentially the group title as well.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
France -470
Albania +1600
Draw +525
Over/Under 2.5 (over -120)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Albania isn't long for this tournament in all likelihood. It was one of the biggest dogs to win the Euros at their outset for good reason, and though they looked like they had an opportunity to hang in there against Switzerland every step of the way, they never looked like a team with any chance against a powerhouse like France.
Les Bleus are -470 favorites on the moneyline, and though they're currently listed at -1.5 and -145 vig on the Asian Handicap as of the publication of this article, it wouldn't be surprising to see them lined at -2 by the time this one kicks off.
Of course, with a spread which is that high, the total is relatively low. The number to beat is 2.5 and -120 vig on the under.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE
Even though argument could be made that both teams deserved different results than what they got from their opening matches, it's tough to say that anything happened except what truly was expected in the first place.
France wasn't dominant against Romania as many figured would be the cost, but the hosts got the job done, albeit with a wonder strike by Dimitri Payet in the closing stages of the game to rescue the three points in a 2-1 win.
Albania trailed for 85 of the 90 minutes against Switzerland, but it had its chances for sure. Amir Abrashi missed the chance of the match in the closing stages, though. He could've made himself a hero for his nation, but instead of helping the Albanians earn their first ever point in this tournament, he ended up turning himself into the goat in the 1-0 defeat.
LIVE BETTING
The big question we're going to have for Albania in this match is from a leadership standpoint. There were just too many problems at the back as it was before Lorik Cana was dismissed for his second yellow card, and we just don't know who this team is going to turn to for its captaincy. There isn't another individual nearly as qualified as Cana.
Things could've been much worse for Albania in that opening match if not for some really good moments from Etrit Berisha in net. He made a huge blunder for sure with the opening goal of the match from Fabian Schar in the air, but he was big in the second half.
With the way France just continues to throw men forward towards net because of its lack of great play in defense, you just know opportunities are going to be there. It won't take Les Bleus an hour to put one home in all likelihood as was the case against Romania.
QUICK PICK
When this soccer tournament is said and done with, we'll probably look back at the Albania loss as the heartbreaking moment of the tournament. The team put so much energy into running around after Switzerland for almost an hour without Cana in the lineup, and though the team didn't concede again, it would've wanted so much more if it had figured out how to equalize.
France cannot make mistakes here. The team probably already has enough points to get into the next stage of the competition, but a draw would seem like a disaster to Paris. We suspect we'll see a better version of Les Bleus in this match. Don't be surprised if Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann are much better and help this team get the ball in the back of the net a healthy amount of times.
Euro 2016 Odds: France 3, Albania 0
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