I’m back again and predicting every round of 16 fixture of the Euros. We won’t talk about
my group stage predictions – a poor 9 out of 24 places correctly guessed. I was quite wrong
about Croatia and Poland getting knocked out and didn’t predict such good performances
from Austria and Romania; but I did predict newcomers Georgia to go through so that’s
something!
So with the first round of the knockout kicking off on Saturday until Tuesday, here are my
prediction’s for all eight games.
Switzerland vs Italy (17:00 – Saturday 29)
Switzerland have done well this tournament; a strong attacking 3-1 win over Hungary, a 1-1
battle with Scotland before drawing against already qualified hosts Germany. Italy have had
a mediocre tournament – as I had predicted – and only scraped through the group stages
with a last minute equaliser against Croatia. Despite dominating possession against Albania
they only managed a 2-1 win, and the scoreline didn’t justify Spain’s control in their win
over Italy after. The Swiss will be without ever-present right wing-back Silvan Widmer
following his suspension, whilst Italy’s centre-back Riccardo Calafiori also misses out.
Switzerland haven’t won against Italy in over 30 years, a streak of 11 matches but six of
those include draws, including their previous two. They can’t finish level-pegging this time
though, even if it means extra time and penalties. This game could really go either way.
Prediction: Switzerland 2-2 Italy (Italy to win on penalties)
Germany vs Denmark (20:00 – Saturday 29)
The hosts have performed well this tournament. A 5-1 opening day win over Scotland was
followed up by a comfortable 2-0 win over Hungary. They drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their
final group game, although their fate was already confirmed. Jamal Musiala and Niclas
Fullkrug have two goals apiece, and are the catalyst for Germany firing on all cylinders.
We haven’t seen the Denmark that we have previously seen at tournaments. 1-1 draws with
Slovenia and Denmark before a stalemate with Serbia meant the Danes finished runners-up
of Group C. Much has been talked about Christian Erikson and his return to the world stage
following his cardiac arrest in the previous Euros. He is certainly Denmark’s star man but
there needs to be more creativity in the time besides the no. 10.
I can only see this going game going one way – and with Germany playing at home with a
full crowd backing them, there could be plenty of goals.
Prediction: Germany 4-0 Denmark
England vs Slovakia (17:00 – Sunday 30)
Gareth Southgate’s selections have been the talking point in England since the tournament
began. Yes, England have only scored twice in three games but if we cast our eyes back to
Euro 2020, we also started in similar fashion and swiftly grew into the tournament. I
certainly haven’t lost hope. The substitutions in the final group game were positive (Mainoo,
Palmer and Gordon) and should definitely feature more against Slovakia. I think fans need to
remember we are not going to win every game 5-0, and it is extremely difficult to play
attacking on the front foot football against teams that sit back for the whole game. Know we
enter the knockouts, countries’ places in the tournament are on the line, so there will be
more end-to-end football which will certainly suit our attacking frontline.
Slovakia finished third in group E, although all four teams finished on four points! They
recorded a shock 1-0 win over Belgium with having several goals ruled out by VAR. They lost
2-1 against Ukraine despite having more possession before drawing 1-1 with Romania in
similar fashion. It’s evident Slovakia are a dominant side but they have so far failed to utilise
this possession to create chances and challenge the opposition.
I think this game will become more open the more it wears on.
Prediction: England 2-0 Slovakia
Spain vs Georgia (20:00 – Sunday 30)
Spain have been the stand-out team of the tournament so far. Three wins from three. Five
goals scored and no goals conceded. They boast one of the strongest teams in the
tournament including Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal who has become the youngest player
in Men’s Euro history at 16 years and 338 days old. Their mixture of experience and youth
has proved wonders so far this tournament.
The Georgian camp will be feeling similar as they are enjoying their first appearance at a
major tournament. The suffered a 3-1 loss over Turkey in the opening game, however the
third goal was courtesy of a last gasp counter attack from Georgia’s corner. They then drew
1-1 with Czech Republic before recording a shock 2-0 win over Portugal. Goalkeeper Giorgi
Mamardashvili has been pivotal in Georgia’s run, producing the most saves of any
goalkeeper in the tournament so far; whilst Georges Mikautadze is currently leading the
race for the golden boot with three goals in three games.
Whilst Georgia’s run has been nothing short of extraordinary, Spain will dominate all over
the pitch. Georgia will put up a fight but Spain have enough powerhouse to get them over
the line.
Prediction: Spain 3-1 Georgia
France vs Belgium (17:00 – Monday 1)
France have enjoyed a decent tournament so far. A 1-0 win over Austria before
unremarkable draws with the Netherlands and Poland show they haven’t set the world
alight. Kylian Mbappe broke his nose in their opening game and returned in their final group
stage game with a penalty conversion. Whilst there’s no I in team, it’s clear they are half the
team without their Starman.
Belgium have been underwhelming this tournament. They lost their opening game 1-0 to
Slovakia, despite having had 16 shots at goal. They then won 2-0 against Romania before
being booed off the pitch after drawing 0-0 with Ukraine. They boast some world-class
attackers in Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku. Some can see they’ve been
unlucky with numerous goals ruled out but they have been rightfully ruled out each time.
They need to convert the chances they have and in fewer quantity – they’re not going to get
20 chances against France.
I think this will be a relatively tight game but I can see France winning with some ease.
Prediction: France 2-0 Belgium
Portugal vs Slovenia (20:00 – Monday 1)
Portugal did okay in their group stages. They won their opening game 2-1 against the Czech
Republic courtesy of an own goal and injury time winner. They performed well in their 3-0
win over Turkey despite spewing several chances wide before losing against classy
underdogs Georgia. Much of the media’s attention will be focused on Cristiano Ronaldo and
how he’s failed to hit the back of the net yet. Portugal remain a strong side and have some
of Europe’s top players in their squad including Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
Slovenia enter the knock-outs as one of the best third place teams; having drawn all three of
their games in Group C, including a 0-0 draw over England. They have an experienced
goalkeeper in Jan Oblak and one of Europe’s top forwards in Benjamin Sesko. Slovenia don’t
enjoy lots of spells of possession and I can’t see them being able to keep Portugal out.
Prediction: Portugal 2-0 Slovenia
Romania vs Netherlands (17:00 – Tuesday 2)
I hold my hands up to Romania – they’ve shocked me a little bit this tournament, and I’m
sure I’m not the only one to say that. They finished top of Group E, although all teams
finished on four points. They started the group stages strongly with a 3-0 win over Ukraine
before suffering a 2-0 defeat against Belgium. Romania then drew their final group game 1-1
with Slovakia. Whilst their players have certainly deserved the recognition they have
received, they face a completely different showdown in the knock-outs against the
Netherlands.
The Netherlands have had an interesting tournament so far. They kicked-off their Euros with
a 2-1 victory over Poland before drawing 0-0 with France. They then lost 3-2 against Austria
in what is so far the game of the tournament. Netherlands have enjoyed some quality
moments in attack, with Cody Gakpo converting several chances. They looked a bit shaky in
defence against Austria but should have enough quality at the back to get them through
against Romania.
Prediction: Romania 0-2 Netherlands
Austria vs Turkey (20:00 – Tuesday 2)
Austria have certainly surprised me the most this tournament as they topped Group D which
included the likes of France, Netherlands and Poland. They put up a strong fight against
France and only lost 1-0 before winning 3-1 against Poland. They then deservedly won 3-2
against Netherlands having held off their comeback. They are a team full of determination
which has seen them enjoy possession in most of their games.
Similarly, Turkey have enjoyed a steady campaign, as they won two of their group games. A
3-1 victory over Georgia doesn’t quite tell the story with their opponents giving them a good
go. They lost 3-0 against Portugal before battling out a 2-1 victory over Czech Republic.
This is probably the hardest fixture to predict out of the Round of 16 ties – I can see either
team going through.
Prediction: Austria 2-1 Turkey (After Extra-Time)