Things are heating up in Germany as we are down to the final eight teams at Euro 2024. There are some absolute blockbuster fixtures upcoming this weekend, and Jack Tobin has you covered with his best bets. Check out his tips for each clash below and good luck to everyone following along!
UEFA Euro 2024 Quarter Finals Preview & Betting Tips
Spain vs Germany - Stuttgart, Saturday 6th July, 2:00am AEST
The two best teams of the tournament cruelly face off in the Quarter Finals, in what is set to be an absolute classic. Spain are the only team at the tournament with a perfect record, topping a stacked Group B with three wins followed by a 4-1 victory over Georgia in the Round of 16. The hosts booked their ticket to the Quarter Finals with a 2-0 win over Denmark, with it taking the Germans until the second half to break the game open.
After conceding an own goal in the 18th minute to fall behind Georgia, Spain absolutely obliterated the Georgians, recording 35 shots to 4 and 76% possession. Spain recorded a remarkable pass accuracy of 94%, and the midfield battle looms as the major factor in this fixture. Germany ranks 2nd at the tournament for possession (62%) and 1st in pass accuracy (92.2%), while Spain are ranked 4th for possession (58.5%) and 2nd for passing accuracy (91%).
This midfield excellence has allowed both sides to be two highest scoring teams at Euro 2024 with Germany (10 goals) and Spain (9). It’s tough to split these sides, however Germany being at home and their recent record against Spain gives them a slight advantage. Germany have a 4-3-1 head to head record from their last eight fixtures against Spain, including wins in the last two games at major tournaments between the two nations.
Portugal vs France - Hamburg, Saturday 6th July, 5:00am AEST
The second game on Saturday morning is another blockbuster with Portugal and France going head to head in Hamburg. France came into the tournament as one of the favourites after making the final of the 2022 World Cup and winning the 2018 World Cup. However their tendency to underperform at the Euros amidst a golden generation of talent and depth has shown once again. France opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over Austria, followed by draws against Netherlands and Poland, before scraping past Belgium 1-0 in the Round of 16.
Portugal have faltered after a strong start to the tournament, with a loss against Georgia in their final group game, before requiring penalties to defeat Slovenia in the Round of 16. Portugal dominated general play, winning the shot count 20-10 and having 73% possession, but couldn’t convert their chances. Both Portugal and France have struggled to convert chances, scoring 7 and 5 goals at the tournament respectively.
There’s no lack of talent for either France or Portugal so this clash will come down to who’s stars shine brightest and rise to the top under the pressure of a major tournament. Will it be Kylian Mbappe who has scored just one goal at the tournament? Or will it be Christiano Ronaldo who is still yet to score at Euro 2024? The last time France and Portugal faced off in a Euro clash was the Euro 2016 Final where Portugal upset the red hot favourites. France’s stars have shown an ability to get the job done in knockout games, and they’ll put an end to Portugal’s campaign.
England vs Switzerland - Dusseldorf, Sunday 7th July, 2:00am AEST
A late miracle from Jude Bellingham rescued England’s campaign from an embarrassing exit against Slovakia. The Real Madrid star’s bicycle kick in the 5th minute of stoppage time sent the game to extra time, where Harry Kane proceeded to score in the opening minute to give England the 2-1 victory. Switzerland come into the Quarter Finals on a high after upstaging reigning champions Italy in the Round of 16. Goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas either side of half time gave the Swiss a much deserved win.
Switzerland had shown solid form in the Group Stage to come out of Group A alongside of Germany, but the win over Italy was by far their strongest performance of the tournament and will give them confidence against an England outfit that has hardly looked threatening at the tournament. Despite boasting one the most talented squads at Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate has struggled with playing players out of their natural positions, which has seen the Euro 2021 Finalists struggle to play with any fluency. England have scored just four goals this campaign, and have looked like a shell of a side that went to the Final of Euro 2021.
One thing that you can trust with England is their defence, which has been outstanding this tournament. Gareth Southgate’s men have conceded only 2 goals from four games and have recorded 2 clean sheets. The defensive work has been a full team effort across the board with Jude Bellignham recording the most tackles for the tournament (16) while Marc Guehi lead balls recovered (37). England have won 5 consecutive games against Switzerland, and have a 4-1-0 record in their last 5 European Championship fixtures against the Swiss. England haven’t lost to Switzerland since 1981 and they’ll continue their strong record on Sunday.
England To Win In Normal Time
$2.15 (1.5 Units)
Netherlands vs Turkey - Berlin, Sunday 7th July, 5:00am AEST
The final game of the Quarter Finals sees Netherlands coming in as red hot favourites against Turkey. The Dutch squeezed through the group stage despite finishing third in Group D with four points, but absolutely dominated Romania with a 3-0 victory. Turkey upstaged Austria who finished above France and the Netherlands in the group stage, to advance to the Quarter Finals. Mehrih Demiral’s brace was enough to get Turkey over the line, despite Austria recording 21 shots to Turkey’s 6, and Turkey only recording 39% possession.
It’s been an up and down tournament for the Netherlands, but they’ve consistently shown their attacking quality across the tournament. The Dutch have scored 7 goals which is the third most at the tournament, with their only goalless game a 0-0 draw against France. Turkey have scored 7 goals like Netherlands, however they’ve conceded 6 goals which is the third most at Euro 2024. Tukey have only registered 50.3% possession across their campaign, ranked 14th which is the least of any team left in the tournament.
The last time these two teams faced off was in a World Cup Qualifier in 2021 where the Dutch annihilated Turkey 6-1, and although it may not be as extreme, this will be a one way game in favour of the Netherlands. Given the struggles Turkey have had in defence it’s difficult to see them keeping proceedings close, and if this game plays out like their clash against Austria did, they will be in a world of trouble against the quality of the Netherlands.
Netherlands -1
$2.60 (1.5 Units)
