WE’VE ALREADY WITNESSED England struggle to break down their opponents in the group stages, with Russia, Wales and Slovakia happy to sit back and soak up England’s attacks.
Roy Hodgson’s side will be under massive pressure against an Icelandic side who have already demonstrated that what they may lack in skill, more than make up for in determination, nerve and perseverance.
The first-time entrants have already drawn with Portugal and Hungary and have beaten a hotly-tipped Austrian side, and will do everything they can to make England’s life as difficult as possible on Monday night in Nice. Just ask Cristiano Ronaldo.
Nick Potts
Nick Potts
2. Wales and Poland to go through in 90 mins (11/2)
Poland have come through a tricky looking group containing world champions Germany, Ukraine and Northern Ireland without star man Robert Lewandowski hitting top form.
They will face a well-organised, but ordinary Swiss side that will be have a defensive mindset which will let Poland dictate the tempo of the game. But as they’ve proved so far, Poland are much more than a one-man team and should have more quality than their opponents.
Wales too face a similar task when they face Northern Ireland, also on Saturday.
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Both sides are highly committed to their nation’s cause but the Welsh pose more of a threat in the final third, with Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen finally clicking against Russia. They may prove too much for Michael O’Neill’s side.
Martin Rickett
Martin Rickett
3. Spain to win Euro 2016 and Alvaro Morata to be top goalscorer (12/1)
Defeat for Spain against Croatia has not just hampered their confidence but has severely dented their chances of winning the competition – but it’s important to take into consideration that their loss to Croatia was their first defeat in the competition in 12 years.
The reigning champions are still formidable opposition and are perhaps the team that every other side fears the most – but they face a significant challenge to reach the final, firstly, having to get past Italy and then a possible meeting with Germany in the quarter-finals.
Should Spain win the tournament, Alvaro Morata will have to add to the three goals he already has, which has him as the competition’s top goalscorer – the joint most along with Gareth Bale.
Write off the Spanish at your peril.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
4. Luka Modric to be Player of the Tournament (20/1)
It’s a simple premise, but the further a team goes in a competition, the greater chance a player has to shine.
Although Croatia face a tricky last 16 tie against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, they are on the so-called easier side of the draw, with Poland or Switzerland being potential quarter-final opponents, and with that Luka Modric could have at least a couple of more chances to show once again how supremely talented he is.
The architect to many of Croatia’s attacks, the Real Madrid midfielder will be pivotal if Croatia are to go deeper in the tournament and he has already scored one sensational goal against Turkey. With the enticing odds on offer he may be worth a punt.
Francois Mori
Francois Mori
5. France 0-1 Ireland (17/1)
We can dream, can’t we?
Geert Vanden Wijngaert
Geert Vanden Wijngaert
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Modric to be Player of the Tournament and other bets to consider ahead of the round of 16
1. England and Iceland to draw in 90 mins (3/1)
WE’VE ALREADY WITNESSED England struggle to break down their opponents in the group stages, with Russia, Wales and Slovakia happy to sit back and soak up England’s attacks.
Roy Hodgson’s side will be under massive pressure against an Icelandic side who have already demonstrated that what they may lack in skill, more than make up for in determination, nerve and perseverance.
The first-time entrants have already drawn with Portugal and Hungary and have beaten a hotly-tipped Austrian side, and will do everything they can to make England’s life as difficult as possible on Monday night in Nice. Just ask Cristiano Ronaldo.
2. Wales and Poland to go through in 90 mins (11/2)
Poland have come through a tricky looking group containing world champions Germany, Ukraine and Northern Ireland without star man Robert Lewandowski hitting top form.
They will face a well-organised, but ordinary Swiss side that will be have a defensive mindset which will let Poland dictate the tempo of the game. But as they’ve proved so far, Poland are much more than a one-man team and should have more quality than their opponents.
Wales too face a similar task when they face Northern Ireland, also on Saturday.
Both sides are highly committed to their nation’s cause but the Welsh pose more of a threat in the final third, with Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen finally clicking against Russia. They may prove too much for Michael O’Neill’s side.
3. Spain to win Euro 2016 and Alvaro Morata to be top goalscorer (12/1)
Defeat for Spain against Croatia has not just hampered their confidence but has severely dented their chances of winning the competition – but it’s important to take into consideration that their loss to Croatia was their first defeat in the competition in 12 years.
The reigning champions are still formidable opposition and are perhaps the team that every other side fears the most – but they face a significant challenge to reach the final, firstly, having to get past Italy and then a possible meeting with Germany in the quarter-finals.
Should Spain win the tournament, Alvaro Morata will have to add to the three goals he already has, which has him as the competition’s top goalscorer – the joint most along with Gareth Bale.
Write off the Spanish at your peril.
4. Luka Modric to be Player of the Tournament (20/1)
It’s a simple premise, but the further a team goes in a competition, the greater chance a player has to shine.
Although Croatia face a tricky last 16 tie against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, they are on the so-called easier side of the draw, with Poland or Switzerland being potential quarter-final opponents, and with that Luka Modric could have at least a couple of more chances to show once again how supremely talented he is.
The architect to many of Croatia’s attacks, the Real Madrid midfielder will be pivotal if Croatia are to go deeper in the tournament and he has already scored one sensational goal against Turkey. With the enticing odds on offer he may be worth a punt.
5. France 0-1 Ireland (17/1)
We can dream, can’t we?
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‘We’d like a strong referee against France, which I’m sure we’ll have’
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