SATURDAY:
WALES V DENMARK
Wales did just enough to keep the score down in their defeat against Italy to book their place in the last 16 and with 10 men as well. They had to be resolute because of the score in Switzerland's game with Turkey and it ended up being enough for them as they ended up with a superior goal difference which was enough for them to finish in the top two of their group.
I think Wales will be feeling confident going into this one because of the resolute performance they put in against Italy plus they have a good team spirit which was crucial to their success five years ago. If they can use their team spirit alongside putting in a good performance on the day they have a strong chance of winning this game and reaching another Quarter final.
Denmark were outstanding in their final group game against Russia as they blew them away to book their place in this round of the tournament along with scoring two brilliant goals. They put in a brilliant performance without their talisman in Christian Eriksen who they did proud.
Their last two performances have shown that they're playing for the Inter Milan midfielder and they'll be looking to do the same here as they attempt to reach the Quarter finals for the first time since 2004. They have a good team spirit which they've shown in recent games and they're a team not to be underestimated after watching their performance against Russia.
I'm going for a Wales win because I can see them just edge it here. They have a more clinical no.9 even though he plays in a division lower than the Danish strikers and with their overall team collective I think they'll win this game.
PREDICTION: 1-0
ITALY V AUSTRIA
Italy are definitely one of the contenders for this tournament after watching their performances during the group stages. They're good in possession and defensively they don't give much away. They've kept 11 clean sheets in a row across all internationals and they've won their last 11 games during a 30 game unbeaten run. They're in great form and I wouldn't be surprised if they reached the final because of how strong their team is.
They're be expecting to win this one as they're in good form and the game itself being one that they can definitely win. With the quality they have in all areas they'll surely have more than enough to win this game. Especially with the form they're in.
This will be Austria's first ever knockout game at these finals having failed to get past the group stage in tall their appearances. They got here by beating Ukraine on Monday where they put in a decent enough performance despite the hatful of chances they missed. The good news for them is that they got through and they can now look forward to this tough game against the Italians.
Their last game against one of the big nations was a rather poor one as they were outplayed 3-0 by Holland. They'll be facing a similar kind of side in this one as Italy are a team who like to have possession of the ball and win the ball back as soon as they lose it just like the Dutch. The Austrians will need to be at it from the first whistle if they're to get any kind of result here because they'll be punished if they're not. Just like they were against Holland.
I'm going for an Italy win because I think they'll be too strong for Austria. They have quality in all areas of the field and with that I think they'll win this game rather comfortably.
PREDICTION: 3-0
SUNDAY
HOLLAND V CZECH REPUBLIC
Holland are looking like a side to be feared after their recent results against Austria and North Macedonia. They're strong in all areas of the pitch and because of that I can see them reach at least the Semi finals because they have the quality to do so. They weren't considered as one of the favourites at the start of the tournament but recent results and performances could give them the confidence to put themselves right in the mix.
Czech Republic are a side who I wasn't expecting to reach this stage of the competition and they just went and proved me wrong. They've been in every game they've played in at these finals and it wouldn't surprise me if they make this one a close game. They're a difficult side to play against which we learnt from their three games so far and they'll be expected to make it a difficult game for the Dutch.
I'm going for a Holland win because I think they'll have just enough to win the game. The Czech will make it difficult for them but the Dutch's quality should be enough for them to see the game through.
PREDICTION: 2-0
BELGIUM V PORTUGAL
Belgium had to be patient in their win against Finland as they struggled to get in behind their stubborn defence for most of the first half. Their patience eventually paid off as they moved the ball quicker in the second half which enabled them to get the win they wanted. They got out of their group which was never in doubt considering the teams they had to face and now their credentials will be tested.
This will be their first test of the tournament because of the quality of team they're facing in holders Portugal. They haven't had many tests so far in these Euros as they were placed in a fairly weak group and now they can show why they're one of the contenders. They're the no.1 rankled team in the world and they'll want to show us why in this one.
Like 2016 Portugal again have booked their place in the last 16 by being one of the best teams to finish 3rd in their group. It's bit different this time round as they won, drew and lost each of their group games whereas five years ago they drew all of them yet still qualified for the next round and went on to win the whole thing. Can they do it again? This game could tell us the answer.
Cristiano Ronaldo could overtake Ali Daei as the all time record international goal scorer if he scores in this one after his double against France increased his goal tally to 109 which is the same amount that Daei has. He's broken two records already at these Euros in the all time record goal scorer at the Euros itself and the all time record goal scorer at major tournaments in general. With this tournament likely to be his last he'll want to go out on a bang.
I'm going for a Belgium win because I think the pace of their game will be too much for Portugal. Portugal were ripped apart by an attacking Germany side a week ago and I can see the same happening here. Especially with someone like Kevin De Bruyne on the pitch.
PREDICTION: 3-1
MONDAY:
CROATIA V SPAIN
Croatia showed their class against Scotland on Tuesday night as they finally showed up after a rocky start to the tournament. Luka Modric showed that he's still got it at 35 years of age as he scored a brilliant goal with the outside of his foot and set up Ivan Perisic for the winner. He'll be 36 later this year and for him to continue delivering is a massive plus for Croatia because they need their big players to deliver if they're to have a successful tournament. Especially in a game like this one.
Spain looked more like themselves against Slovakia on Wednesday as they moved the ball quicker and took their chances. Slovakia were terrible but Spain still had to put in a performance to win the game which is exactly what they did. Luis Enrique will want more of the same from his players in this one because of the quality of team they're facing in Croatia and the confidence they gained from their result and performance against Slovakia.
I'm going for a Croatia win because I can see them frustrate Spain and nick the win. The Spanish were brilliant against Slovakia but in this one they're up against a tougher and more difficult opponent in Croatia. They won't have the space and freedom they had against Slovakia in this one because of the kind of team Croatia are.
PREDICTION: 1-0
FRANCE V SWITZERLAND
France weren't convincing for much of their draw with Portugal on Wednesday and in particular the first half. They didn't move the ball quick enough for most of the half and were lucky to go in 1-1 at half time as the penalty awarded to them shouldn't have been given. They played better in the second half as we expected by creating more chances and having more shots at goal.
Didier Deschamps will want a better showing from his team for the whole 90 minutes because they haven't been at their best in each of their last two games against Hungary and Portugal. They were considered as the favourites before the tournament started because of the strength of their squad. They now need to show us why they're considered as the team, to beat.
Switzerland are once again in the last 16 of a major tournament but by a different route this time round. They qualified as one of the best teams to finish 3rd in their group after being pipped to 2nd place by Wales. They always have enough to get out the group but not enough to beyond the round of 16 due to the lack of a top class centre forward. They have a decent squad of players but it's not of the calibre of the French squad or the squads of the other big teams in the tournament.
I'm going for a France win because I think they'll have more than enough to win this game. It won't be an easy game for them but they'll still have enough to win it because of the world class players they have in their team.
PREDICTION: 2-0
TUESDAY:
ENGLAND V GERMANY
England put in an improved performance against the Czech Republic as they moved the ball a lot quicker than they did against Scotland. Bukayo Saka was excellent throughout and his performance will without a doubt put him in contention for another start in this one. He was a threat whenever he broke forward and was deservedly the man of the match because of the performance he put in. Jack Grealish impressed also as he set up the goal for Sterling and was always wanting the ball. He simply has to start this one as he's kind of player England need in games like this one.
Gareth Southgate won't have fond memories of facing Germany as his penalty miss at Euro 96 was against the Germans which saw England bow out on penalties. He'll want to put that memory to one side and focus on leading his England side to glory as they look to reach the Quarter finals of this tournament.
Germany had to come from behind twice to draw with Hungary on Wednesday which sealed their place in the last 16. They were facing another group stage exit for much of the game and Leon Goretzka's equaliser was just enough for them to qualify for the knockout stages. I didn't expect them to finish 2nd in their group because I thought they were finished as one of the best teams in the world. They'll still take it because of their poor form over the last few years.
Germany have a good record against England in major tournaments and they'll want to keep it up here with another win at Wembley. They beat the Three Lions at Wembley during Euro 96 which they went on to win and another win over them here could possibly give them the confidence to go all the way. It would be a good parting gift for Joachim Low who as we all know is leaving at the end of these finals.
I'm going for an England win because Germany aren't the team they were and I can see England really go at them. They'll be up for the game because of the history of the fixture and with Jack Grealish hopefully starting I can see him causing the Germans problems and leading the Three Lions to victory.
PREDICTION: 2-1
SWEDEN V UKRAINE
Sweden finished top of their group ahead of Spain which I did not see coming at all. I didn't even see them finishing in the top two never mind at the very top. They've proved that they're a good team without any real superstars which they proved at the World Cup when they finished top of a group involving then world Champions Germany and reached the Quarter Finals. They're a team who must not be underestimated which we found out in their opening game against Spain.
Ukraine qualified for this stage by being one of the best teams to finish 3rd in their group. They put in decent performances in their opening two games against Holland and North Macedonia but against Austria they were a bit flat. They weren't crisp enough in their passing and were rarely a threat in front of goal. They'll need to put that right in this one if they're to win this one and reach the Quarter Finals This will be the time that they've reached this stage of the tournament having gone out at the group stages in both of their two appearances in 2012 and 2016.
I'm going for a Sweden win because I think they'll have enough to win the game. It will be a close game and I think the Swedes will just come out on top as they look solid in all areas and have a stronger team than Ukraine.
PREDICTION: 1-0
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