The European Football Championship is very much underway now and we are working our way through the final set of games in each of the six groups. By Wednesday evening, we will know the 16 teams that have made it into the Round of 16, as well as what each of the 8 games at that stage of the tournament will be.
However, over the next few days we have some cracking games coming up in Groups D, E and F, with the first Knockout Phase games set to follow from the weekend, starting on Saturday.
So, with that in mind, we have put together a series of tips starting with the games tonight for the games over the next couple of days, and we’ve also gazed into the crystal ball to figure out which teams could potentially be locking horns in the Round of 16, with some very enticing games in prospect.
If you would like to enjoy a wager on these games, then all the odds shown below are taken
from bet365 Sport. The site is an excellent resource for football punters given its extensive coverage of many tournaments from all over the world, both at club and international level.
If you are based in the United States and bet365 Sport is not an option for you, then a good alternative is the betting site BetRivers PA. The site also operates in other states as well as Pennsylvania and it offers excellent coverage on soccer games for all fans based in the US, including of course the Euros.
So let’s get cracking with a look at the two games taking place today involving both England and Scotland, with England already assured of a place in the Round of 16, and Scotland needing a victory in order to join them.
Tuesday 22nd June
Group D
England V Czech Republic (London)
Both these teams have already been confirmed as qualifying for the knockout phase and they
are essentially playing for top spot in the group. A draw will suffice for the Czech Republic, while England need to win in order to earn top spot and the right to play at Wembley again in the Round of 16.
The Czech’s were impressive against Scotland and I felt looked the better team against Croatia. Patrick Schick is in great goalscoring form for them too with three goals in the tournament so far and they could pose England a real threat, especially after beating them 2-1 in Prague not so long ago.
However, when England faced the Czech’s at Wembley in Euros Qualifiying, they ran out 5-0 winners and after the very poor display against Scotland, Gareth Southgate will be expecting a reaction from his team in this game.
I think he will get it as I think England will land the win here.
England v Czech Republic Tips
- England to win – 1/2
- England to win 2-0 – 6/1
- Phil Foden to score anytime – 21/10
Scotland v Croatia (Glasgow)
The situation for both these teams is simple. Anything less than a win and they are eliminated
from the competition. Scotland do have the advantage of playing at home and they actually have a very good record against Croatia, winning home and away the last time they faced the same opponents.
After a good performance against England at Wembley, the Scots should be confident against a Croatia side that were poor against England, laboured to a draw against the Czech’s and seemed to be pinning their hopes on picking up three points in this game to progress.
While I feel the Croatian’s have the better quality, I think Scotland have better energy and with home advantage, and the experience of what happened against the Czech’s fresh in their memory, I fancy the Scots to pull off a win here.
Scotland v Croatia Tips
- Scotland to win – 7/4
- Scotland to win 2-1 – 10/1
- Che Adams to score anytime – 13/8
Thursday 23rd June
Group E
Slovakia V Spain (Seville)
A draw in this game would be enough for Slovakia to qualify, but would mean Spain would be
left sweating on a place in the Round of 16. A win for Spain would see them qualify, but could mean Slovakia miss out.
As such, this looks like being an open game in Seville where the Spanish have struggled in recent times, drawing their last two games with Sweden and Poland. They need a big performance here but can they turn possession into goals against a tricky opponent?
Slovakia have been strong on the counterattack but they couldn’t break down Sweden in their last game and only defeated Poland when the Poles went down to 10-men. As such, I think the extra flair Spain have in midfield and attack could be the decisive factor here.
As such, I am backing Spain to get their overdue first win in the tournament here to put themselves into the Round of 16.
Spain v Slovakia Tips
- Spain to win – 2/11
- Spain to win 2-0 – 5/1
- Dani Olmo to score at any time – 7/5
Sweden V Poland (Saint Petersburg)
Sweden do have the pressure off as they are already through to the knockout phase and a win for Poland would also confirm them through to the next stage too. The Swedes won’t want to lose this game, but by the same token, I also feel they are likely to give some of their experienced players a rest in this game.
Poland won’t have that luxury but they will be buoyed by their draw with Spain last time out and I think they will fancy their chances of picking up the win they need here, especially with Robert Lewandowski finding the net last time out.
Poland though have won just one of the last 11 games against Sweden and that doesn’t augur well for them here. However, their most recent game was back in 2004 and I think this new Polish side can break that hoodoo here.
Sweden v Poland Tips
- Poland to win – 6/4
- Poland to win 1-0 – 15/2
- Robert Lewandowskui to score the first goal – 7/2
Group F
Germany v Hungary (Munich)
Germany bounced back from their defeat to France to beat Portugal 4-2 in their second game
and they now know that a draw will be enough for them to qualify, at least as one of the third best teams, if not in second spot in the group. However, a win could see the Germans top the group, depending on the outcome of the other game in Budapest.
Hungary need to win in order to progress and though they have a decent record against Germany, winning 10 of the 33 games between the teams, their recent record isn’t quite so strong and with the Germans on home soil, it is hard to see the Hungarians having enough to cause a massive upset here with the win.
That said, nobody gave Hungary much of a chance against France at the weekend and they earned a creditable draw, so it is not out of the question.
For me though, Germany should be confident of landing a second win in a row, but whether that is enough for them to qualify as group winners, or in second spot, remains to be seen.
Germany v Hungary Tips
- Germany to win – 1/6
- Germany to win 3-0 – 7/1
- Serge Gnabry to score the first goal – 15/4
Portugal v France (Budapest)
The European Champions take on the World Cup Winners in a repeat of the 2016 Euros Final. Portugal won that game, but that was only their third win against France since 1947. In fact, the French have a superb record against their European rivals, winning 11 and drawing one of the last 13 games between the teams.
As such, this looks like being a tough ask for the Portuguese side here, especially when their defensive frailties were exposed by Germany in the last game. France’s attack, if anything, is better than Germany’s and as such, I would expect the French to bounce back from their poor performance in the draw with Hungary last weekend.
Mbappe’s pace and Benzema and Griezmann’s flair and invention should be a huge threat against Portugal, while I think France’s defence should be able to cope with what the current Euro holders can throw at them, even with Cristiano Ronaldo in the team.
France are already assured of a place in the next phase, Portugal need just one point to join them, but I do feel they may be left a point short of that as I expect the French to land the win here.
France v Portugal Tips
- France to win – 5/4
- France to win 2-1 – 10/1
- Kylian Mbappe to score the first goal – 9/2
*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport as of 11.30am on Tuesday 22nd June 2021.
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