After being cancelled earlier in the year and with the tournament now moving to the summer of 2021, the Euro 2020 playofff semifinal contests will be played this coming week across Thursday, with seven of the eight games kicking off at 7.45pm UK time.
A total of 16 teams will be competing in these one-off games for a place in the Euro 2020 Playoff finals, four of which will be contested between the winning teams from the semifinals in November 2021. The winners of those four finals will join the 20 teams already qualified for the finals, which are set to take place across Europe next summer at a number of different venues.
If you would like to have a bet on the outcome of the eight Euro 2020 Playoff semifinal games taking place this week across Europe and you need to sign up with a site that offers a fine range of bets across all eight games, then the place to start is with the latest bet365 New Player Bonus offer.
Bet365 Sport Open Account Offer
Up to ÂŁ100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit ÂŁ5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
As a new player you will receive up to ÂŁ100 in bet credits once you start betting on the site through the bonus offer, but you also gain access to all other bet365 sites, as well as all the different bet365 Sports features including In Play betting, Live Streaming (which is free if you have a credit balance in your account, or have made a bet inside the previous 24 hours) and Virtual Sports betting too.
Remember too if you are based in states in the United States that offer sports betting then you can also enjoy a few bets on these games. In Pennsylvania, the latest BetRivers Promo Code offer can get you a great deal when signing up with that particular site. The same casino also offers a deal in Indiana, this time though it is a BetRIvers Affiliate Code offer that uses the code “HOOSIERBONUS” when signing up to access a special deal for customers that use the code word.
Another option for punters in states like Nevada and New Jersey that offer sports betting is the DraftKings Online Sportsbook service, which offers a great range of bets as well as a good value starter offer too.
Let’s take a closer look now at the eight semifinal clashes that are taking place across Europe this Thursday evening, starting with a brief description of how the games have been organised and where the winning teams that progress into the Euro 2020 tournament will end up.
Euro 2020 Playoff Semifinals
All games are single leg ties with the winning team, decided by extra time and penalties if required, progressing into next months Playoff finals. The draws for the final have already been completed, as has the draws for Euro 2020, so we know where each team that does eventually win through to the main tournament next summer will be competing. UEFA have designated these as Paths A, B, C and D.
- Path A – Bulgaria v Hungary, Iceland v Romania
- Path B – Bosnia & Herz v N.Ireland, Slovakia v Rep of Ireland
- Path C – Norway v Serbia, Scotland v Israel
- Path D – Georgia v Belarus, North Macedonia v Kosovo.
So as you can see, in Path A, the winners of the two matches listed there will play each other in the Path A playoff final. The same process is repeated for each of the other paths shown too.
The four teams will then be allocated into the four empty spaces in four groups of the main Euro 2020 draw as follows:
Euro 2020 Draw
- Group A – Turkey, Italy, Wales, Switzerland
- Group B – Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Russia
- Group C – Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, Playoff Winner Path A or D*
- Group D – England, Croatia, Playoff Winner Path C, Czech Republic
- Group E – Spain, Sweden, Poland, Playoff Winner Path B
- Group F – Playoff Winner Path A or D*, Portugal, France, Germany
*If Romania qualify Path A winners, then they will play in Group C and Playoff winner from Path D will play in Group F. In all other circumstances, the Path D winner will play in Group C and the Path A winner will play in Group F.
Euro 2020 Playoff Semifinals Preview and Tips
Outlined below is a quick preview of each of the games taking place this week, together with our tip for how we see the result going. All kick off times are 7.45pm unless stated.
- Georgia v Belarus (5.00pm)
Path D opens up a real opportunity for a relative minnow to make it into the Euro 2020 finals next summer and the winner of this game will fancy their chances of doing that. Home advantage for Georgia should be key here and I am backing them to pick up a narrow win to progress. Tip – Georgia to win – 6/5.
- Bosnia – Herzegovina v Northern Ireland
One of the emerging teams in European international football at the moment is Bosnia Herzegovina and this is a very tough task for a Northern Ireland side that are not as strong as they were under Michael O’Neill. I think this is going to be a very tough ask for the Irish here and I do fancy a comfortable home win in this one. Tip – Bosnia-Herz to win – 10/11.
- Bulgaria v Hungary
Path A looks like being one of the toughest to come through with Iceland and Romania in the other half of the draw. Bulgaria face Hungary here and although they have improved of late, I have to say that I think this is the poorest Bulgarian team for some time and as such, I am backing Hungary to come through with the win here. Tip – Hungary to win – 11/10.
- Iceland v Romania
Both these teams will feel that a win here would give them a good chance of qualifying with either Bulgaria or Hungary waiting in the final. Of the two, Romania probably have the better recent form, but Iceland have been stronger than the Romanians of late and with home advantage, especially in October, I feel that could be key. Tip – Iceland to win – 6/4
- North Macedonia v Kosovo
With either Georgia or Belarus waiting in the final, this is a massive game for both these relative newcomers to the European Championships and of the two teams, I feel that Kosovo, who gave England a workout in the group stages, just about have the edge here. Tip – Kosovo to win – 2/1.
- Norway v Serbia
Two sides who have been inconsistent in recent times meet in Oslo in what should be an intriguing game. I think Serbia have the greater squad depth, but Norway have some striking individuals, notably Haaland in attack and I feel he could be the difference maker. It may take extra time or even penalties to decide the winner however so I am backing the draw here. Tip – Draw – 21/10.
- Scotland v Israel
These teams have met a couple of times recently in World Cup qualifying, so they won’t be unfamiliar with each other. Scotland have home advantage though and that could be crucial, although they have messed things up on home soil before. This will be close but I am backing Scotland to come through. Tip – Scotland to win – Evens.
- Slovakia v Republic of Ireland
This is one of the most competitive games in the semifinals and both sides will hope they have a chance of progressing. For me though, Slovakia is a tough place to go and get a result and with the Republic of Ireland’s recent form not being that great, I think this could be as far as they go. However it could take extra time or even penalties to decide the winner. Tip – Draw at 90 minutes – 21/10.
Worried about your gambling?