* 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
2pm: Ukraine v North Macedonia – Ukraine (-1)
North Macedonia will not be the whipping boys that many people expect them to be, but they probably missed out on their only chance of picking up points at their first-ever major tournament in their defeat to Austria. It is difficult to see them taking anything in their remaining two games against Ukraine or the Netherlands, who both looked a class above Austria in their five-goal thriller on Sunday night.
A win for Ukraine on Thursday would snap a six-game losing streak at the Euros stretching back to Euro 2012 when they beat Sweden in a group opener. More importantly, however, a win would leave Andriy Shevchenko’s side on the cusp of qualification for the Last 16.
In Euro 2016, Portugal and Northern Ireland both qualified for the second round as two of the best third-placed teams. Both finished with just three points and avoided finishing with a negative goal difference.
There is every chance that such a finish will be good enough at Euro 2020 and a comprehensive victory for Shevchenko’s side would leave them within touching distance of the knockouts ahead of their final group game against Austria.
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5pm: Denmark v Belgium – Belgium to win and Romelu Lukaku to score anytime
It will be difficult for Denmark to pick themselves up from the horrifying events at the Parken Stadium on Saturday evening, especially against a rampant Belgium outfit. The Danes looked shellshocked in the second half against Finland and now must take on one of the tournament favourites.
Romelu Lukaku looks an excellent bet to finish as the tournament’s top goalscorer and took both of his goals against Russia with great aplomb on Saturday night and will look to retake the lead in the top scorer standings on Thursday.
This is the exact type of opponent that the Inter Milan striker does best against. Lukaku has scored nine goals in major international tournaments, with just one goal coming beyond the group stages.
His nine tournament goals have come against the USA, Ireland, Tunisia, Panama, and Russia, so it stands to reason that he will find the back of the net against the Danes.
8pm: Netherlands v Austria – Netherlands to win
The Netherlands came very close to throwing away a comfortable win on Saturday night in a game that they dominated for almost 90 minutes. However, they collected a deserved three points and made a statement of intent in a thrilling display of attacking football.
The Dutch were somewhat unfancied coming into the tournament due to the absence of Virgil Van Dijk at the back and the presence of Frank De Boer in the dugout, but they were excellent against Ukraine in Amsterdam. There are a few chinks that need to be ironed out – namely their efficiency in front of goal and their fragility at the back – but Holland are only going to get better as the tournament goes on.
They should have no problems against an underwhelming Austria side that toiled for the majority of their opener against North Macedonia.
The Austrians will do well to pick up any further points in the group stages and will hope the three points they earned in Bucharest was enough to see them through as one of the best third-placed teams.
THURSDAY’S EURO 2020 TREBLE
2pm: Ukraine v North Macedonia – Ukraine (-1)
5pm: Denmark v Belgium – Belgium to win and Romelu Lukaku to score anytime
8pm: Netherlands v Austria – Netherlands to win
The above 3 selections in a Paddy Power treble pays out at around 11/1
* 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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