The final set of group games comes at us on Wednesday as Groups E and F reach their conclusion. Group F – in particular – is in a fascinating position, with all four countries (even Hungary) still able to advance should results fall their way. Group E is interesting too, with Spain needing a performance to guarantee progression after a pair of lacklustre draws to begin the tournament.
Here is a look at the four games in Matchday 13:
Slovakia vs. Spain – La Cartuja, Seville (Spain)
This is a huge night for Spain. They have fallen into a weird pattern of drawing games – they have done so in six of their last 10 matches despite taking the lead in five of those games – and a draw here could see them eliminated at the first hurdle should Poland beat Sweden in the other Group E tie to be played on Wednesday.
Spain might not win games – much of this blame can be placed on strikers Alvaro Morata and Gerard Moreno who have missed some sitters – but they must fancy their chances on home soil against a Slovakia side that has had just two shots on target so far this tournament. Spain is the obvious choice and offers zero value, so take a look at the goal total under 2.5 at 1.27 with BetXChange.
Sweden vs. Poland – Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg (Russia)
Interesting one this as group leaders Sweden will go through with any result here – a defeat would leave them on four points and able to qualify as a best third-placed team at worst – while a win for the Poles would be enough to see them through to the knockout phase too.
Poland is a better team than they have shown – some of the defending in their opening defeat by Slovakia was woeful – and in Robert Lewandowski, they have a striker as good as any in the tournament. I like them to win this as a desperate side in need of a win and would back them at 1.61 with BetXChange.
Portugal vs. France – Puskas Arena, Budapest (Hungary)
This should be a cracking contest. France has qualified for the knockouts but would love to remove one of the other contenders at the pool stage by taking care of Portugal here. The Iberians struggled to break down a stubborn Hungary side and then had 15 minutes against Germany where their defensive discipline fell apart, but it would be foolish to count out a side with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and a host of other top stars.
Germany vs. Hungary – Allianz Arena, Munich (Germany)
Given the Group of Death as their reward for qualification, many expected Hungary to fall out of Euro 2020 with zero points and a goal differential in the high negative figures. Instead, the Hungarians have proven to be a tough nut to break down and for a time on the last matchday, they had the French sweating buckets as they eyed an improbable win.
The worry is that they have expended all their energy in their defensive efforts against France and Portugal and that this is a team there for the taking by the German machine. I fancy the German strikers to be on form and a result such as 3-0 (5.51) or 4-0 (8.01) shouldn’t be seen as a shock.
