Euro 2020 Matchday 19 Previews and Betting Tips
Euro 2020 Matchday 19: Quarter Final Previews
Another night, another two losing bets. The Swiss put up a real fight against Spain but unfortunately, they bottled the penalty shootout. Italy ran out deserved 2-1 winners vs Belgium in a cracker of a match. The Italians showed more desire and quality from the outset and Belgium had no answers. The win didn’t come without a cost though as Spinazzola was carried off with what looked like a serious injury. Saturday’s Euro 2020 Matchday 19 games don’t look as exciting on paper but hopefully they surprise us. Check out our previews and tips below.
Czech Republic v Denmark
Match Odds: Czech Republic 11/4; Draw 9/4; Denmark 11/10.
Venue: Baku, Azerbaijan.
Kick Off Time: 5.00 pm.
Two of the less glamorous sides remaining at Euro 2020 face off in Baku on Saturday evening. It is going to be sweltering hot and that could mean that this game is not played at a high tempo. The Czechs shocked the Netherlands in the Last 16 but there was no fluke about the manner of their 2-0 win. The bookies still make them the underdogs at odds of 3/1. The Danes hammered Wales 4-0 but that scoreline probably flattered them. However, they have now scored 8 in their last 2 matches and they are favourites at 11/10. The draw isn’t out of the question here and that is priced up at 9/4.
The Czechs will be hoping to welcome back Captain Darida and full back Boril from injury on Saturday. They are both still doubts but they trained during the week and both have travelled to Baku. However, the main man for the Czechs has been Patrik Schick. He has already scored 4 goals and the big striker will be hoping to add to that tally vs Denmark. Coufal has bombed forward to great effect and Soucek is slowly playing himself into form. They won’t fear this Danish side and they’ll be hoping it’s a good omen that they beat Denmark 3-0 at this stage at Euro 2004.
The Eriksen Factor
Even though he has missed most of this tournament, Christian Eriksen has clearly had a huge effect on this Denmark team. His collapse has unified them and they have the support of every football loving neutral around the world. Their form has been brilliant since their 1-0 loss to Finland. They came away with nothing after a superb first half performance vs Belgium but big wins vs Russia and Wales followed. Dolberg scored twice vs Wales but Poulsen is fit again so he may come back into the team. Damsgaard and Braithwaite have both played well and Christensen has emerged as a real leader too.
So, can the Danes keep the fairytale alive? They have looked lethal going forward in recent games but they are coming up against a solid defence this evening. The Czechs have conceded just twice in four games and they kept a clean sheet against the Dutch. Patrik Schick is in sensational form and there could still be more to come from Soucek. 11/4 looks a shade generous about the Czechs and I am backing them to win in 90 minutes.
Euro 2020 Matchday 19 Tip: Czech Republic win @ 11/4
Ukraine v England
Match Odds: Ukraine 8/1; Draw 10/3; England 2/5.
Venue: Rome, Italy.
Kick Off Time: 8.00 pm.
If you watched the England vs Germany match on the BBC you’d be forgiven for thinking football was home already. Luckily for this England team, Gareth Southgate is not as giddy as some of the English pundits and that is hugely important because they cannot let complacency become an issue. They are long odds on favourites for this match at odds of 2/5. The Ukraine battled to the bitter end in their 2-1 win vs Sweden but they have been completely written off at odds of 8/1. The draw can be backed at odds of 10/3.
Andriy Shevchenko’s side looked to be heading home after a couple of poor displays in their group. However, they somehow snuck through as the worst 3rd placed side and they took full advantage of their good fortune vs Sweden.
Yarmolenko is the main man for them up top and he has delivered with 2 goals and 2 assists. His fitness levels would make you think he smokes 40 cigarettes a day but he has bundles of ability and England will need to keep a close eye on him. Zinchenko found something like his best form vs Sweden and Yaremchuk is another dangerman for Ukraine. They have nothing to lose on Saturday night and all the pressure is on their opponents.
Southgate Spot On
Despite misgivings amongst some sections of the media, Southgate has got his team selections spot on so far at Euro 2020. His conservative approach has paid dividends and they were full value for their 2-0 win vs Germany. That match looked to be heading to extra time but the arrival of Grealish off the bench changed the whole complexion of the game. He had a hand in both goals and under pressure Harry Kane finally got off the mark. Raheem Sterling has been the star man for England and he has scored three goals already. Saka has added an extra dimension, Harry Maguire has looked assured at the back since returning from injury and Luke Shaw has carried his excellent club form onto the international stage.
Southgate’s side will be more than satisfied if they grind out a 1-0 win tonight but I think that with an extra motivated Yarmolenko in their team, Ukraine are capable of scoring against them. If England take an early lead they’ll likely shut up shop and try to nick another goal on the counter. However, this Ukrainian side have enough about them to ensure that England won’t have it all their own way. I do think England have the quality to get the win but their run of clean sheets could come to a halt. At odds of 3/1, England to win and both teams to score is the recommended bet.
