EURO 2016 QUARTER-FINAL MATCH PREVIEWS – THURSDAY JUNE 30 – SUNDAY JULY 3

Poland v Portugal – Thursday 2000

Tournament form:

Poland: Group – 1-0 v Northern Ireland, 0-0 v Germany, 1-0 v Ukraine: Knockout – 1-1 v Switzerland (5-4 on pens)

Portugal: Group – 1-1 v Iceland, 0-0 v Austria, 3-3 v Hungary; Knockout - 1-0 (aet) v Croatia

Leading scorers:

Poland: Jakub Blaszczykowski 2, Portugal: Luis Almeida da Cunha 2, Cristiano Ronaldo 2

Typical tournament odds:

Poland 16-1, Portugal 7-1

·         Portugal are in to the last eight without having recorded a win inside 90 minutes. That said, Poland have also reached this stage with only three goals in four matches. Expect a tight match, which unless Portugal’s stars can shine, may go Poland’s way. You would expect Robert Lewandowski to score at some stage in the tournament – is this the day?

Wales v Belgium – Friday 2000

Tournament form:

Wales: Group – 2-1 v Slovakia, 1-2 v England, 3-0 v Russia; Knockout – 1-0 v Northern Ireland

Belgium: Group - 0-2 v Italy, 3-0 v Ireland, 1-0 v Sweden; Knockout – 4-0 v Hungary

·         Wales now carry the hopes of the home nations on their own shoulders. However, Belgium look to be improving all the time after a disappointing home match, and they played some superb football against Hungary last time out. If they can reproduce anything like that form, then not only are they favourites for this match, but also favourites to reach the final.

Leading scorers:

Wales: Gareth Bale 3, Belgium: Romelu Lukaku 2

Typical tournament odds:

Wales 25-1, Belgium 4-1

Germany v Italy – Saturday 2000

Tournament form:

Germany: Group – 2-0 v Ukraine, 0-0 v Poland, 1-0 v Northern Ireland; Knockout – 3-0 v Slovakia

Italy: Group – 2-0 v Belgium, 1-0 v Sweden, 0-1 v Ireland; Knockout – 2-0 v Spain

·         A match worthy of the final, but which is instead only a quarter final in the toughest half of the knockout draw. Germany are yet to concede, and Italy are also yet to concede in matches where they have played their first choice players. This suggests that, for all the quality forward players on display, this may not be a goal fest. But if Italy produce the performance they showed against Spain once again, even Germany could struggle.

Leading scorers:

Germany: Mario Gomez 2, Italy: Graziano Pelle 2

Typical tournament odds:

Germany 3-1, Italy 6-1

France v Iceland – Sunday 2000

Tournament form:

France: Group – 2-1 v Romania, 2-0 v Albania, 0-0 v Switzerland; Knockout – 2-1 v Ireland

Iceland: Group – 1-1 v Portugal, 1-1 v Hungary, 2-1 v Austria; Knockout – 2-1 v England

·         Iceland’s dream continues after surely their greatest ever international occasion when they beat England. Their tactics are likely to remain unchanged against France, with the hosts enjoying the lion’s share of possession as they seek to break down a massed defence. However, Antoine Griezmann and co are a clinical strike force, and this is likely to be the end of the adventure for Iceland.

Leading scorers:

France: Antoine Griezmann 3, Iceland: no player with more than 1

Typical tournament odds:

France 3-1, Iceland 40-1