Euro 2020 Matchday 15: Last 16 Previews

From a viewing perspective, Euro 2020 has delivered. From a punting perspective, it most certainly hasn’t. Wales started brightly vs Denmark on Saturday but they couldn’t sustain it. Once the second goal went in, it was game over. Italy looked very leggy vs Austria and only VAR saved them from an early exit. Maybe Mancini’s men peaked too soon, or maybe it was just an off day. We will try again on Euro 2020 Matchday 15, read our previews below.

Netherlands v Czech Republic

Match Odds: Netherlands 4/6; Draw 3/1; Czech Republic 9/2.

Venue: Budapest, Hungary.

Kick Off Time: 5.00 pm.

The third match in the Last 16 sees the Netherlands take on the Czech Republic. The match will be played in Budapest and it is going to be extremely tough going for the players. It is forecast to be 30 degrees Celsius and that will probably result in this match being played at a slow tempo. The Dutch won all three of their games in Group C and they are odds on at 4/6 to win this match in 90 minutes. The Czech Republic finished 3rd behind England and Croatia in Group D with 4 points and they are as big as 9/2. The draw is priced up at 3/1.

The Netherlands navigated through the group stages with relative ease. Their only scare came in their opening game when Ukraine pegged them back to 2-2. However, a late Dumfries goal got them out of jail and they won 3-2. Gini Wijnaldum has been the star man for the Dutch with three goals so far. Dumfries (2 goals) and Depay (2 goals, 1 assist) have also excelled and Frenkie De Jong has run the show in the engine room. The return of De Ligt has tightened things up at the back and they will fancy their prospects of making a deep run at Euro 2020.

Can Schick Deliver?

If the Czech Republic are to have any hope of beating the Netherlands they’ll need in-form frontman Patrik Schick to deliver the goods. He has scored all three Czech goals so far, including a spectacular goal of the tournament contender vs Scotland. West Ham pair Coufal and Soucek have provided an assist apiece. Coufal has had a fine tournament but I expected to see more from Soucek. He could yet find top form and if he does, the Czechs might surprise a few people on Sunday afternoon.

If the Netherlands produce their best there will only be one winner in Budapest. Since their second half wobble vs Ukraine they have looked assured and confident and their main men are stepping up to the plate. The searing heat is sure to have an effect on how this game unfolds. I doubt this will be a high octane, high scoring affair with conditions so tough. I think the Dutch have the quality on the ball to get the job done and I am backing them to win and under 2.5 goals at odds of 3/1.

Euro 2020 Matchday 15 Tip: Netherlands win/under 2.5 goals @ 3/1

Euro 2020 Matchday 15: Belgium v Portugal

Match Odds: Belgium 6/4; Draw 9/4; Portugal 21/10.

Venue: Sevilla, Spain.

Kick Off Time: 8.00 pm.

Two of Europe’s football heavyweights will collide in Sevilla on Sunday night. Temperatures will be in the mid to high 20s and it promises to be an absolute cracker. Belgium took maximum points in Group B but Denmark gave them a proper scare in their second game. They are the favs at 6/4. The Portuguese scraped through in 3rd spot in Group F and they are 21/10 today. If you think this clash of the titans will end in a draw, you can get on at 9/4.

Belgium are the number one ranked team in the World and they are in good shape coming into this last 16 showdown. Timothy Castagne is their only absentee and both De Bruyne (2 assists, 1 goal) and Lukaku (3 goals) are coming to the boil nicely. Eden Hazard has managed to rediscover some of his old spark and if he continues to improve, Belgium are going to be extremely hard to stop.

Portugal Lucky To Progress

Portugal needed a draw vs France to get through to the last 16. In the dying moments, with the score 2-2, Bruno Fernandes brought down Kingsley Coman with a shocking tackle and it looked a stonewall peno. Somehow VAR didn’t give it and both teams progressed. It was an incredibly lucky break for Portugal and Fernandes. Ronaldo has fired in 5 goals so far ( 3 of them penalties) but apart from him, Portugal have not impressed. Fernandes was dropped for the French game, Jota has looked off colour and they look far from watertight at the back.

I think this match could turn out to be a feast of quality attacking football. Belgium have the likes of De Bruyne, Hazard, Carrasco and Lukaku while Portugal’s weapons include Ronaldo, Silva, Jota and they can spring Fernandes from the bench. However, Belgium look to be a more united team and I fancy them to get the job done in Seville. I am backing Belgium to win in 90 minutes and both teams to score at odds of 4/1.

Euro 2020 Matchday 15 Tip: Belgium/both teams to score @ 4/1