Two more Euro 2024 Round of 16 matches take place on Monday 1st July when France take on Belgium and Portugal clash with Slovenia
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
France 9/10 Draw 9/4 Belgium 34/10
France finished as runners up to Austria in Group D. Their record comprised of 1 win and 2 draws and the Netherlands qualified in third and Poland went home.
France missed a chance to top the group when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in their latest match. Mbappe returned to action with a protective mask on his broken nose and he gave them a second half lead from the penalty spot. However Poland, who were already eliminated equalized on 79 minutes through a twice taken penalty and the result means France have a seemingly tougher task in the knockout rounds. Mbappe was left on the bench for the 0-0 draw with the Netherlands in their second outing whilst France came through their first group match with Austria with a 1-0 win courtesy of an own goal late in the first half.
Belgium came through the ultra tight Group E as runners up to Romania. All 4 nations finished with 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat for 4 points, Slovakia finished fourth and Ukraine, who had the worst goal difference were eliminated.
They drew their final group match with Ukraine 0-0, Lukaku missed their best chance of the match and has yet to open his account at this tournament. Belgium were were on the wrong end of a shock result in their opening match against Slovakia, going down 1-0. Next time out goals from Youri Tielemans (2 mins) and Kevin De Bruyne (80 mins) put Belgium back in contention for a place in the knockout rounds in a 2-0 win over Romania.
The Verdict:
France were solid enough in the win over Austria and kept a clean sheet against the Dutch but their draw with already eliminated Poland leaves a few question marks. Belgium look hard to assess for me, I wouldn't rule out improvement from some puzzling group stage results which didn't always reflect their dominance.
I'm open minded about the outcome but there is a price boost I quite like which is for Mbappe and Lukuka both to have over 1.5 shots on target each.
Bets: Mbappe and Lukuka both to have over 1.5 shots on target each was 6/1 now 7.25/1 with Sportingbet
Portugal 4/10 Draw 36/10 Slovenia 7.75/1
Portugal topped Group F with 6 points ahead of Turkey on goal difference. Georgia were third and Czech Republic were eliminated.
Portugal won their first 2 matches to seal a last 16 spot before they came unstuck against Georgia who beat them 2-0 in arguably the biggest shock of the tournament so far. Earlier Portugal had eased into the last 16 with a dominant 3-0 win over Turkey. Bernardo Silva and an own goal had them 2-0 to the good by half time and Bruno Fernandes added the third just before the hour mark. Substitute Francisco Conceicao scored Portugal's injury time winner in the 2-1 victory over Czech Republic. They dominated all the key stats but needed a freak own goal to level matters after the Czech's took a shock lead.
Slovenia qualified as best third place finisher from Group C. England topped that group and Denmark were runners up and Slovenia drew all 3 of their matches to finish above Serbia who were eliminated.
A last 16 place was sealed with a largely rearguard action in a 0-0 draw with England in their final group match. Earlier Slovenia looked to be heading for first Euro's final win when Zan Karnicnik gave them the lead after 70 minutes of their second group outing against Serbia but they conceded deep into stoppage time and it finished 1-1. Slovenia would have been happy with their 1-1 draw with Denmark from their opening match. They were second best for most of the first half but they grew into the game and Erik Janza levelled things up on 77 minutes.
The Verdict:
Slovenia are spirited but this might be a bridge to far if Portugal shrug off that shock defeat to Georgia. That said Slovenia did beat Portugal 2-0 in a friendly in March of this year so I wouldn't be rushing in to take a short price on the favourites.
The match makes only limited appeal to me betting wise but I'll have a small interest in Bruno Fernandes to score anytime.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Bruno Fernandes 5/2 with BoyleSports
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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