Euro 2020 Matchday 14 Previews and Betting Tips
Euro 2020 Matchday 14: Last 16 Previews
The Group stage had plenty of drama but in reality, Euro 2020 starts now. From here on in it is lose and you are out and that will bring a different edge to proceedings. Nerves and pressure will be ramped up and it could boil down to whoever handles it best. After the fun and games on matchday 13, the Last 16 draw has been finalised. First up on Saturday we have Wales vs Denmark in Amsterdam and that is followed by Italy vs Austria in Wembley. Check out our Euro 2020 Matchday 14 previews and betting tips below.
Wales v Denmark
Match Odds: Wales 17/4; Draw 23/10; Denmark 4/5.
Venue: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Kick Off Time: 5.00 pm.
Around 16,000 fans will be in attendance at this last 16 clash but unfortunately, not many will be from Wales. The Danes are permitted to travel though and they will be hoping their team can take another step towards the final. They are the 4/5 favourites after their 4-1 win vs Russia. Wales were far from disgraced in their 1-0 loss to Italy and they look a big price at 17/4. If you fancy this one to go to extra time, the draw is chalked up at 23/10.
Wales fans were hoping and praying that the real Gareth Bale would turn up at Euro 2020. Thankfully, for them, he has. Bale and Aaron Ramsey have both played central roles for their team thus far and they deserve their place in the knockout stages. They were well in the game before Ampadu saw red vs Italy and while they couldn’t peg the Italians back, they did well to keep the scoreline at just 1-0.
Ward has impressed in goal, Davies and Rodon have been solid defensively and Joe Allen has kept them ticking over in midfield. Dan James’ pace will cause most teams problems on the counter and Kieffer Moore brings physicality up top. They are a danger from set pieces too and while the Danes are a stronger side on paper, this Welsh side is a closely knit group. As they showed in 2016, team spirit can take you a long way.
Can The Dark Horses Deliver?
I was unsure how the Christian Eriksen incident would effect this team. It has clearly galvanised them if their last two displays are anything to go by. They played brilliantly in their 2-1 defeat to Belgium and they took Russia apart in a match they had to win to reach the knockout stages. Damsgaard has stepped up to the plate in Eriksen’s absence. He scored a screamer to give Denmark the lead against the Russians.
Hojbjerg has worked like a dog in midfield alongside Delaney and the Spurs man came away with two deserved assists v Russia. Braithwaite ran himself into the ground and Christensen showed he could do more than just defend with a rocket of a shot to score the vital third goal. They’ll be hopeful of doing a job on Wales and every neutral will be praying they go all the way.
Denmark are the stronger side overall but I don’t think there is as much between these teams as the odds suggest. Wales are a well organised and dogged side but they have that vital sprinkling of stardust up top with Bale, James and Ramsey. That makes them a big threat when they do manage to get forward and they’ll fancy their chances of nicking a goal. Denmark will probably have the lion’s share of the ball and Wales will look to sit deep and hit them on the break. I think this could finish level and we could be set for extra time and penalties. Back the draw at 23/10 and if you are feeling adventurous, it might be worth having a small bet on both teams to win on penalties at 11/1.
Euro 2020 Matchday 14 Tip: Draw @ 23/10
Euro 2020 Matchday 14: Italy v Austria
Match Odds: Italy 4/9; Draw 33/10; Austria 7/1.
Venue: Wembley, England.
Kick Off Time: 8.00 pm.
It is hard to believe that Italy were as big as 14/1 for Euro 2020 before the tournament started. They came into the competition somewhat under the radar but now they are amongst the favourites. Their reserves got the job done against Wales last time, making it 3 wins from 3 and 3 clean sheets. It hasn’t just been a typical Italian defensive masterclass, they’ve played some of the best attacking football too. Austria won 2 of their 3 group games, their sole defeat coming against the Netherlands. They are as big as 8/1 to win in 90 minutes tonight while Italy are 4/9. If you fancy the draw you can get on at 16/5 with a couple of firms.
Roberto Mancini seems to have found the perfect mix of youth and experience with this team. Chiellini and Bonucci look as good as ever at the back and Donnarumma plays like he has been Italy’s number one for the last ten years. Locatelli’s energy and willingness to attack from midfield has been a joy to watch while the trickiness of Insigne and finishing of Immobile have also been key to Italy’s success so far. The Azzurri are box office again after a spell in the doldrums and they are an exciting team to watch.
Austria Up Against It
The main aim for Austria at Euro 2020 was reaching the knockout stages. They have done exactly that and anything from here on in will be a bonus. They fully deserved their wins against the Ukraine and North Macedonia but they came up well short vs the Netherlands. That does not bode well for them as Italy are arguably a better side than the Dutch. They look to be up against it.
Austria set up very defensively against the Netherlands and if they approach this match in the same manner it will be a long night for them. They’ll need massive performances from the likes of Alaba, Arnautovic and Baumgartner if they are to have any chance of pulling off what would be the upset of the tournament. However, if Italy play to their full potential I think they’ll win this comfortably. I am backing Italy -2 in the handicap market at odds of 4/1.
