Euro 2020 Matchday 6 Previews and Tips

Two own goals cost us dearly yesterday. Hungary were well on their way to securing a draw when Portugal scored a lucky, deflected goal. An own goal made all the difference in the Germany v France match too. The second round of fixtures begins this afternoon at Euro 2020. Finland take on Russia in St Petersburg, Turkey v Wales in Baku and Italy v Switzerland in Rome. Surely we are due a change of luck, check out our Euro 2020 Matchday 6 previews and tips below.

Finland v Russia

Match Odds: Finland 5/1; Draw 13/5; Russia 4/6.

Venue: St Petersburg, Russia.

Kick Off Time: 2.00 pm.

Two teams that made very contrasting starts to Euro 2020 kick off proceedings on Thursday. Finland beat Denmark 1-0 in a match that was overshadowed by the Christian Eriksen incident. Russia were beaten 3-0 by Belgium and they’ll be desperate to get a result this afternoon. The Russians have home advantage but are they capable of making it count?

Finland were being dominated by Denmark up until Eriksen’s collapse. After the resumption, Denmark were clearly shellshocked and the Finns took full advantage. Russia ended up being well beaten by Belgium but the scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story. Two bad individual errors cost them two goals and the game was over by the time Lukaku added the 3rd.

The Finns will likely play for a draw here and it will be up to Russia to take the game to them. I don’t think Russia were as bad as the result suggests vs Belgium and Finland were very fortunate to win. Golovin and Miranchuk have the ability to break the Finnish defence down and Dzyuba is capable of scoring goals. I can see the Finns holding out for 60/70 minutes but the Russians can finish strong and get the win they desperately need. In the halftime/full-time market, draw/Russia is the recommended bet at 16/5.

Euro 2020 Matchday 6 Tip: Draw halftime /Russia fulltime @ 16/5

euro 2020 matchday 6: Turkey v Wales

Match Odds: Turkey 7/5; Draw 21/10; Wales 23/10.

Venue: Baku, Azerbaijan.

Kick Off Time: 5.00 pm.

This match is being played in Azerbaijan but it will be like a home game for Turkey. Up to 25,000 Turks are expected to attend and they will far outnumber the Welsh fans. They will be hoping that a partisan crowd will help them to bounce back from their defeat to Italy. Wales opened up with a plucky 1-1 draw vs Switzerland. They were poor for large parts of that game though and much more will be needed if they are to win this one.

Turkey were played off the park by Italy in Rome. They couldn’t get near the Italians and it was a demoralising defeat. Wales also struggled to impose themselves vs Switzerland. They did have a few fleeting dangerous moments but they needed a set-piece header from big man Kieffer Moore to rescue a point against a Swiss side that were by far the better team.

Wales will need a whole lot more from Bale and Ramsey if they are to trouble Turkey. As for the Turks, Calhanoglu needs to have a much bigger impact than he had vs Italy. They simply have to provide Burak Yilmaz with better service. However, Turkey should have much more of the ball than they did vs Italy and they might just have too much quality for the Welsh. Wales will be dangerous from set pieces though and they might nick a goal. So, I am backing Turkey to win and both teams to score at 11/2.

Euro 2020 Matchday 6 Tip: Turkey/both teams to score @ 11/2

Italy v Switzerland

Match Odds: Italy 4/6; Draw 11/4; Switzerland 11/2.

Venue: Rome, Italy.

Kick Off Time: 8.00 pm.

The closing match on Matchday 6 sees Italy take on Switzerland in Rome. After their dominant display on opening night v Turkey, I thought Italy would be shorter than 4/6 for this. Even without Verratti and possibly Berardi they should have too much quality for the Swiss. They were held to a 1-1 draw vs Wales in their first game. They’ll need to improve hugely on that display to have any hope this evening.

Italy looked really good vs Turkey. Their passing was excellent and the Turks tired themselves out trying to chase them down. Jorginho bossed the midfield, Chiellini and Bonucci were dominant in defence and Immobile and Inisgne looked lively up top. Embolo was the star man for Switzerland against Wales and he represents their best chance of getting a goal against the stingy Italian defence.

Having watched these two in their first games, it is impossible to look past Roberto Mancini’s men. They look like real contenders to win the whole thing. They will want to get the 3 points here, wrap up qualification and then rest players in the final game. I think the Italians will win this by two or three goals so back them -1 in the handicap market at 15/8.

Euro 2020 Matchday 6 Tip: Italy -1 @ 15/8