Euro 2020 round of 16 previews. Prediction time.

Euro 2020 round of 16 previews. Prediction time.

By Steven Kelly.

What a whirlwind of emotions these championships have been to date. Nobody would have foreseen what was going to happen to date, when the tournament kicked off on June 11th. From the highs of seeing Patrik Schick score that wonder goal against Scotland to the lows of seeing Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsing on the field against Finland, the Euro’s have made us go on a rollercoaster of emotions. As we enter the knockout rounds one thing is for certain, that football has the power to bring us all together and at the end of the day, there are more important things in life, such as family and health. Considering the ongoing pandemic at the minute, the quality and skill on show at these finals have given many people a huge lift in these uncertain times. And the good news is the competition really begins now. With 24 teams starting out and being divided into 6 groups, it gave many teams renewed optimism of making the later rounds.

Four of the best 3rd placed teams made it through, including Switzerland, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. One of the negative responses to some teams getting through was that in one group 3 points was enough to get 2nd place. In this instance it was Denmark. Unfortunately, that is the name of the game and based on what Denmark went through, not many teams would begrudge them a spot in the Round of 16. Let's take a look at the games in the last 16 and who is best placed to make the quarter-finals.

Game One: Wales vs Denmark [Saturday the 26th of June at 5pm]

This fixture gives both teams a realistic opportunity of surpassing expectations. After a somewhat underwhelming performance against Switzerland in their opening group A game, Wales salvaged a point thanks to a Kieffer Moore header. The Welsh followed that performance up with a control showing against Turkey, where Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey showed their class. They then entered the lion's den against tournament pace-setters Italy and put in a gutsy showing, in a 1-0 defeat. Wales were semi-finalists back in 2016 and have a host of talented young players such as Daniel James and Harry Wilson. Coupled with the experience of Bale and Ramsey, they will fancy their chances against the Danes. Denmark has had a difficult start to Euro 2020, on the back of that Eriksen incident. However, the team showed great courage and togetherness after defeats to Finland and Belgium and came away with a comprehensive 4-1 win against Russia, last time out. Captain Simon Kjaer will have his side well up for this game, so it's looking 50/50 at present. After a close encounter, Denmark will scrap through 2-1. They seem to be slowly but surely improving and were unlucky not to get a result against Belgium, who they kept quiet for 65 minutes.

Game Two: Italy vs Austria [Saturday the 26th of June at 8pm]

Based on the group stages alone, Italy seems to be the form team as we enter the round of 16. With a solid defence including Bonucci and Emerson to go along with Chelsea’s Jorginho in midfield and Immobile upfront, the Azzurri seem to be a force to be wrecked with. Italy are unbeaten in 29 matches and look well placed to brush aside Austria. Having beaten Turkey and the Swiss with no fuss, Italy had a relatively relaxed win over Wales. They are still to concede a goal and they remain title contenders. Austria on the other hand has been a mixed bag so far. Following a 3-1 win over North Macedonia, they were made look average at best in their defeat to the Dutch. However in their final group game, former Bayern Munich player and Real Madrid bound David Alaba, helped his side create history, by making it into the knockout stages of a European Championship for the first time. He is their go-to player. Unfortunately, you can't look past a comfortable Italian win. Going to go for a 2-0 win here.

Game Three: the Netherlands vs Czech Republic[Sunday the 27th of June at 5pm]

The Dutch have been relatively untroubled throughout their Group B campaign. Before the tournament had begun they were left without Virgil Van Djik, which was a devastating blow. However, midfielder Gini Wijnaldum has been a revelation and has chipped in with some important goals. After a lacklustre 3-2 win over Ukraine, the Dutch had easy wins over North Macedonia and Austria and in the process scored many goals. If the Dutch are to have any chance of winning the championship they will need to find firepower upfront. De Jong and Depay have been great, but they lack an out and out number 9. The Czech’s on the other hand finished 3rd in Group C. They managed a fine 2-0 in Hampden against the Scots before frustrating a talented Croatia side. In their final game, they were narrowly defeated by England at Wembley. They will look to Soucek and goal hero Schik, to bring their form into the knockout stages. The Czech’s on their day, are capable of causing a surprise. After a close battle, I can’t see past a 2-1 win for the Netherlands here.

Game Four: Belgium vs Portugal[Sunday the 27th of June at 8pm]

Well, this has the potential to be a blockbuster. Belgium has arguably the strongest sides on paper at these finals. They come up against a Portugal side that includes the likes of Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes. Belgium coasted through their Group games with fine wins over Russia, Denmark and Finland. Romelu Lukaku has been on fire with Kevin De Bruyne and Carrasco lending a hand from midfield. Apart from that fright against the Danes, they will fancy their chances of progressing to the last eight here. Portugal was drawn in the group of death along with France, Germany and Hungary. After a ponderous showing against Hungary, where late goals by Ronaldo were needed, they were outplayed and outclassed by the Germans, in a 4-2 defeat. In their final game, they showed glimpses of potential in a 2-2 draw against the world champions, France. It may be argued that these tough games will stand to the Portuguese. After a thriller Belgium to win 3-2.

Game Five: Croatia vs Spain[Monday the 28th of June at 5pm]

On paper, this looks like another fascinating tie. Spain looked far from their best in Group E, finishing 2nd behind Sweden. They love to pass through teams, but at times they seem to overplay the ball. After failing to find the net against Sweden in a 0-0 draw, they were again left frustrated in a 1-1 draw with Poland. Their fate came down to the final game and after an own goal by the Slovakian Keeper, they went on to record a 5-0 win. With players like Ferran Torres and Alvaro Morata in their ranks, manager Luiz Enrique will be hoping that the Spanish can live up to their potential in the knockout stages. Croatia are coming into this game as an unknown quantity after losing to England in their opening game, they recovered to draw with the Czech Republic before a Luka Modric beauty inspired them to a 3-1 win over Scotland at Hampden. Croatia are struggling to find an out and out striker, with Manzukic having retired after the 2018 world cup in Russia. This might be their undoing and Spain look better placed to take the victory here, on a 2-1 scoreline.

Game Six: France vs Switzerland[Monday the 28th of June at 8pm]

Game six has the French up against near-neighbours Switzerland. Les Bleus have a huge amount of talent at their disposal. Having finished top of Group F, France will look to showcase why they are considered the firm favourites for the European crown. With the likes of Kante, Pogba, Benzema and Mbappe to call on, teams will be fearful of this side. Switzerland has struggled to make an impact in knockout football in the past and it looks unlikely that this will change here. Having taken a point off Wales and 3 off Turkey, they were well put to the sword by the Italians. On the plus side, Embolo has been a huge threat up top for the Swiss and Rodriguez out wide can cause the French backline problems. It is hard to look past anything other than a France win. I'm going to go for a 3-1 win here.

Game Seven: England vs Germany[Tuesday the 29th of June at 5pm]

History tells us that England doesn’t fancy playing the Germans in knockout football, apart from the 1966 world cup win. England comes into this tie on the back of an unbeaten group campaign. They are yet to set the world alight and after a 1-0 win over Croatia, they gave a pretty lacklustre performance in a 0-0 draw with Scotland. This was followed by a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in their final group game. The concern for manager Gareth Southgate has to be the form of Harry Kane. If England is to bring it home, they will need Kane to rediscover his form. Another concern is the lack of goals. Only Raheem Sterling has scored so far. Does Southgate know his best side? Does the fact that England play 2 defensive midfielders in Rice and Philipps actually allow England to utilise their forward play? Saka was impressive against the Czechs, but it looks like Foden will be picked to play Germany. The Germans come into this game having finished behind France in group F. Having been beaten by the French in their opening game, the Germans had a comfortable 4-2 win over Portugal. However, in their last game, it took a late Leon Goretzka strike to save elimination, against Hungary. Germany has quality all over the field with the likes of Toni Kroos in midfield. However, they look vulnerable at the back and with all of England’s attacking options I feel England will fancy their chances here. I am going for a 2-1 win at Wembley for the three lions.

Game Eight: Sweden vs Ukraine[Tuesday the 29th of June at 8pm]

The final last 16 tie to take place is between Sweden and Ukraine on Tuesday evening. Sweden were impressive in the group stages after holding Spain to a 0-0 draw. They followed this up with a fine performance against Slovakia, before eventually coming back to beat Poland 3-2, in the final round of games. Alexander Isak has been one of the stars of the tournament and Sweden will be confident he can cause the Ukrainian side many problems. Ukraine qualified on 3 points after a win over North Macedonia. Manager Andriy Shevchenko will be hoping his side can play a more expansive style of play, which can cause Sweden problems. Ukraine have West Ham player Yarmolenko in their ranks, who on his day can beat any defence. I'm expecting this to go all the way to penalties, with Sweden to progress.

There you have it. The round of 16 promises to bring us more thrills and spills along the way. So many questions need to be answered. One thing is for sure, thank god for our beautiful game. Roll on Saturday.