3 minute read
Eight sides have been knocked out at the group stage, the most notable casualties being Croatia and the Czechs.
Only Spain managed to win all three games, and they also have the honour of the best defence – a clean sheet.
Hard luck story must go to Ukraine who finished on four points along with the other three in their group but failed to advance due to goal difference. However, Slovenia, with just three points earned in their group, move into the round of 16 as being one of the better third-placed sides.
Our three suggested wagers before a ball was kicked remain alive. France has drifted from $5.00 to $6.50 after some indifferent form, while Portugal firm slightly despite a shock defeat at the hands of Georgia in their final match. However, should both sides win their next games, they clash in the quarters.
Jamal Musiala needs to find the net one more time for Germany for our investment at $5.00 to pay off.
Looking ahead, England looks well served and remain favourites despite uninspiring form. The other seven sides on their half of the draw are Romania, The Netherlands, Austria, Turkey, Slovakia, Switzerland and Italy.
The two form sides to date, Spain and Germany, potentially meet in a quarter-final blockbuster.
Here's how the matchups in the first phase of the knockout stage look:
SWITZERLAND v ITALY: Sunday 30 June at 3.00am.
The Swiss secured qualification to this round with a fine 1-1 with Germany to maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament. A draw with the disappointing Scots was the low point, but a result under pressure against the in-form hosts showed what a formidable side they are.
Italy didn't really hit their straps during the group stage and only made it through with a 96th minute equaliser against Croatia. Scamacca up front looks out of his depth at this level and the Italians lack of firepower in front of goal will haunt them.
Italy defeated Switzerland 3-0 in Euro 2020, but on current form I can see the tables being turned.
Prediction: Fulltime result - Switzerland to win at $3.40* with bet365.
GERMANY v DENMARK: Sunday 30 June at 6.00am.
Germany's place in the final 16 never looked in doubt after they disposed of Scotland 5-1 in the opening game of the tournament. A talented squad with a fine mix of youth and experience playing on home soil has been the recipe for a resurgence in this proud footballing nation. They haven't been fully tested to this point coming out of a moderate group, but from what we have seen they are deserving of their place in the third line of betting to lift the trophy.
Three draws for Denmark saw them scrape through. Typical Danish fare at this level, with their stalemate with England clearly the highlight and the result that enabled their progress. They will be resilient and a tough test for the Germans, but it's hard to see them getting any further.
Prediction: Fulltime result - Germany to win at $1.65* with bet365.
ENGLAND v SLOVAKIA: Monday 1 July at 3.00am.
The England campaign to date has been predictable – full of expectation but ultimately disappointing. In a soft group they progressed comfortably enough but failed to dominate sides such as Denmark and Slovenia in uninspiring draws. Southgate has probably the best firepower in the tournament at his disposal but seems loath to cut it loose. If history is anything to go by, nothing much will change from this point forward.
Slovakia caused one of the upsets of the group stage when they defeated Belgium first-up. Just one more point was needed to move forward and that came against Romania on Wednesday. It was a remarkable group that saw the four sides practically cut each other's throats to wind up all square on four points. The Slovaks scraped in as a third-placed qualifier and they will go into this match against the tournament favourites with a nothing-to-lose attitude.
Prediction: Fulltime result - England to win at $1.40* with bet365.
SPAIN v GEORGIA: Monday 1 July at 6.00am.
Spain cruised through the so-called 'group of death' with three wins and three clean sheets. To the eye though the Croatians and Italians looked a little off-pace and maybe the group has been overestimated. However, the Spaniards got the job done with the 16-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal a revelation. The form has impressed punters who have elevated Spain to second favouritism, perhaps a little prematurely.
Georgia stunned most when they rolled Portugal 2-0 in their final match to secure a place in the final 16. It was a dream result for a side on debut in an international tournament. However, the Spanish shadow looms large – these sides drew the same qualifying group and the Georgians were thumped 7-1 and 3-1 in the two meetings. This looks a very tall order.
Prediction: Fulltime result - Spain to win at $1.20* with bet365.
FRANCE v BELGIUM: Tuesday 2 July at 3.00am.
The only win in three for the French in the group stage came via an own goal by Austria. They then dominated The Netherlands despite Mbappe's absence but were wasteful in front of goal. In the final match penalties were exchanged in a 1-1 with Poland. The glaring upshot of it all is that France has failed to score from their own boot in open play in three matches. It's been a classic example of style over substance.
Belgium overcame a shock loss to Slovakia in their opening game to get through the quadruple dead-heat group on goal difference. Their 2-0 win over surprise packets Romania was clearly the highlight. However, this tournament is looking like so many this millennia for the highly rated Belgians – promising but ultimately it will surprise if they go much further.
Prediction: Fulltime result - France to win at $1.90* with bet365.
PORTUGAL v SLOVENIA: Tuesday 2 July at 6.00am.
It looked like smooth sailing for the Portuguese until Georgia stunned them 2-0 on Wednesday, although to be fair they had already secured a spot in the final 16 and topping the group looked almost certain regardless of the result. Their win over Turkey was outstanding and Roberto Martinez's side can go all way on that form.
Slovenia has managed to progress despite being winless which is rare in the era of the three-point win. However, their efforts to hold Denmark and England deserve recognition and they will not be easy for Portugal to vanquish. I doubt they have many goals in them, and this opponent will be smarting after the Georgian result.
Prediction: Fulltime result - Portugal to win at $1.40* with bet 365.
ROMANIA v THE NETHERLANDS: Wednesday 3 July at 3.00am.
Romania was probably the most surprising group winner of the eight, achieving the feat by the closest of countbacks. A pulsating 3-0 over Ukraine in their opening match laid the foundation. Subsequently they were outclassed by Belgium then shared the spoils with Slovakia to emerge from a group that probably ranks as one of the weakest.
It has been a mixed campaign for The Netherlands who have only been ahead for seven minutes in total in their three games. A come-from-behind win over Poland opened things in good style. The French were clearly superior in game two but the Dutch did score what some perceived to be a fair goal only for a lengthy VAR intervention to overturn. The Oranje then came from behind twice but ultimately failed 3-2 against an underrated Austrian outfit to finish third in the group and qualify narrowly. They look a bit classy for Romania, but probably won't go much further.
Prediction: Fulltime result - The Netherlands to win at $1.44* with bet365
AUSTRIA v TURKEY: Wednesday 3 July at 6.00am.
Not the sexiest game of the eight but potentially the best between a couple of underrated sides.
Austria drew a very tough group and emerged on top thanks to an outstanding 3-2 win over the Dutch on the final day, a game they led three times. The defeat at the hands of France to open the campaign was also full of merit and could easily have gone the other way. Only their neighbours Germany has scored more goals to this stage.
Turkey also won twice in their group, the last coming through a 94th minute goal against the ten-man Czechs. The volatile Turks picked up 11 of 16 yellow cards in a fiery encounter that ultimately saw their opponents reduced to nine. It shouldn't gloss over the fact that Turkey play some enterprising football, but their 3-0 loss to Portugal showed they are a fair way off the big guns that remain.
Prediction: Fulltime result – Austria to win at $1.90* with bet365.
Suggested wagers for the round of 16.
Fulltime result - Switzerland to win: 5 units at $3.40* with bet365.
Austria to reach the semi-final stage: 5 units at $3.25* with bet365.
*Prices correct at 11.20am AEST Friday 28 June 2024.
What are you really gambling with? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
