Euro 2020 tips: Paddy trader’s best bets for Friday’s quarter-finals

Paddy's football trader Emmet O'Keeffe guides you through Friday's action at Euro 2020.

* 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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Friday 5pm: Switzerland v Spain

I think we can expect a tight encounter here. I just feel Switzerland’s price is just too big. It is similar to what Croatia’s would have been when they played Spain and I think Switzerland are a far better team than Croatia.

Croatia had one of the worst expected goal differences of any team in the tournament whereas I think Switzerland have proved over a long period of time that they are solid opposition. What we’ve seen with Switzerland is that they get far more out of their players than we see for their clubs.

Friday 5pm: Switzerland v Spain
ITV and ITV Hub

An example of that would be Granit Xhaka who gave one of the performances of his career against France and Xherdan Shaqiri regularly outperforms compared to the player we see in the Premier League.

I think Spain may overcome them but it may take extra time. So, Switzerland to avoid defeat is what I like here. That’s Switzerland Win or Draw double chance.

Friday 8pm: Belgium v Italy

Hopefully we get a better game than the Portugal v Belgium game, but I think we will. Portugal were one of the most negative teams in the tournament whereas I think Italy, under Roberto Mancini, have played some superb football throughout.

I was taken by their performance against Austria where their opponents had the better of the game for long periods and, if a couple of tight VAR decisions had gone their way, Austria could have won the match.

Friday 8pm: Belgium v Italy
BBC One and BBC iPlayer

I do think Italy could struggle for athleticism in midfield. I think between Axel Witsel and Youri Tielemans, Belgium have one of the best midfield duos in the tournament. Even though Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are absent, I think Belgium will be very competitive here.

Yannick Carrasco will come in for Hazard and he had a very good end of season with Atletico Madrid. I think he is an excellent player. The bar has probably moved a little too far Italy’s way and at Belgium’s current price to win I think they represent a little bit of value.

Emmet’s Friday Euros tips

5pm: Switzerland v Spain: Switzerland to Win or Draw Double Chance
8pm: Belgium v Italy: Belgium to Win

These two selections in a double will give you odds of around 6/1 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.

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