Euro 2020 Matchday 12 Previews and Tips

Tuesday sees Group D come to a climax and all four sides still have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages at Euro 2020. Croatia take on Scotland at Hampden Park in a game both teams need to win. The Czechs and England face off at Wembley and a point would see those teams qualify in 1st and 2nd respectively. England need 3 points to go through as group winners and if they win, Croatia have an outside chance of securing second spot on goal difference. It should make for a thrilling evening of football, check out our Euro 2020 Matchday 12 previews and tips below.

Croatia v Scotland

Match Odds: Croatia 6/5; Draw 11/4; Scotland 9/4.

Venue: Glasgow, Scotland.

Kick Off Time: 5.00 pm.

Given how both of these teams have played so far, it is a shade surprising to see that Scotland are the underdogs. Croatia have been bitterly disappointing and they were fortunate to come away with a draw against the Czechs last time. Scotland lost to the Czechs in their first game but they played England off the park at Wembley and they deserved more than just a point. However, at the end of the day, it was Scotland’s failure to take their chances that ultimately cost them the victory and they’ll need to be more clinical vs Croatia.

Gilmour Tests Positive

News broke on Monday morning that Scotland’s man of the match vs England, Billy Gilmour, had tested positive for Covid. That means he is unavailable for Tuesday’s game. Scott McTominay will probably push into the Scottish midfield with either Cooper or Hendry coming into the defence. Croatia have no absentees to worry about but Zlatko Dalic has decisions to make regarding team selection. They have lacked a spark in the final third and unless they find one, they could be heading for an early exit.

The big question for Scotland is how much their huge effort against England has taken out of them physically and mentally. It was a massive occasion and it will be a tough task to repeat that level of performance just four days later but at least they’ll have their passionate fans cheering them on. Croatia have looked a shadow of the team that reached the World Cup final in Russia. On the evidence of their first two displays, it is impossible to be confident about their chances. At the prices, Scotland look well worth backing to get the win they desperately need at odds of 9/4.

Euro 2020 Matchday 12 Tip: Scotland to win @ 9/4

Euro 2020 Matchday 12: Czech Republic v England

Match Odds: Czech Republic 7/1; Draw 13/5; England 4/7.

Venue: Wembley, England.

Kick Off Time: 5.00 pm.

The mood has darkened in England after their 0-0 draw vs Scotland. The knives are out for Harry Kane, questions are being asked of Southgate and the fans booed off their team at half time and full time. Plenty of pundits were full of praise for this team after their opening win vs Croatia but in hindsight, the signs were there that England’s attack was not firing on all cylinders. The Czech Republic will be full of confidence after their win vs Scotland and 1-1 draw vs Croatia. Patrik Schick has been one of the stars of Euro 2020 so far and they’ll be looking to him for inspiration at Wembley.

Chilwell And Mount In Isolation

It was blatantly obvious before this tournament that Gareth Southgate had no clue what his best 11 was. In fact, up until the team was named for the Croatia match, nobody could even say for certain what formation he would use. The only players that you could say were certain starters were Pickford, Stones, Rice, Mount and Harry Kane. All of the other positions were up for grabs and after two games, the picture is no clearer.

To add to the problems in the English camp, Mount and Chilwell are now in isolation as close contacts with Billy Gilmour. At least the fans might get want they want most now, Jack Grealish in the team. The Czechs, on the other hand, have a settled side and bar one or two positions, the team picks itself.

The Czechs will be brimming with confidence and belief coming into this match, whereas England will be under huge pressure. Unlike the World Cup in Russia, the media and fans are getting on their backs and that extra weight on their shoulders has proved problematic for England teams in the not too distant past. The Czech Republic need only a point to top Group D and I think they can get it. Back the draw at odds of 14/5.

Euro 2020 Matchday 12 Tip: Draw @ 14/5