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Netherlands v Czech Republic: Netherlands To Win To Nil
The Netherlands are one of three teams to win all three games at the Euros so far, but that statistic must be taken with a pinch of salt. Frank De Boer’s side found themselves in by far the weakest group at the tournament, coming up against a flakey Ukraine outfit, a North Macedonia side who beat Kosovo and Georgia to qualify, and an extremely limited Austria.
They have not yet been tested at the championships and could be handed a stern examination by the Czech Republic, who were reasonably solid in their three group games. However, the Czechs have struggled in front of goal at the tournament, managing just one shot on target against both England and Croatia. Their three goals – all scored by Patrik Schick – have essentially come from nowhere.
Schick’s goal of the tournament against the Scots was a one-in-a-million effort, while his precise header against the same opposition also came out of the blue. Meanwhile, his goal against Croatia came from an incredibly dubious penalty.
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Sunday 17:00 – Netherlands v Czech Republic
ITV / RTÉ Two
The Czechs are undoubtedly short in front of goal and could struggle against a Dutch outfit that has kept clean sheets in their last two games.
The Netherlands have only conceded two goals at the tournament, and they both came in a bizarre five-minute spell against Ukraine in a contest that they otherwise bossed. They may not have been tested thus far, but they find themselves on the kinder side of the draw and will be eyeing a run to the semi-finals at the very least.
That is some change for a side who had not won a game at the Euros since 2008 before the start of this summer’s tournament. They can book their place in the last eight with a routine win and a clean sheet over the Czech Republic.
Belgium v Portugal: Romelu Lukaku To Score Anytime & Belgium To Win
Defending champions Portugal have qualified for the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams for the second Euros in succession, but the prospects of them repeating their heroics of 2016 and retaining the Henri Delauney Trophy are slim.
Portugal were fortunate to find themselves on the “easier” side of the draw in 2016, beating Croatia, Poland, and Wales en-route to the final. They will probably have to beat Belgium, Italy, and France if they want to repeat the trick five years later.
They will find it difficult to progress past a Belgian side that is ranked number one in the world and is one of only three teams to win all three group games at this year’s competition.
This feels like one of the last opportunities for Belgium’s golden generation to finally land silverware and it appears as though Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are on a two-man mission to secure the nation’s first-ever major trophy
Sunday 20:00 – Belgium v Portugal
ITV / RTÉ Two
Lukaku has been utterly transformed since swapping Old Trafford for the San Siro in 2019 and is now ready to perform when it matters most on the international stage.
All but one of Lukaku’s 10 goals at major tournaments have come in the group stages against ostensibly weaker teams (yes, we’re including Ireland in there) and his apparent failures to perform in big games has been a criticism of Lukaku in the past. However, Lukaku has scored eight goals against the current top five in Italy since swapping Manchester for Inter Milan and proved pivotal in their first title-winning campaign since 2010.
He can prove equally as important on Sunday night against a Portugal team that was largely underwhelming during their three group games. This is an opportunity for the big Belgian to prove himself when it matters most on the international stage and he can fire his country’s golden generation one step closer to a major trophy in Seville.
Sunday tips summary:
Netherlands v Czech Republic: Netherlands To Win To Nil
Belgium v Portugal: Romelu Lukaku To Score Anytime & Belgium To Win
* A double on these two best bets pays at approximately 8/1 with Paddy Power.
READ MORE ON EURO 2020
- Football tips: Phil Thompson’s 25/1 flutter for huge Belgium v Portugal clash
- Football tips: Netherlands v Czech Republic Euro 2020 best bets from Phil Thompson
- Football tips: Tap in our 22/1 Bet Builder for Netherlands v Czech Republic
- Football tips: A 25/1 Bet Builder using Andy Robson’s Belgium v Portugal cheat sheet
- Football tips: Paddy trader’s NAP for England v Germany Euro 2020 clash
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