The Euro 2024 Round of 16 gets under way on Saturday, first up Switzerland take on Italy and after that host nation Germany clash with Denmark.
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Switzerland 23/10 Draw 2/1 Italy 14/10
Switzerland arrive in the knockout rounds unbeaten. They came through their group as runners up to Germany with Hungary's third place also ensuring they progressed and Scotland were eliminated.
They started with a 3-1 win over Hungary, Kwadwo Duah and Michel Aebischer put Switzerland in control and after Hungary reduced the deficit Breel Embolo sealed victory in injury time. The Swiss then drew 1-1 with Scotland with Xherdan Shaqiri equalizing after they had fallen behind early doors and they came close to shocking Germany with Dan Ndoye giving them a first half lead which was only levelled in injury time of another 1-1 draw.
Italy finished as distant runners up to Spain in Group B, Croatia somehow squeezed through in third and Albania failed to make the cut.
In their first match Italy fell behind after just 17 seconds against Albania but Alessandro Bastoni and then Nicolo Barella had them 2-1 in front after just 17 minutes and there was no further scoring. Italy were decidedly second best in their 1-0 defeat to Spain in their second group outing and most recently they rescued a 1-1 draw with Croatia thanks to an equalizer from Mattia Zaccagni with virtually the last kick of a game which went deep into stoppage time.
The Verdict:
In Euro 2020 Italy beat Switzerland 3-0 on their way to being crowned champions but two subsequent matches in 2022 World Cup qualifying finished all square and to me this also looks set to be tight.
Italy have yet to prove they are the same level as they were in the last Euro's, I'm tempted to take them on in regulation time but I'll take some cover with the Swiss to go through via any method of victory.
Bets: Switzerland to qualify for the next round (any method) at 14/10 with Betway
Germany 6/10 Draw 29/10 Denmark 48/10
Germany topped their group ahead of the Swiss, unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 draw with Hungary third and Scotland have returned home.
Germany began with a 5-1 demolition of 10 man Scotland with goals from Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz (penalty) in the first half and Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can in the second. After that a 2-0 win over Hungary courtesy of a Musiala goal in the first half and Gündoğan in the second sealed a last 16 spot. Last time out Germany needed an injury time equalizer from Niclas Fullkrug in the 1-1 draw with the Swiss and that goal helped them stay top of the group.
Denmark drew all 3 of their matches to finish neck and neck with Slovenia (the Danes were runners up to due a better disciplinary record) and 2 points behind group winners England with Serbia the side to be eliminated.
In their first match against Slovenia Christian Eriksen gave Denmark the lead after 17 minutes but they failed to build on that advantage and were pegged back and it finished in a 1-1 draw. Morten Hjulmand scored the Danes equalizer against England in another 1-1 draw and last time out they played out a 0-0 draw with Serbia.
The Verdict:
Germany have kept the same starting line up throughout the group stage but they have given their substitutes plenty of minutes and I'm prepared to forgive them a below par display against a pretty useful Swiss side last time out.
Denmark are well organised but have battled to score goals, I can see them being competitive but will side with the Germans to win by a single goal margin in regulation time.
Bets: Winning margin, Germany by 1 goal at 2.45/1 with Betway
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Note, we also have a dedicated Euro 2024 thread on our discussion forum where knowledgeable football punters from our community post their own tips. If you would like to join in you can register for an account here
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