We continue with the round of 16 this Monday, with two matches scheduled for July 1st. Here’s a look at both encounters and a suggestion for betting on the outcome of each game:
Before doing so, let’s review the latest outright market prices: England finds themselves back as tournament favourites at 7/2, with Spain edging closer at 9/2. Hosts Germany and France follow closely behind at 11/2, with Portugal priced at 13/2. The Netherlands remain in the hunt at 12/1, while the remaining field is priced at 16/1 or higher.
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FRANCE v BELGIUM – Click here to bet
After a rather disappointing 1-1 draw against Poland in their last group encounter, Group D runners-up France now face a significantly more competitive challenge in the Round of 16 against Belgium at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf this coming Monday. The French began their campaign with a clinical 1-0 victory against Austria but struggled to secure further wins, ending the group stages with consecutive draws. Despite not reaching the desired heights we are accustomed to seeing from the French, the knockout stages provide an opportunity for Les Bleus to showcase their true potential. With two goals scored so far in the tournament, France will need to enhance their attacking capabilities and create more scoring opportunities against a resilient Belgian defence if they are to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
France enter the round of 16 having averaged 0.67 goals per game in the group stages, with under 2.5 goals arriving in 100% of those encounters (3 out of 3).
Belgium, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on their strengths this Monday, despite underperforming by their own standards so far. The Red Devils finished as runners-up in Group E after a shock 1-0 defeat in their opening game against Slovakia, followed by a below-par 0-0 draw against Ukraine on matchday 3, leaving all four nations tied on four points. With experienced players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku leading the charge, coach Domenico Tedesco will be hoping his side can replicate the form they demonstrated during the qualifiers en route to Germany and rise to the occasion in the knockout stages, fully aware of the significance of the match for both teams.
Belgium enter the round of 16 having averaged 0.67 goals per game in the group stages, with under 2.5 goals arriving in 100% of those encounters (3 out of 3).
Head-to-Head
These two sides have a long history, having met 75 times in total. Belgium holds a slight edge with 30 wins, while there have been 19 draws and 26 defeats against France. Their most recent encounter was an entertaining one, with France securing a 3-2 victory over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals back in October 2021.
Betting
France 19/20
Draw 23/10
Belgium 7/2
Prediction
This should be a cracking game between two massive teams that are unlikely to hold back. Despite their modest performances at the Euros thus far, I believe the superior opposition will bring out the best in both teams. France has had Belgium’s number in their last two encounters, and with Kylian Mbappe back in the squad, I fancy them to make it three in a row against the Red Devils.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, France at 19/20
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PORTUGAL v SLOVENIA – Click here to bet
Group F winners, Portugal, embark on their round of 16 journey this Monday against one of the weaker teams remaining in the tournament. With Slovenia standing in their way of progressing to the quarter-finals, Roberto Martinez and his squad will be quietly confident of achieving a positive result that will see them surpass their performance from the previous edition, where they stumbled at this point three years ago. Having already qualified for the knockout stages after earning consecutive victories in the first two rounds of the group stage, a much weaker Portuguese outfit took to the field against Georgia on match day 3 in Gelsenkirchen, succumbing to their first defeat in a competitive match since their World Cup exit against Morocco in the quarter-finals back in 2022. Those wholesale changes and resulting defeat may have ended their 12-match winning streak (excluding friendlies), but they should bounce back with conviction, fielding a much-changed line for this all-important encounter.
Portugal enter the round of 16 having averaged 1.67 goals per game in the group stages, with over 2.5 goals arriving in 67% of those encounters (2 out of 3).
Slovenia, a surprise package, has reached the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time in their history. With just one prior appearance in this competition 24 years ago, the Slovenians have surpassed all expectations, especially given their relatively modest footballing pedigree. Remaining unbeaten in the tournament, Slovenia secured qualification for the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams after a 0-0 draw against England in their final Group C match. This Monday, they will face one of the tournament’s more favoured teams, hoping to replicate a similar outcome from their recent meeting in an international friendly earlier this year, winning 2-0 on that day.
Slovenia enter the round of 16 having averaged 0.67 goals per game in the group stages, with under 2.5 goals arriving in 100% of those encounters (3 out of 3).
Head-to-Head
These two sides have met only once, with Slovenia claiming a 2-0 victory in an international friendly in March 2024.
Betting
Portugal 37/100
Draw 15/4
Slovenia 17/2
Prediction
Slovenia has performed extremely well to reach this point by adopting a resilient defensive style of play, but progressing beyond this stage will be extremely difficult. Portugal’s attacking options will be hard for Slovenia to contain, and given Slovenia’s limited offensive showing so far in Germany, I believe Portugal will secure their place in the quarter-finals by a comfortable margin.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Portugal -1.5 at 11/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
