* 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
I’ll tell you how much I love the Euros. I woke up this morning and threw a strop because there was no 2pm Euro 2020 kickoff – that’s how much I enjoy having three consecutive games of football on during the day, with the Copa America on at 10pm when I finish up.
My parents haven’t had correspondence from me in a week, my missus thinks something’s wrong because I’ve gone quiet for eight hours a day and I should probably pencil in a shower at some point. But today is not that day.
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Above all else, Tuesday signals the first meeting of two giants in the tournament and while you can argue the French have had some turbulence in their build-up, I do think it’s fair to say that they thrived in similar fashion at the World Cup. And now they’ve got Karim Benzema and, for my money, the worthy Balon d’Or winner in N’Golo Kante.
Portugal also line out today against Hungary. I hesitate to say it will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final major tournament because he’s more chiselled than the quadrants in Ancient Rome, but it’s worth taking the time to appreciate him one more time. And do you know the best bit about all of this? We can make a few quid en route, too. Here’s a two for Tuesday in the shape of a tasty double.
5pm: Hungary v Portugal: Portugal to Win to Nil
I really enjoy the process of people picking Portugal to win the Euros. They’re the same people who picked Belgium to win the World Cup last time out. Except Edden Hazard to Real Madrid hasn’t gone all that well, Marouane Fellaini isn’t even-present to provide a viable plan B and their kits aren’t quite as retro as the hipsters would like.
Tuesday 5pm: Hungary v Portugal
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So instead, they go for yet another smaller nation with similar colours, only to forget that they’ve got one of the best players to play the sport, the best host of midfielders in the tournament and they’re the bloody holders. But yeah, apart from that – they’ll hammer Hungary to Nil. Next.
8pm: France v Germany: France to Win to Nil
When you consider the French, it might be easy to have your head turn towards the frontmen in Antoine Griezmann – one of the only two players to net more than five times in a single European Championships, Kylian Mbappe – the best young player on the planet and Karim Benzema – one of the most consistent strikers of our generation.
Tuesday 8pm: France v Germany
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But to me, their strength lies in balance. They’ve got one of the fasted backlines in the world too and it isn’t aging. If they opt for Raphael Varane and Presnel Kimpembe, they’ll probably have more speed in central areas than Germany, forcing Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane to move in.
I feel like that entire central block will become quite crowded quite quickly and the Germans won’t be able to string a quickfire move together. For that reason, and the fact I think the best German assets on display move the ball slowly through midfield (Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Leon Goretzka), they’ll struggle to beat that back four and Kante in front of them. I think we’ll see Germany shut out as France Win to Nil.
Tips for Tuesday’s Euro 2020 games
5pm: Hungary v Portugal: Portugal to Win to Nil
8pm: France v Germany: France to Win to Nil
These two selections in a double will give you odds of around 8/1 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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