Euro 2016 is flying along now. We’re already through the last 16 with some of the best displays of football you’ll see (Hungary and Portugal’s 3-3 draw) and also the worst (120 minutes, one shot on target – Croatia and Portugal, hang all of your heads).
But the last 16 finishes up tonight with the most mouthwatering game since Cooking Mama. Italy and Spain go head to head in Saint Denis before we get a nice frozen dessert from Iceland as they take on one of the two home nations left in the tournament, England.
As always, Paddy’s picked out a goalscoring double which comes in at odds of 7/1
Alvaro Morata – Italy vs Spain – 5pm
. We’re not even going to try to predict who’s going to win this one.
It’s the most mouthwatering game since Cooking Mama as Spain and Italy go head to head in Saint Denis. While the Italians have been rock solid defensively, apart from against Ireland of course, Spain have been better going forward, mainly thanks to their frontman Alvaro Morata.
The young Real Madrid star spent the season on loan at Juventus and netted past Italian defences throughout the season. He played alongside the man he’ll likely be marking in Leonardo Bonucci and will know his way around the back four.
Add to that the fact that nine of Spain’s ‘goalscoring oppurtunities’ have come via Morata (including the three he’s already netted) and we’re plumping for the top scorer to continue his form at
Danny Sturridge – England vs Iceland – 8pm
We couldn’t believe it either. England had been utterly terrible against Slovakia, finished second and still managed to avoid Portugal in the last 16. Of course, that was thanks to a last minute winner for Iceland against Austria which saw an Icelandic commentator make a special noise, but still. Everyone’s second favourite team became the ‘reward’ for Roy Hodgson’s side.
Harry Kane hasn’t been able to repeat his goalscoring form of the last two season Jamie Vardy’s party has been pooped somewhat. So the pressure is on the shoulders of Danny Sturridge to find the back of the net. Which is something he’s already done at the tournament as the Welsh are aware.
Sturridge has looked good so far this summer and has managed to not break a bone or tear a muscle! He’s had an 84% pass accuracy, is averaging more shots per game than any other English player (3.5 per game) and is getting into the positions. 11 shots off target was very wasteful for England last time. We don’t think they’ll make the same mistake. Sturridge is