SUNDAY:
GROUP A
ITALY V WALES
Italy put in another quality performance during their win over Switzerland on Wednesday which secured their place in the last 16. They were great in possession and defensively tough to break down like they have been for the last year or two. The result was their 10th straight clean sheet in all internationals and extended their long unbeaten run going back to September 2018 which is absolutely incredible. I can see them go far in this tournament with the form they're in.
Wales looked impressive in their win over Turkey which was a game they had to win to keep their last 16 hopes alive. They created the best chances throughout the game and the big players finally stepped up. Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale were quiet in their opening game against Switzerland and against Turkey the pair were lively from the start with Ramsey making some good runs into the box and Bale playing some good balls into the box. Rob Page will need the pair of them to play like that in this one if they're to get something out of this one.
I'm going for an Italy win because they're full of confidence and looking unbeatable at the moment. They may make some changes having secured their place in the last 16 but they should still have enough in them to win this game.
PREDICTION: 2-0
SWITZERLAND V TURKEY
Switzerland started on the front foot against Italy on Wednesday but didn't create many serious opportunities as Italy eventually outplayed them to win the game. They were second best throughout and they never really looked like scoring because of how dominant Italy were.
They'll have more of the ball in this game like they did in heir opening game against Wales as Turkey aren't a team who dominate possession like Italy do. With the pace of Breel Embolo and the creativity of Xherdan Shaqiri the Swiss will cause Turkey problems.
Turkey was seen as a dark horse by some people going into this tournament which I was quite surprised with as I wasn't expecting them to go very far. They're having the tournament I expected them to have because I thought they didn't have enough quality to reach the last 16 compared to the other sides in their group. They got outplayed by Italy in their opening game and against Wales they didn't take their chances.
They're basically out after losing their opening two games but they could still qualify as one of the best teams to finish 3rd by winning this game. This is because Switzerland are above them in the group with 1 point and a win for the Turks in this one would take them above their opponents.
I'm going for a Switzerland win because I think they'll have more than enough to win the game. They have more quality than Turkey on papaer and because of that I think they'll win this game.
PREDICTION: 2-1
MONDAY:
GROUP B
FINLAND V BELGIUM
Finland had some good chances in their defeat to Russia but later found themselves guilty of missing those chances as Russia took control of the game and won it. They did take one opportunity in the first half but it was disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside. They'll need to take their chances in this one because if they don't they'll be punished as they're taking on the no.1 ranked team in the world.
Belgium were unrecognisable in the first half of their game against Denmark as they made a terrible start with Jason Denayer's mistake which they struggled to recover from. But they did however turn it around in the second half by making some subs and moving the ball quicker than they did in the first half. The subs made the difference and in particular Kevin De Bruyne as he set up Thorgan Hazard for the first and scored the second with a low strike into the bottom left hand corner.
Having De Bruyne back is a big boost for the Belgian's going into the knockout stages because of how important a player he is for them. With a player of his quality in their side they have every chance of going very far in these Euros.
I'm going for a Belgium win because they'll be too strong for Finland. With Kevin De Bruyne back in the side along with the other talented players they have I think they'll win this game rather handsomely.
PREDICTION: 0-4
RUSSIA V DENMARK
Russia had to work hard for their win over Finland and they may have to do the same here after watching Denmark's promising performance against Belgium. We didn't start the best against the Finnish but they did eventually take control of the game by creating lots of chances. They got the goal their pressure deserved and the result put them in a good position going into this one.
They should win this one as Denmark are without Christian Eriksen plus the Russians are playing at home which should give them the advantage as they'll have the crowd behind them. They have some good players in their squad and with that they're more capable of beating a team without their best player.
Denmark were really playing for Christian Eriksen against Belgium as they made a strong start to the game and stayed in it throughout. They were the better side in the first half from start to finish and they kept testing the Belgian defence even after they went behind and let their lead slip. They'll be proud of their performance and so will Christian Eriksen watching from his hospital bed.
This is game the Danes have to win as victory in this one will put them in the round of 16. They have lost both of their matches so far but they can still qualify as they have an equal goal difference to Russia. With Finland facing group favourites Belgium in the other game the Danes will not want to waste this opportunity.
I'm going for a Russia win because Denmark are without Eriksen and will therfore miss someone to unlock Russia's tight defence. With the Russia being reasonably solid defensively and having players going forward capable of winning them a game, I think they'll have enough to win this one.
PREDICTION: 2-0
GROUP C
NORTH MACEDONIA V HOLLAND
North Macedonia put in a good effort against Ukraine last time out by putting in an improved display in the second half. But they'll be disappointed with the goals they conceded. Yarmolenko was left unmarked for the first and no one picked up Yaremchuk for the second. They'll need to work on that if they're to stand a chance of getting something in this one.
They were poor defensively in their opening game against Austria and after another poor showing defensively against Ukraine, you don't give them much of a chance in this one due to the quality that Holland possess. They'll go for it like they have done in their other games but they could once again find themselves exposed as they're playing a top side in Holland.
Holland were brilliant from start to finish during their win over Austria by putting in a solid and well controlled performance. They were solid at the back, classy in midfield and created lots of chances going forward. They'll be a bit disappointed that they didn't win the game by more with the amount of chances they had but they'll still be happy that they won the game and put in a good performance.
The Dutch haven't been considered as one of the favourites for the tournament which I was quite surprised with considering the talent they have. They're a good all round team and if they can continue to play like they did against Austria they'll surely be recognised as a team to take seriously.
I'm going for a Holland win because I can see them win this game without too many problems. They're strong in all areas of the field and with the quality they have I can see them exploit North Macedonia's defensive weakness like Austria and Ukraine did.
PREDICTION: 0-4
UKRAINE V AUSTRIA
Ukraine were given a good game by North Macedonia on Thursday and especially in the second half. They were the dominant side in the first half as they had the best chances and made the better start. But in the second half they had to work as North Macedonia upped their tempo to make it a close game. They got the result they wanted in the end which was never in doubt and they have a great opportunity in this one book their place in the last 16.
Austria didn't really turn up against Holland despite a slightly improved start to the second half. It was a poor performance from them overall and they'll be expected to put in a much better showing in this one so they can book their place in the last 16.
They'll be happy to have Marko Arnautovic back from suspension because they really missed against Holland as they didn't have someone who can hassle defenders and cause them problems like he does. He made an impact off the bench in the opening game against North Macedonia and he'll want to do the same in this one whether he starts or comes on as a sub.
I'm going for an Austria win because I think they have more quality than Ukraine. With Marko Arnautovic back along with the quality of David Alaba, I think they'll have just enough to win the game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
TUESDAY:
GROUP D
CROATIA V SCOTLAND
Croatia played better than they did against England against the Czech Republic on Friday by creating more chances and having more shots at goal. They were probably the best side from open play because they had the best chances to win the game which they didn't take apart from the one that Ivan Perisic scored. I was expecting them to that game because of the quality they have but it wasn't to be as the Czech held on for the point.
After failing to win their opening two games Croatia simply need to win this one if they're to be in the last 16. They're tournament is yet to get going and winning this one would be a start for them as it's against a team they're capable of beating. They'll be expected to win this one as they have more quality than their opponents and for them to do that they need their big players to show up which we're yet to see.
I thought Scotland really deserved their point against England because they put in a real team effort to get the result they got. They caused England problems going forward and defensively they looked organised and difficult to play against. It was a result they needed to keep their last 16 hopes alive and they'll without a doubt be proud of the performance they put in on the day.
If they play like they did against England and take their chances they have a good chance of winning the game. They're yet to score a goal at these finals and getting their first in this one will be a massive plus.
I'm going for a Croatia win because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. They'll be better in possession than England were on Friday and because of that I can see them wear Scotland down and nick a goal or two.
PREDICTION: 1-0
CZECH REPUBLIC V ENGLAND
Czech Republic beat England when the two sides last met back in October 2019 during the qualifying stage for this tournament. That will give them confidence going into this game because they'll believe that they can beat them again having beaten them before plus they're top of the group on goal difference. It's been a solid start from them so far and they'll be looking to keep it up with a result in this one.
England were very disappointing against Scotland. They looked slow in possession and didn't create enough chances to win the game. Jack Grealish looked bright when he came on but his impact wasn't enough to spark England into life. Southgate only made two subs in that game in Grealish and Rashford and I think he should've made at least two more because of how flat the Three Lions were.
I won't be surprised if Southgate makes changes in this one because he will want a response from his players after a poor showing on Friday night. I wouldn't be surprised if Harry Kane got a rest because we haven't seen the best of him at these Euros. He's either tired after a long hard congested season at Spurs or he's distracted by the speculation linking him with a move away from Spurs. A rest in this game could be what he needs in order for him to return to his best.
I'm going for an England win because I think they'll make some changes and put in a better showing than they did against Scotland. The Czech will make it difficult but I think with some fresh legs in there England will cause them a few problems.
PREDICTION: 0-2
WEDNESDAY:
GROUP E
SLOVAKIA V SPAIN
Slovakia had no shots on target against Sweden which will be a slight worry for them going into this game as they're up against a top side in Spain. Martin Dubravka kept them in the game with some decent saves but going forward they didn't have the clinical edge hence why they had no shots on target. They'll need to do better on that front if they're to get something out of this game where a win would see them through to the last 16.
I get the feeling that Spain are a frustrating team to watch. They have have a lot of possession but don't always use it as the majority of their passes are played either backwards or sideways. During their period of dominance between 2008 and 2012 they had midfielders in Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva who always played passes forward and into the box. They no longer have those kind of players who take risks and create chances. I was excited about Spain going into this tournament because of the young players they have in their squad. They've been a disappointment so far.
I'm going for a Spain win because I think they'll have enough to win this game. They haven't had a great start to the tournament but they should still be able to win this game as they're a better team than Slovakia.
PREDICTION: 0-2
SWEDEN V POLAND
Sweden's win over Slovakia on Friday moved them to the top of the group which will give them confidence going into this game as they know a win here will guarantee them a place in the knockout stages. Alexander Isak has been their main shining light at these Euros with some really promising performances. He's been a threat whenever he's been on the pitch in both games and is becoming a key player for Sweden at such as young age. He's got the potential to be their new talisman.
Poland put in an all round good performance against Spain last time out by being solid and difficult to beat defensively plus they occasionally a threat going forward. It was a much better performance to the one they put in against Slovakia and the performance itself along with the result will hopefully give them the confidence they need to win this game. Lewandowski is finally off the mark and with someone like him in your side you have every chance of winning the game.
I'm going for a Poland win because I think they'll build on from their promising performance against Spain. Sweden will be a tougher opponent than Spain were but with Robert Lewandowski available, I think they'll have just enough to win the game.
PREDICTION: 0-1
GROUP F
GERMANY V HUNGARY
I did not see Germany's win and performance against Portugal coming as I haven't given them much of a chance in this tournament. It was their best performance in a long time and the result itself put them right in contention for a place in the last 16. They caused the Portugal backline all kinds of problems through the wing backs with Robin Gosens being the standout of the two and it was a dominant performance overall which enabled them to win the game comprehensively.
The Germans are playing a lot better than I thought they would at this tournament because I didn't give them much of a chance at the start based on their results over the last two years including the World Cup. They're clearly playing for departing manager Joachim Low who will want to endhis 15 year tenure on a high by taking his side far in this tournament.
Hungary got a deserved point against France yesterday by being solid and well organised along with having some decent chances going forward. No one gave them a chance going into that one and they proved everyone wrong by putting in a solid performance to earn themselves a point. They held on for the draw after conceding the equaliser and they got the point their performance deserved.
If they play like they did against France, they stand a chance of getting something in this one against a not so strong Germany side. If they can draw with world champions France, they can definitely get something against this current Germany side.
I'm going for a Germany win because they're looking back to their best after their win over Portugal and I think they'll have enough in them to win this game. With the threat of their wing backs I can see them do what they did against Portugal in causing the backline problems with their balls into the box.
PREDICTION: 3-0
PORTUGAL V FRANCE
A rematch of the final from five years ago where Portugal beat the odds to win the trophy through Eder's extra time winner. They'll once again be underdogs like they were in Paris that night and they'll once again believe that they can beat the French again. They have the same manager in Fernando Santos plus they have a much stronger team than they did on that day five years ago.
Portugal were completely outplayed by Germany the other day and defensively they looked disorganised which is something you never say about them. They were ripped open time and time again by the Germans as they struggled to cope with their attacks. They'll need to put in a better showing in this one because of the threat that France pose when they go on the attack.
France were left frustrated following their draw with Hungary yesterday as they struggled to make the most of their advantage. They had a lot of possession but didn't have the cutting edge in attack like they usually do. Kylian Mbappe looked bright on occasions but overall the French looked blunt in attack which is something we don't usually say about them.
Didier Deschamps will be hoping for a much better performance from his team in this one because of the calibre of opposition they'll be facing. They usually deliver in these kind of games and this is one where they have to deliver because of the opposition they're facing and the current position they find themselves in.
I'm going for a France win because I think they'll have just enough to win the game. They weren't at their best against Hungary but with this game being against a stronger opponent I think they'll up their game and put in a better performance with the quality they have.
PREDICTION: 1-2
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