*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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Paddy’s football ambassador and 42-capped former England defender Phil Thompson has been studying his wallchart ahead of Euro 2020 to bring you some tasty tips ahead of Friday’s kick off. He’s picked an outright winner and top scorer double, as well as looking at the possibilities for Wales, England and Scotland’s opening games.
There’s also a nice acca-insured Group Stage 4-fold featuring Wales, Belgium, Croatia and France which could prove profitable ahead of the knockouts.
THOMMO’S OUTRIGHT DOUBLE
Belgium’s golden generation have been knocking on the door of a major title win for a few years now and I can see them make another strong showing here – even if they’re managed by an Evertonian in Roberto Martinez! They should have a straightforward route to the quarters with a squad full of top-class players from across Europe’s biggest leagues, and in Kevin De Bruyne they have a gifted playmaker to unlock tougher opponents’ defences in latter stages. And when he does, someone will have to be there to finish those chances.
Another ex-Bluenose, Romelu Lukaku, is coming into the tournament having led Inter Milan to the Serie A title with a bagful of goals and assists. He’ll be full of confidence and leading the Belgians’ charge for Euro glory and looks a good bet for top scorer.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see them face England in the final, which could be a cracking game. I’ll be cheering for England, but at the prices, I’d take a value punt on Paddy’s pairing of Belgium to win and Lukaku as top scorer.
HOME NATIONS TREBLE
Saturday June 12, 2pm: Wales v Switzerland – BTTS
Neither side has the benefit of home advantage here and both will be keen to avoid defeat to open the tournament, but I can see goals because of the attacking talent on both sides. Wales will rely on Gareth Bale to lead the line, while the Swiss have Xherdan Shaqiri and Breel Embolo to pose problems. I think Both Teams Will Score here.
Sunday June 13, 2pm: England v Croatia – England to Win
A day later England make their bow against the side that knocked them out of Russia 2018 in the semi-finals, Croatia. Luka Modric is still the main man for them, but they haven’t lived up to their World Cup reputation since then, especially away from home. England are at Wembley and that could make the difference. I expect England to Win.
Monday June 14, 2pm: Scotland v Czech Republic – The Draw
Scotland gets to host a first-ever major tournament game the following day and the Tartan Army will be hoping to get off to a positive start against the Czech Republic. The Scots beat them home and away in the Nations League last year, so that should give them some encouragement, though I can see this being a cagey, tense affair ending in a Draw.
- The above 3 bets clock in at around 9/1 in a Paddy Power treble
GROUP STAGE ACCA
To Qualify From Group A – Wales
Wales haven’t been dealt the easiest hand in Group A as they face Italy, Switzerland and Turkey, and they’re also playing under a caretaker manager in Robert Page, but they have experience of upsetting the odds in France 2016. With Gareth Bale showing signs of returning form, Wales are worth backing to qualify from Group A.
The Belgians take on Finland in Group B, who are in their first major finals, Russia, who’ll struggle to repeat their World Cup performance, and Denmark, who play in Copenhagen, but they won’t get the better of De Bruyne & Co. Expect Belgium to Win Group B.
England face a few familiar foes in Group D, with Scotland looking to crash any premature celebrations. It’s another regular adversary, Croatia, who caught my eye. They should have enough quality to rise above the Czechs and Scots and I think Croatia will finish as runner up in Group D.
While you should never write off the Germans, they look too short to win Group F, especially when you see they’ve been matched with both France and Portugal. They’ve also had some surprising results recently and don’t look the force they were. I think this group is between the other two heavyweights and would side with the French to Win Group F.
* Thommo’s acca-insured 4-fold pays at around 20/1 with Paddy Power.
ACCA INSURANCE
If one leg of your 4+ fold Acca lets you down, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Acca Insurance per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.
Thommo’s Euros tips
Thommo’s Outright Double: Belgium to Win Euro 2020 and Romelu Lukaku to Win the Golden Boot
Home Nations Acca: BTTS in Wales v Switzerland, England to beat Croatia and The Draw in Scotland v Czech Republic
Group Stage Acca: Wales to qualify from Group A, Belgium to Win Group B, Croatia to finish 2nd in Group D and France to Win Group F.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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