Euro 2020 Matchday 4 Previews and Betting Tips
Euro 2020 Matchday 4 Previews and Tips
Croatia were bitterly disappointing against England. They didn’t create one single big chance and annoyingly, our anytime scorer selection started on the bench. Austria v North Macedonia turned out to be a great watch. The Austrians were full value for the win and it was a big result for them. We finally got a winner on the board in the final game which was a cracker. The Dutch won 3-2, landing our Netherlands/both teams to score bet at 3/1. Finally, the monkey is off our backs, let’s hope for more success on Monday. Check out our Euro 2020 Matchday 4 previews and betting tips below.
Scotland v Czech Republic
Match Odds: Scotland 19/10; Draw 2/1; Czech Republic 2/1.
Venue: Hampden Park, Scotland.
Kick Off Time: 2.00 pm.
Even with just 12,000 fans allowed to attend, Hampden Park will be rocking on Monday afternoon. The Tartan Army are back on the big stage for the first time since they qualified for the World Cup in 1998. Their last appearance at the Euros came two years before that and just like back then, they’ll be taking on the auld enemy, England.
Since they split from Slovakia in 1992, the Czech Republic has had plenty of experience at major tournaments. They have only reached one World Cup, but they have been ever present at the Euros since 1996 when they were beaten finalists. In 2004 they reached the semis but in 2016, they exited at the Group stage.
Quietly Fancied
Some (mostly Scottish) pundits are tipping Scotland to have a good run at Euro 2020. I wouldn’t be too shocked if they at least qualified from this group. Steve Clarke’s side have some very talented players, including the likes of Robertson, Tierney, McTominay, McGinn and Southampton’s Stuart Armstrong. Billy Gilmour is another promising prospect and Che Adams has scored twice in his first four appearances for his country. There is definitely a feel good factor about this Scotland team, the question is can they deliver when the chips are down.
Back in the glory days, the Czechs could call on the likes of Cech, Poborsky, Berger, Baros, Smicer and Nedved. Current coach Jaroslav Silhavy would love to have players of that quality in his squad. That’s not to say their current crop is devoid of talent. Soucek will pose a massive threat with his runs from deep and Coufal’s dangerous deliveries will cause plenty of problems too. Darida is another solid operator and striker Patrik Schick has scored 11 goals in just 26 appearances for his country.
Most of the afternoon games so far have been played at a very slow tempo. That has been down to the hot weather but there will be no such worries at Hampden Park. Temperatures are forecast to be in the low teens, ideal conditions for football. In the Nations League, Scotland beat the Czechs twice (1-0, 2-1). The Czechs have failed to score in 4 of their last 8 games so at odds of 16/5, back Scotland to win to nil.
Euro 2020 Matchday 4 Tip: Scotland to win to nil @ 16/5 William Hill
Euro 2020 Matchday 4: Poland v Slovakia
Match Odds: Poland 4/5; Draw 12/5; Slovakia 9/2.
Venue: St Petersburg, Russia.
Kick Off Time: 5.00 pm.
With Spain hot favourites to win this Group, both these side will be looking to get off to a strong start. The Poles qualified for the quarter-finals in 2016 and they would be delighted with a similar performance this year. Slovakia also got out of their Group in 2016 but they exited at the last 16 stage. The bookies are making the Poles clear favourites, probably because they have one of Europe’s best strikers in their side.
Robert Lewandowski is entering the twilight years of his career but he is still lethal in front of goal. The 32 year old Bayern Munich star is the captain and leader of this Polish team and with 66 goals, he is their record scorer. He scored 6 during their qualifying campaign and if Poland are to progress, they’ll need him to take every chance that comes his way. Milik is another attacking threat for the Poles but he is missing today. They’ll be looking to Jan Bednarek to keep things tight at the back.
The Slovaks also rely heavily on one player, the mercurial Marek Hamsik. Like Lewandowski, he isn’t getting any younger. However, he remains a pivotal player for Slovakia along with Inter defender Milan Skriniar. In attack, Slovakia will be looking to Mak, Kucka and maybe even young Feyenoord forward Bozenik to create chances and score the goals. However, Slovakia recently drew 0-0 with Cyprus and 2-2 with Malta and Poland could be too strong for them. Poland -1 in the handicap market at odds of 23/10 is the recommended bet.
Euro 2020 Matchday 4 Tip: Poland -1 @ 23/10 (William Hill/Paddy Power)
Spain v Sweden
Match Odds: Spain 1/3; Draw 4/1; Sweden 10/1.
Venue: Seville, Spain.
Kick Off Time: 8.00 pm.
Luis Enrique’s Spanish side are not the force they once were. The heady days of 2008-2012 are long gone and expectations are low for Spain at Euro 2020. Despite their lack of star quality, they should still be capable of equalling their performance in 2016 when they crashed out in the Last 16. The Swedes come here on the back of five wins in a row but they were all against lowly opposition. They did nick a point at home vs Spain in the qualifiers, but they lost the away tie 3-0.
The biggest factor in this match could turn out to be the weather. It is forecast to be 29 degrees at kick-off time, conditions that will hugely favour the Spaniards. They will be a lot more used to playing in that sort of heat than the Swedes. And, even though the Spain squad is not as strong as it has been in previous years, especially now that they are without Busquets due to Covid, they are still a much better team than Sweden on paper.
Victor Lindelof will be a key player at the back for Sweden, while Juventus man Dejan Kulusevski and veterans Forsberg and Larsson will look to cause damage at the other end of the pitch. For Spain, Thiago will look to run the show in midfield and make Sweden chase the ball. They will be hoping that Gerard Moreno can carry his excellent club form into this tournament and score the goals. I think the Swedes will wilt in the sweltering heat in Sevilla so back Spain -2 at odds of 10/3.
