Euro 2020 Matchday 2 Previews and Betting Tips
Euro 2020 Matchday 2 Previews and Tips
After the excitement of opening night in Rome, the fun continues with three matches on Euro 2020 Matchday 2. Wales v Switzerland starts us off at 2pm, Denmark play Finland at 5pm and in the last game of the day, Belgium face Russia. If you have entered our superb Bitcoin competition, don’t forget to get your predictions in before the first match kicks off (click here to enter). If you are planning on having a flutter, check out our big match previews and betting tips below.
Wales v Switzerland
Match Odds: Wales 7/2; Draw 2/1; Switzerland 11/10.
Venue: Baku, Azerbaijan.
Kick Off Time: 2.00 pm.
This may be the first match for both these Group A sides, but it is massively important. If either team can get the win it will go a long way towards grabbing 3rd (or maybe even 2nd) spot. A draw wouldn’t do both teams much good so you would think they’ll both go all out for the win.
On paper, Switzerland have the stronger squad. However, their key man Shaqiri has been a bit part player for Liverpool this season and Granit Xhaka had a season to forget at Arsenal. The Swiss have only managed to navigate past the Group Stages once at the Euros (in 2016) and they have often failed to deliver on the big stage.
Can Wales Deliver Again?
Wales, who will be managed by Rob Page, punched well above their weight at Euro 2016, their sole previous appearance. They beat Belgium en-route to the semi-finals and they ended up taking the Bronze medal in 3rd. A large chunk of that team are no longer involved. However, their main men Ramsey, Allen and Bale are still around and some exciting new talent has emerged like James, Wilson and Tyler Roberts.
The bookies reckon that a Swiss win or a draw are the two most likely outcomes in this clash. I’m not sure I agree. Gareth Bale showed in the last few matches in the Premier League he is far from a spent force. Having a player of his talent in top form is a massive advantage for the Welsh. Add to that the guile of Ramsey and the raw pace of James and odds of 7/2 about the Wales win look too big to turn down.
Euro 2020 Matchday 2 Tip: Wales to win @ 7/2
Euro 2002 Matchday 2: Denmark v Finland
Match Odds: Denmark 4/9; Draw 31/10; Finland 17/2.
Venue: Copenhagen, Denmark.
Kick Off Time: 5.00 pm.
The second match of the day sees two Nordic neighbours face off in Copenhagen. Denmark have home advantage and they will be very hopeful of getting off to a perfect start. The 1992 Champions were eliminated in the Group Stages when they last qualified in 2012 but they are a better side these days. This will be the Finns’ first appearance at any major tournament and no matter what happens on the pitch, it will be party time back home until they are eliminated.
The Danes are priced up at 25/1 to win this tournament outright. They are interesting dark horses and when you look at their squad and overall form, they aren’t without a chance. Their defence looks solid with Schmeichel in goal and the likes of Kjaer, Christensen and Vestergaard in front of him. Hojbjerg adds steel in the engine room and Eriksen can open up any defence on his day. Their biggest weakness is up top as they don’t possess a prolific striker.
Pukki The Dangerman
The Finns’ main man is Norwich poacher Teemu Pukki. He needs just 2 more goals to equal Jari Litmanen’s record tally for Finland and how he would love to get them vs Denmark. Finland are a hard working side that will be tough to beat and they won’t be found wanting for effort or endeavour. However, their lack of top class quality might count against them at this level and it could be a baptism of fire for them on Saturday evening.
Finding a value bet in this match wasn’t easy. However, I do think it might be worth backing Rangers midfielder Glen Camara to be shown a card. The combative defensive midfielder will likely be tasked with stopping Christian Eriksen and he was booked in both of Finland’s World Cup qualifiers back in March. At odds of 19/5, back Glen Camara to be shown a card.
Euro 2020 Matchday 2 Tip: Glen Camara to be shown a card @ 19/5
Belgium v Russia
Match Odds: Belgium 8/11; Draw 11/4; Russia 9/2.
Venue: St Petersburg, Russia.
Kick Off Time: 8.00 pm.
The best has been saved until last on Matchday 2. Belgium, one of the pre-tournament favourites, take on a dangerous Russian side. The Russians have the benefit of home advantage and the stadium will be operating at 50% capacity. As they demonstrated at the 2018 World Cup, Russia are no mugs and they were knocked out in the quarters by eventual losing finalists Croatia on penalties.
Can they repeat those heroics at Euro 2020? Well, they couldn’t have a much tougher opener in Group B. Roberto Martinez has a wealth of talent to pick from, though he may have to do without Kevin De Bruyne on Saturday night.
At least Eden Hazard is fit to play, though how fit he actually is remains to be seen. Belgium have a strong and settled defence, a solid midfield and red hot Romelu Lukaku up top. They reached the quarters at Euro 2016, the semis at the 2018 World Cup and if this golden generation is going to deliver a major trophy, this could be their best chance.
Cheryshev Key For Russia
Russia have some quality operators themselves. Denis Cheryshev was a star man for them in 2018 and he will pose a threat from midfield. Captain and top scorer Dzyuba will lead the line and if he gets decent service he can cause plenty of problems for the Belgians. Miranchuk and Golovin are others to watch and it wouldn’t be the biggest shock if Russia managed to come away with something from this game.
These two teams were drawn together in the qualifiers and Belgium won both games comfortably. In fact, Russia have never managed to beat Belgium in seven previous attempts. However, Eden Hazard was in top form for the two qualifiers back in 2019 and he has been a shadow of his former self recently. De Bruyne is a huge loss too, so I think Russia can nick a point. At odds of 15/4, back the draw and both teams to score.
