We examine all three UEFA European Championship encounters involving Groups A and B scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, and provide a betting suggestion for each match.
Before doing so, let’s review the latest outright betting markets. Both England and France are joint favourites at 4/1. Hosts Germany can be snapped up at 5/1. Portugal and Spain come in next at 13/2, with the Netherlands gaining support by overtaking Italy at 14/1. The rest of the field is priced at 16/1 or better. Please note that these odds may/will change after Monday and Tuesdays matches.
Click here for all the latest UEFA EURO Outright Betting
CROATIA v ALBANIA – Click here to bet
Having suffered a 3-0 loss to Spain in their group opener, Croatia could not live up to their reputation as the hardest-hitting middleweights in football. The Blazers will aim to bounce back immediately, knowing that progression from Group B could be on the line. With a deficit of three goals, Croatia currently occupies last place on the table, closely followed by Wednesday’s opponents, Albania, after their 2-1 slump at the hands of the current holders, Italy.
Before their 3-0 defeat to Spain in the opener, Croatia were on a winning streak of six consecutive games.
Albania will face unfamiliar opposition, Croatia, on Wednesday at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. Currently 3rd in their group standings, this game will prove to be crucial for the Eagles, especially after their 2-1 loss to Italy in the opening match. Despite starting their campaign with the fastest goal ever scored at a European Championship, Albania eventually succumbed to pressure from the defending champions, Italy. With a better goal difference over Wednesday’s opponents in the group standings, they will look to avoid a loss at all costs, knowing that qualifying for the next round can still be achieved as one of the third-best-ranked teams.
Despite their loss to Italy in the opener, Albania has scored in each of their last three consecutive games.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first encounter between these two.
Betting
Croatia 8/15
Draw 33/10
Albania 6/1
Prediction
A tricky game to call, given that both teams will be desperate to kick-start their respective campaigns. With no historical encounters to reference, and the importance of the occasion, a chance on limited goals is taken as my play for this one.
Suggested Bet: Totals, Under 2.5 goals at 8/10
Get your money back if your team loses to an injury time penalty.
Introducing Tough Luck Insurance from World Sports Betting. Bet on football matches with confidence, and if your team loses to an injury time penalty, we’ll return your stake as free bets.
*Valid for Pre-Match and Live in Play events up to 90 Mins.
T’s & C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R5000. Single/Straight bets only.
Free Bets do not qualify for this offer. Limited to 1 refund per customer per event.
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘ Tough Luck Insurance ’
GERMANY v HUNGARY – Click here to bet
Hosts Germany got off to a perfect start, comfortably disposing of Scotland by demolishing the Tartan Army 5-1 on match day 1. Such was their dominance that Julian Nagelsmann had the luxury of substituting all three front-men earlier than anticipated, keeping them as fresh as possible for game two against a desperate Hungary outfit at MHPArena in Stuttgart this Wednesday. Currently first in Group A with a superior goal difference of +4, Germany could potentially secure their place in the next round with a victory over the Hungarians.
Germany have failed to keep a clean sheet in three of their last five appearances and conceded to Hungary at least once in their last three consecutive encounters.
After failing to contain the Swiss in Cologne, Hungary enters Wednesday’s crucial encounter against hosts Germany knowing that their path to progress from the group has suddenly become more challenging. Following their 3-1 defeat to Switzerland, Hungary currently occupies third place in Group A, finding themselves chasing the pack and facing an uphill battle if they are to advance beyond the group stages. With a goal difference of -2 early in the competition, their situation is far from ideal, especially considering the formidable opposition they will face this Wednesday.
The Hungarians have scored in each of their last twelve consecutive matches and remain unbeaten against Germany in their last three encounters.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have a rich history, having met thirty-seven times. Germany has won thirteen matches, Hungary has won twelve, and twelve matches have ended in a draw. Their most recent encounter resulted in a 1-0 win for Hungary in the UEFA Nations League in September 2022.
Betting
Germany 2/7
Draw 5/1
Hungary 10/1
Prediction
Germany are resounding favourites, and rightfully so, given their dominant performance in the opening round. However, at current odds of 2/7, the value firmly lies with the opposition. Hungary has kept Germany at bay and scored at least once in their last three encounters. Considering the importance of this fixture, the current odds of 10/11 for the visitors to find the back of the net looks like a worthy play.
Suggested Bet: Hungary Totals, Over 0.5 at 10/11
SCOTLAND v SWITZERLAND – Click here to bet
Following their heavy 5-1 defeat to Germany in the opener, Scotland face an uphill battle in Cologne to keep their hopes alive of advancing beyond the group stages in this competition. Currently occupying last place in Group A with a goal difference of -4, The Tartan Army will need to improve both their goal scoring and points tally. Their next challenge is against an impressive Switzerland team, highly favoured to advance alongside Germany into the next round.
Ryan Porteous’ red card means he will serve an automatic one-match ban and will miss the game against Switzerland for his studs-up tackle on Ilkay Gundogan.
Switzerland made an impressive start to their Euro campaign by defeating Hungary 3-1 in their opening match of the tournament. Having cruised to a 2-0 lead at the break, the Red Crosses made life difficult for the Hungarians, restricting them to just two shots on target throughout the game. Currently sitting in 2nd place with three points and a +2 goal differential, the Swiss are well-positioned to advance beyond the group stages, knowing that a victory against Scotland at RheinEnergieStadion should see them through.
Switzerland has registered only one defeat in their last fifteen matches, securing seven victories and seven draws in the process.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have met 16 times in the past, with Scotland holding the upper hand with eight wins, three draws, and five defeats. Their most recent encounter resulted in a 3-1 win for Switzerland in an international friendly back in March 2006.
Betting
Scotland 33/10
Draw 11/4
Switzerland 17/20
Prediction
Scotland should give a better account of themselves but will face a difficult task given how impressive Switzerland were against Hungary. Both teams will be targeting a win for very different reasons, making both teams to score at evens a decent shout.
Suggested Bet: Both teams to score, Yes at 1/1
Click here for all of this week’s International football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
