Month: June 2024

Two of the sides vying for seconds place go head-to-head in Berlin.

Poland was actually ok for most parts in their game with Netherlands but ultimately not good enough as they went down 2-1 despite going 1 goal up. Recent overall form them is now 4 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. Austria was full value for a point in their match with France but succumbed to an unfortunate own goal and lost 1-0. That takes their recent form to 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.

Team news:  Lewandowski is still not 100% and may not make this one. No issues for Austria.

Head-to-head statistics: 5 games 3 wins Poland and 2 draws.

Betting selection – Poland looked decent in their match but I was more impressed with Austria as they went toe-to-toe with France for long periods and kept Mbappe to very low danger. Take Austria win at 2.25 or 5-4 BetMGM.

Biggest game of the competition so far as two heavyweights clash in Gelsenkirchen.

Spain totally dominated Croatia for the full 90 minutes and were full value for the 3-0 win. That takes their recent form to 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. Italy beat Albania 2-1 after going behind in 23 seconds. They played well up till going 2-1 ahead then coasted really for last hour. That win takes their unbeaten run to 7 games with 5 wins and 2 draws.

Team news:  Aymeric Laporte is passed fit after missing game 1 for Spain. No injury issues for Italy.

Head-to-head statistics: 18 games 6 wins Spain, 6 draws and 6 wins Italy.

Betting selection – Spain with Germany have looked head and shoulders above the rest so far. Italy has a few decent players but look a bit average. Spain win at 6-5 or 2.20 Williamhill.

Big game in Frankfurt as two unbeaten sides go head to head.

Denmark were pretty one paced in their 1-1 draw to Slovenia in game 1. They took the lead but didn’t really kick on and 1 point was fair. Overall recent form is still unbeaten in 5, with 3 wins and 2 draws. England beat Serbia 1-0 in their opener but never really got going for me. They were economical and did enough. Controlled rather than dominating. Recent form for them is 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.

Team news:  No injury worries for Denmark. England still have LB Luke Shaw unable to start.

Head-to-head statistics: 7 games 1 win Denmark, 2 draws and 4 wins England.

Betting selection – Serbia never really tested England and Denmark were a bit one paced in their own game. I take England win at 1.75 or 3-4 BetMGM.

Second place is up for grabs in Group A behind Germany who should win all 3 games.

Scotland were destroyed by Germany 5-1 on opening day and even with 11 men they would have been not much better. A red card in the 1^st half for a daft tackle by Ryan Porteous means he misses all group games. Recent form moves to 1 win, 3 draws and 4 losses. Switzerland were very good in their opening game. Dominating Hungary for long periods and fully deserving a 3-1 win. They got minutes into Embolo’s legs too at the end of the game and he even scored in injury time.

Team news:  Porteous out for this one suspended no injury problems. Denis Zakaria is added to the squad here after missing out last match. Steven Zuber is a doubt though.

Head-to-head statistics: 1 game 1 win Scotland.

Betting selection – Germany obviously are a superb team but Scotland just did nothing. They were very poor. A win over minnows Gibraltar is the only victory for them in 10 games going all way back to September ’23. Swiss were solid in most areas and dangerous on the attack. Take Switzerland win at 1.91 or 10-11 Betfair.

Game two for these sides and both are pointless at this stage.

Croatia were outclassed v Spain and lost 3-0. They should in fairness have faced 10 men during the 2^nd half as Rodri should have been red carded for a clear goalscoring denying foul. The penalty was saved so no advantage at all. Overall recent for for them is 6 wins and 2 losses. Albania scored after 22 seconds of their game against Italy but then struggled for most of the game and lost 2-1. They seemed a bit overawed at times and never looked like they believed in themselves. Recent form now stands at 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses.

Team news:  Croatia will likely rotate after the Spain loss.  No injury worries for them. Albania have Jasir Asani as an injury problem.

Head-to-head statistics: No meetings.

Betting selection – Odds of 1.48 seem too short on Croatia. Albania have ability and should be able to keep this close. Take Albania +1.0/+1.5 at 1.73 or 8-11. We get paid on Albania win or draw. A 1 goal Croatia win is half win and half stakes returned.

Leipzig and the final match of the day as many teams favourite begins their Euro 2024. Portugal have an insane squad and Czechia will be up against it.

Portugal topped their group with a perfect run of 10 straight wins.  Beating Slovakia, Luxembourg, Iceland, Bosnia and Liechtenstein home and away. Overall recent form is 6 wins and 2 losses. Czechia finished 2^nd behind Albania on goal difference. They ended ahead of Poland, Moldova and Faroes. Recent form for them is great with an unbeaten run of 7 games with 6 wins and 1 loss.

Team news:  No issues for Portugal apart from starting selection. Tough decision for Roberto Martinez.  Full squad for Czechia also.

Head-to-head statistics: 5 games 4 win Turkey and 1 win Czechia.

Betting selection – Czechia on a good run but the best team they have played recently was Poland. A few easy games in there. Portugal 10 from 10 in qualifiers and I take Portugal -1 AH at 11-8 or 2.375 Skybet.

We head to Dortmund and the Signal Iduna Park for Turkey v Georgia.

Turkey topped their group with 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. A tough group with Croatia, Wales, Armenia and Latvia. Recent form is poor though with no wins in 5. They have 2 draws and 3 losses in that time. Georgia finished 4^th in their group but qualified through playoffs due to Nations League finish. In qualifying they had 2 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses. Recent run is 4 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.

Team news:  Turkey have no injury worries. Georgia have two doubts – Otar Kiteishvili and Solomon Kvirkvelia.

Head-to-head statistics: 3 games 2 win Turkey and 1 draw.

Betting selection – 4 of the last 6 both score for Turkey and 3 of last 5 for Georgia. Closer game than the odds suggest this one. Take Both score yes at 11-10 or 2.10 Bet365.

Belgium take on Slovakia in the Frankfurt Arena.

Belgium topped their group without being defeats. A tough one including Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Estonia. Recent form for them is an unbeaten run of 15 games (10 wins and 5 draws) that stretches back to November 2022. Slovakia ended their qualifying in 2^nd behind Portugal. They headed Luxembourg, Iceland, Bosnia and Liechtenstein. Recent form for them is 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 loss.

Team news:  Belgium are without Theate and Vertonghen for the opened while Meunier is a doubt. Doubts for Slovakia too with Vavro and Kucka not 100%

Head-to-head statistics: 1 game 1 win Belgium.

Betting selection – Belgium in superb form and will have too much firepower for Slovakia. Take Belgium Halftime-fulltime at 13-10 or 2.30 bet365.

One of the favourites for the tournaments France open their account today with a match against some peoples dark horse Austria.

Austria finished 2^nd in their group behind Belgium, ahead of Sweden, Azerbaijan and Estonia. Recent form for them is good with unbeaten run of 7 games with 6 wins and 1 draw. France won their group dropping just 2 points in 8 games. Ahead of Netherlands, Greece, Ireland and Gibraltar. Recent form is 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.

Team news:  No new injury problems for Austria but France have Aurelien Tchouameni out for this one.

Head-to-head statistics: 2 wins Austria, 1 draw and 3 wins France.

Betting selection – Despite Austria’s great form this is a superb France team with unreal depth. I take France -1 AH at 2.50 or 6-4 Williamhill.

England are outright favourites and will have a really tough opener against Serbia here.

Serbia ended 2^nd behind Hungary. Ahead of Montenegro, Bulgaria and Lithuania. Recent form for them is 3 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses. England topped their group ahead of Italy, Ukraine, Malta and N.Macedonia. Recent form is 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.

Team news:  Full sqaud and no issues for Serbia. Luke Shaw is doubtful while John Stones was injured last match and may sit out. Alexander Arnold is tipped to start in midfield which is a risk.

Head-to-head statistics: Have never face Serbia as a nation. 1 win England v Serbia & Montenegro.

Betting selection – England should beat Serbia but it will be tight at least for the start of the game. I think if England score Serbia will fall apart. England -1 at 7-5 or 2.40 Betfair.