Euro 2020 Matchday 18 Previews and Betting Tips
Euro 2020 Matchday 18: Quarter Final Previews
We were a bit unlucky with our tips last Tuesday. England and Germany looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw but the introduction of Grealish changed the game. Emil Forsberg scored for Sweden, just as I hoped, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes despite rattling the woodwork twice. Ukraine eventually prevailed with a last minute winner in extra time. Now it is time for the quarter finals and what a lineup it is. Check out our Euro 2020 Matchday 18 previews and betting tips below.
Switzerland v Spain
Match Odds: Switzerland 5/1; Draw 29/10; Spain 4/6.
Venue: St Petersburg, Russia.
Kick Off Time: 5.00 pm.
Two sides that were involved in two amazing Last 16 matches face off in the first quarter-final on Friday in St Petersburg. Switzerland scored two late goals to secure an unlikely 3-3 draw vs France and they finished the job in a penalty shootout. Spain were pegged back in the dying moments by Croatia but they scored twice in extra time to win the game 5-3. The Spaniards are the bookies’ favourites at 4/6 today and Switzerland are as big as 5/1. If you think extra time could be on the cards for both teams again, the draw can be backed at 29/10.
Whatever happens to Switzerland now, their fans will be very proud. They were full value for their win vs France. Ricardo Rodriguez’ missed penalty changed the whole game and instead of being 2-0 up, 15 minutes later they were 3-1 down. Goals from Seferovic and Gavranovic saved their skins and they will be full of confidence coming into this massive match. However, they will be without Granit Xhaka and they will sorely miss his presence in midfield. The Arsenal man was magnificent vs France and he came up with the assist for the equalising goal.
Spain Have Momentum
I have been quite critical of Spain during this tournament. They still showed a few signs of weakness vs Croatia at the back but they dominated the majority of that match and it was amazing that Croatia managed to get it back to 3-3. Luis Enrique’s side retain the ball very well and they have the guile and craft to open up defences. However, Morata is not the most clinical of strikers and I still have a nagging feeling that could eventually be their downfall. However, they should have enough in their locker to get the job done vs Switzerland.
Unlike France, Spain will have the vast majority of the ball against the Swiss. With Xhaka absent it will be very tough for the underdogs to keep possession and they are going to have to work extremely hard against Spain. I don’t have any doubts about their appetite for grafting, but the France match will have taken a lot out of them mentally and physically. Switzerland should tire in the second half and Spain will hope to exploit that and come away with the win. I am backing draw/Spain in the halftime/fulltime market at odds of 10/3.
Euro 2020 Matchday 18 Tip: Draw Halftime/Spain Fulltime @ 10/3
Belgium v Italy
Match Odds: Belgium 12/5; Draw 21/10; Italy 11/8.
Venue: Munich, Germany.
Kick Off Time: 8.00 pm.
This is without a doubt the glamour quarter final matchup at Euro 2020. Belgium, the world no.1s, arrive here after a bruising 1-0 victory v Portugal. Both De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are injury doubts and that is why they are the 12/5 underdogs tonight. Italy were the most exciting team to watch in the group stages but their form dipped considerably in their scrappy 2-1 extra time win vs Austria. The bookies still make them favourites tonight at 11/8 and the draw is priced up at around 21/10.
Belgium have barely come out of cruise control at Euro 2020. They have won all their matches and their sternest test probably came in their match vs Denmark. They fought back from 1-0 down in Copenhagen to win 2-1 and that proved they have the stomach for a fight. The Belgians needed to show their battling qualities to beat Portugal too and that bodes well for them going forward in this tournament. If De Bruyne and Hazard miss out tonight they’ll look to Carrasco and Mertens, hardly two poor replacements. Their biggest worry could be at the back because Vermaelen, Alderweireld and Vertonghen aren’t getting any younger or faster.
Peaked Too Soon?
I was waxing lyrical about this Italian side before they played Austria. I fully expected The Azzurri to put on a show but they never really got going. Maybe we have already seen the best of them and they peaked too soon. However, the fact remains that they are unbeaten since late 2018 (31 games). Donnarumma is a top class keeper, Chiellini should be fit to come back into their defence and Insigne and Immobile have been very impressive up top. Replacing Locatelli with Verratti didn’t work out vs Austria though and that could be the biggest decision that Mancini has to make.
If you look at the quality of opponents faced by these two teams so far, Belgium have had a much tougher passage. Italy swatted aside Switzerland and Turkey but they struggled vs Wales and also against Austria. Belgium have already beaten two quality sides in Denmark and Portugal and even if both De Bruyne and Hazard are out, I still think they might just have a bit too much class for this Italian team. Italy may have their day in the sun at the next World Cup but for many of the Belgian squad, this represents their best and possibly last chance of winning a major trophy. I think they can get the job done tonight and I am backing Belgium to win at odds of 12/5.
