* 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.
Here we are then, about halfway through the Euros and if you don’t think Italy are going to win it, then you’re listening too much Lightning Seeds. But other teams also participate in this tournament and it’s Saturday’s action we turn to now in order to see some big names in action.
And before you start accusing me of talking rubbish, my only tipping piece for the Euros thus far actually landed an 8/1 winner, so give me a few minutes before I’m slated.
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While there’s no like-for-like replacement of a Saturday afternoon for the Premier League – even taking into consideration that they’ve moved all the decent games to almost every other day in the weekend – a triple-header featuring Spain, Portugal, France and Germany suffices.
And the only thing better than a day full of swashbuckling, continental action between conflicting nations over a spherical piece of leather is exactly that, but with profit, so you can have a well-earned brew that evening to reminisce on the day’s action over. And, if you’re me, a cheeky kebab filled with meat sourced from no identifiable location smothered in chilli and garlic sauces. But anyway, football! Here’s your Saturday treble.
2pm: France v Hungary: France to Win to Nil
TV: BBC One and BBC iPlayer/ RTE
There’s one major thing to note here – and that’s the way you saw France play in the opener won’t resemble the French side you see here, for better or worse. Their build-up in possession can be quite laboured but does resemble Real Madrid’s, which should play into Karim Benzema’s hands.
Their opening game, in that diamond, meant the players furthest forward were often Theo Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard. Now, it’ll be advanced midfielders trying to open up space and Kylian Mbappe dropping into pockets and shooting from range.
But, committing that many men forward is usually a problem. Unless, of course, you’ve got the quickest back four in international football. Clean sheet ahoy as France Win.
5pm: Portugal v Germany: Portugal to Win
TV: ITV and ITV Hub/ RTE
I know a lot of people really don’t fancy Portugal to do the business and their laboured efforts against Hungary hardly revitalise the non-believers, but in big moments, they always produce.
Cristiano Ronaldo is just three goals shy of the all-time record for international goals and he’ll continue to plough away, even if Germany are one of the nations he’s played against multiple times and not scored. They’ll just have too much for them, all told, as Portugal Win here.
8pm: Spain v Poland: Both Teams to Score
TV: BBC One and BBC iPlayer/ RTE
My favourite thing about big nations not getting an expected result in their opener is the recklessness they play with to counter the fact they did absolutely nothing in the first game. Spain can’t notch record possession totals again like they did against Sweden because Alvaro Morata exists.
They’ll have to force the issue, meaning Poland will grab chances to run at them when they lose possession at a livelier clip than they’re used to. Given that they’ve got the best striker in the world on-side, it’s not hard to envisage Both Teams Scoring here.
Saturday’s Euro acca
2pm: France v Hungary: France to Win to Nil
5pm: Portugal v Germany: Portugal to Win
8pm: Spain v Poland: Both Teams to Score
These three selections in a trable will give you odds of around 11/1 with Paddy Power.
* 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.
READ MORE ON EURO 2020
- How to get tickets to Paddy Parks for our summer Euros party
- Emmanuel Petit urges Mason Mount to deliver Chelsea-style performances for England
- N’Golo Kante branded ‘the heart and soul’ of the France team
- The 11 cities and stadiums hosting Euros fixtures
- Who will win the Euros? Our favourites and expert’s top tip
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