With the group stage now over, who will qualify from the last 16? Will there be any upsets or will the favourites prosper, let us take a look.
Saturday 26th June
Wales (Odds - 19/5) v Denmark (17/20) - Johan Cruyff Arena, 5pm
Robert Page's Wales were not at their best in their first group game against Switzerland, but bounced back with a very good display as they triumphed 2-0 over Turkey. If Aaron Ramsey had his shooting boots on then they could have won by more. Italy edged them out in their last game, but Wales were far from embarrassed and can take some heart from their play as they finished as runner-ups in Group A. Denmark had to come back and complete their first match after a near tragic incident with Christian Eriksen, who we thank God is still with us. Pierre Hojbjerg fluffed a penalty as they lost 1-0 to Finland after finding out that Eriksen was going to be okay. The Danes then lost 2-1 to Belgium after a great start where they could have had 2 or 3 in the first five minutes. They secured qualification as they saved their best for last, winning 4-1 against Russia to end up finishing second in Group B after looking like they were on their way out of the tournament.
The Danes played all their group games in Copenhagen and now having to play this game in Amsterdam of course without their talisman Eriksen. I am therefore going to go for what the bookmakers deem to be an upset, as I feel that Wales can sneak past the Danes in 90 minutes. Gareth Bale has played well but is yet to score and I feel he turns it on and leads to them to successive quarter final appearances in the Euros.
Italy (4/9) v Austria (7/1) - Wembley, 8pm
Italy were my 'dark horses' for the tournament before coming in, so although some are surprised at how good they have looked, I obviously expected it. Italy had 3-0 wins over Turkey and Switzerland to begin, before a 1-0 win over Wales as they topped Group A. Roberto Mancini's men have been dominant since he took over the job, but some feel that they may have peaked too early in this competition. Austria were a another team I felt could knock some noses out of joint, and David Alaba is a great leader for them. They turned over a plucky North Macedonia first up 3-1, but were then underwhelming as they beaten 2-0 by the Netherlands. The group concluded with them beating Ukraine 1-0 as they finished second in Group C.
The Italians were jubilant to play all their games at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, and despite having to travel to north London for this game I still see Italy prevailing in normal time. It will definitely not be easy as Austria will be brave and have nothing to lose, but unless Leipzig's Marcel Sabitzer can have his way with Italy's efficient midfield and their defence then I unfortunately do not see how the Austrians prevail.
Sunday 27th June
Netherlands (7/10) v Czech Republic (9/2) - Puskas Arena, Bucharest, 5pm
The Netherlands are without captain Virgil van Dijk but their offensive threat has carried them and could lead them deep into the tournament. They almost threw away a 2-0 lead to start off their group against Ukraine, but they were bailed out by Denzel Dumfries as they edged a 3-2 win. They disposed of Austria 2-0; before strolling to a 3-0 victory over North Macedonia as they topped Group C. In van Dijk's absence Georginio Wijnaldum has been superb scoring 3 goals thus far. Wijnaldum playing in his original more advanced position; rather than the deeper role he predominately played in for 5 years at Liverpool is flourishing. With Dumfries bombing on from the right hand side and Memphis Depay's movement they are a lot to handle. The Czech's have been disciplined and Patrick Schick is in Golden Boot contention up front. Schick scored the goal of the competition in the 2-0 triumph over Scotland. They were denied a win in their second game against Croatia after a lovely goal from Ivan Perisic cancelled out Schick's penalty. England scraped past them in their last game as they ended up third in Group D and qualified as one of the best placed third placed teams.
Netherlands will be chomping at the bit, but I feel this game is going to go to the wire. Czech Republic will provide stiff opposition for the Dutch and see this going to penalties. Penalties are anyone's game, but I will go with the Netherlands.
Belgium (29/20) v Portugal (2/1) - La Cartuja Stadium, Seville, 8pm
For me this is the tie of the round. Belgium are ranked 1st in the world and Portugal are ranked 5th. Belgium had an 100% record as they topped Group B. A Romelu Lukaku brace saw Belgium see off Russia first up. Then a Kevin De Bruyne super-show off the bench saw them come from behind to beat a lively Denmark outfit 2-1. Lastly two late goals got them past Finland. Portugal once again came third in their group as they did when they won the competition in 2016. A late-show saw the Portuguese emerge past Hungary; including the best team goal we have seen so far for Cristiano Ronaldo's second in a 3-0 win. Portugal then fell 4-2 to a rampant Germany in the second match for both sides. A 2-2 draw with France rounded things off in a game that was littered with penalties to conclude Group F.
This contest is finely poised, despite Belgium being favourites. You can never bet against a side that has one of the greatest players of all-time Cristiano Ronaldo and I would not be surprised if this went to extra time, but I am going to go with Belgium to go through. De Bruyne is well rested and Lukaku is going toe-to-toe with Ronaldo for the Golden Boot, this is on paper is surely going to be a cracker.
Monday 28th June
Croatia (6/1) v Spain (6/10) - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, 5pm
Croatia started slowly but could be kicking into gear at just the right time. They looked a shadow of themselves as they lost 1-0 to England to begin. They then got a point against the Czech Republic thanks to a piece of brilliance from Ivan Perisic. They produced when needed to get through as runners-up in Group D, as they beat Scotland 3-1, including a delightful goal from Luka Modric. Spain were also slow out of the blocks and just like their opponents got through with a win in their last game. The Spaniards drew against Sweden and Poland in their first two Group E encounters. Alvaro Morata missed a guilt-edged chance against the Swedes, but bounced back with a goal against Poland. Spain's last group game saw them come up trumps in a 5-0 hammering of Slovakia, who had looked like a decent side before this humbling.
Spain are overwhelming favourites but I can potentially see Croatia winning this one, and within 90 minutes too. Spain are going to be a good side for years to come in my opinion, but I feel they might not just have everything in place just yet. I can see a narrow Croatia triumph, as Spain maybe overpass at times and need to shoot at goal more. Luis Enrique's mens' 2125 passes were by far the most of any team in the group stage.
France (8/15) v Switzerland (6/1) - National Arena Bucharest, 8pm
If any team can go through the gears in the Euros then it is France. They look like they are strolling along and then they can burst forward with a swift counter attack in the blink of an eye. They really troubled Germany in their first group game despite only winning 1-0. The French followed that up however by seeming to lose their way. They went behind to Hungary before salvaging a point. They lastly drew 2-2 with Portugal but ended up still topping Group F with 5 points. Breel Embolo caused havoc as Switzerland opened with a 1-1 draw with Wales. Italy then comprehensively dealt with them 3-0 in their second game. The Swiss ended on a high however with a 3-1 victory over Turkey to gain qualification through third place in Group A.
I expect Switzerland to score against the French with Xherdan Shaqiri especially in fine form with 3 goals already to his name, but France will emerge from this tie. It may be closer than some would imagine. The midfield will be key and the French rely a lot on N'Golo Kante's energy to open up space for Paul Pogba to destroy, and Switzerland will feel they can get at Didier Deschamps' men if they can somehow isolate Kante. If Granit Xhaka can have a good game this could be tighter than expected.
Tuesday 29th June
England (8/5) v Germany (15/8) - Wembley, 5pm
This clash is a really tight one to call. England have done enough so far to get through their games, whereas Germany do not look supremely efficient like past years. England's thoroughly disappointing goalless draw with Scotland was sandwiched by two 1-0 wins. First they outdid Croatia (who looked lifeless) with a Raheem Sterling goal. Their win over Czech Republic saw Sterling score again. But England's overall play in the last two games especially left a little to be desired. Germany did not really turn up as Matt Hummels' own goal saw them lose to France. They really turned it on as they bounced back with a 4-2 win over Portugal, looking much like how they usually equip themselves in a tournament. Joachim Low's men still needed to avoid defeat in their last group outing to qualify, and they just about did it. The Germans came from behind twice to gain the draw they needed as Hungary took them to the wire.
The game being at Wembley may play a factor, whereas in the past it probably would not have mattered given the mentality Germany have generally had. Hungary played 5 at the back and troubled Germany so despite the fact England have used 4 in all their group games, this may ben an option for Gareth Southgate to consider. England will never have a better chance to defeat the old enemy who are in transition, and reluctantly I am going to say England will win. They will have to do it in 90 minutes however I feel because if goes to extra time or penalties we all know how that story goes.
Sweden (11/8) v Ukraine (23/10) - Hampden Park, 8pm
Interesting that this will be the last tie that is played as I feel it will be a very entertaining end to the last 16. Sweden topped Group E after some drama. They defended resiliently to get a goalless draw with Spain in their opening game. A late Emil Forsberg penalty got them past Slovakia, and he was among the scorers again as they won they last group game. In a thrilling match with Poland; Forsberg put Sweden 2-0 up only for a Robert Lewandowski double to peg them back. Nonetheless Victor Claesson was to win it for them in injury time to seal first place. Ukraine started by fighting back from 2 goals down against the Netherlands only to lose late on. They played some really good football to get past North Macedonia 2-1, but then ended with a lacklustre display as they were defeated by Austria and claimed third place in Group C to sneak through.
Both teams will go for it I believe, and it will go to extra time and probably even penalties also in an end-to-end game. I will go with Ukraine on penalties, but this really could go either way, so I am not sticking my neck out here.
*All odds are correct as of the 25th of June with William Hill
@DubulDee
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