England v Italy tips: Thommo and Paddy trader’s 4 picks for Sunday’s Euro 2020 final

Forget Italy v England, what about Paddy ambassador Phil Thompson v Paddy trader Jason Murphy?

By / Euros, Football Tips / 3 years ago

* 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.

Phil Thompson, the Paddy Power ambassador and Liverpool legend, has once again locked horns with our top football trader Jason Murphy. The deadly duo run the rule over England’s huge Euro 2020 final clash with Italy at Wembley on Sunday night.

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While the 42-capped Three Lions defender Thompson and proud Irishman Murphy will be hoping for differing outcomes, they both think this one’s going the same way inside the 90 minutes. Complete with singing, colours firmly nailed to the mast and a few tasty tips, here’s the lads with their big preview for this summer’s biggest game.

Euro 2020 Final, Sunday 9pm: Italy v England

Phil Thompson

It’s a home game… ‘It’s coming home, it’s coming home, it’s coming, football’s coming home!’ Listen, my voice is not that good. I was singing a little bit after the Denmark game. To me, watching this England team playing, they have got better. With each game, you’re looking at Harry Kane, besides his goal against Denmark, I thought his performance was excellent. There’s players there who are coming on really strong, so this bodes very well [for England].

I’m not saying Italy are not a good side but what I’m looking at for this game, I loved the Italy v Spain semi final, I thought it was the game of the tournament. It was wonderful, but there was a big thing about it.

That was, as the game wore on to the 90 minutes, more particularly in the extra time, Italy were out on their legs. They were absolutely shattered. The fitness levels, between the Spanish lads who kept the ball for fun, and the Italians [were miles apart]. I thought the Italians would have taken the game to Spain. It was a wonderful game but it was that part of the game that I’m looking at. With these two sides, defensively they are so solid.

Sunday 8pm, Euro 2020 Final: Italy v England
BBC One, ITV and RTÉ2

They have the old Italy in them with Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci – they are so strong at the back they just want to defend, but England have got a great defence as well. I just think this game will go to extra time and end with a Draw after 90, I really do. I just think England will have that bit more. I do believe England have a better bench and that is going to count for so much later in the game as it does go on. It’s going to be massive.

The other thing is, the first goal is going to be so important. I think if England get it it will be hard for the Italians. If Italy get it, it will be hard for England. I’m not seeing a shedload of goals in this, I’m really not. I think it’s going to be very, very tight.

I think Harry Kane will score first. His performance against Denmark, he was unbelievable. His pass through to Bukayo Saka, which created the own goal, was just superb. He just seems to be getting better with every game. He seems to be getting fitter, I don’t know why. But Harry Kane, for me, will be on the scoresheet.

Jason Murphy

I’m not as good a singer as Phil, or Pavarotti, so I’m not going to sing for the Italians. It’s not a coincidence that I’m wearing this [blue] shirt. I’m really hoping that, for several reasons, Italy win this. I’m delighted for England, it’s great to see them celebrating and they’ve had great summer, they’ve had a great tournament.

But we’d like to see the Harry Maguire Love Train come to a halt one stop too short of the station. Listen, it’s great to see Phil in great form, it’s great to see the scenes taking place at Wembley and they key factor for this match is that the scenes are taking place at Wembley.

That home advantage can not be underestimated. When you think there was meant to be a game in Dublin in the last 16 and that would have been England v Germany. England went off favourites for that game, purely because it was at Wembley, and I think it told, particularly in the second half, the last 20 minutes, that English support made all the difference.

When it comes to Sunday, hopefully Phil isn’t singing, but that crowd at Wembley can make all the difference. That’s why England will go off as favourites. I think the prices are right for this game. Italy are the better team and the Paddy Power punters are smart, since the tournament has started we’ve seen more bets on Italy. Italy are actually a bigger loser for us in the outright books than England are.

Paddy decided to do this big special on the eve of the tournament, we [the traders] told him it was a crazy price, and we went England at 8/1 to Win outright. It was a great bet that a lot of customers took up before the start of the tournament. It’s not a great result for us whoever wins it!

Personally, I’d like to see Italy do it but I wish England well in the final. If you’re having a bet the prices are right. Thommo’s saying it’s going to be tight and he’s right, you don’t see many goals in the final. I’d definitely, strongly, advise looking at The Draw and looking at the Under 2.5 Goals as well. If you’re looking at the goal scorer or shots market Harry Kane is the man to go with. I’d never put anyone off backing him.

The only problem, and I’ve seen this comment during the week, that England fans are learning what Spurs fans have put up with all season and what you really want is Harry Kane to be assisting Harry Kane because he was just phenomenal for both goals against Denmark! So, have a look at The Draw, have a look at Harry Kane to Score Anytime markets and have a look at him in the shots markets and Phil, maybe have a look at some singing lessons for Sunday!

Tips for Euro 2020 final

Phil Thompson
The Draw
Harry Kane to Score First

Jason Murphy
The Draw
Harry Kane to Score Anytime

* 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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