EURO 2016 ROUND OF 16 MATCH PREVIEWS – SATURDAY JUNE 25 – MONDAY JUNE 27

Switzerland v Poland – Saturday 1400

Tournament form:

Switzerland – 1-0, 1-1, 0-0 (2^nd in group)

Poland – 1-0, 0-0, 1-0 (2^nd in group)

·         In a tournament of tight matches, these two sides have each had three closely fought, attritional encounters. This match may well be settled by one goal either way, so getting in front will be crucial.

Wales v Northern Ireland – Saturday 1700

Tournament form:

Wales – 2-1, 1-2, 3-0 (1^st in group)

Northern Ireland – 0-1, 2-0, 0-1 (3^rd in group)

·         Northern Ireland have now gone 16 matches without conceding more than one goal, but Wales have more players who can produce individual moments to turn a match in their favour. Wales’ Gareth Bale is the tournament’s top scorer.

Croatia v Portugal – Saturday 2000

Tournament form:

Croatia – 1-0, 2-2, 2-1 (1^st in group)

Portugal – 1-1, 0-0, 3-3 (3^rd in group)

·         Portugal are the only team to make the last 16 without winning a match, while Croatia have done superbly well to top a group that included defending champions Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo found some form in the final group match, but unless he can produce more magic here, Croatia look to have the stronger team.

France v Ireland – Sunday 1400

Tournament form:

France – 2-1, 2-0, 0-0 (1^st in group)

Ireland – 1-1, 0-3, 1-0 (3^rd in group)

·         Ireland did terrifically well to beat Italy, even with the Azzurri resting key players, but France have looked good so far and more than the ‘luck of the Irish’ will be required to eliminate the host team.

Germany v Slovakia – Sunday 1700

Tournament form:

Germany – 2-0, 0-0, 1-0 (1^st in group)

Slovakia – 1-2, 2-1, 0-0 (3^rd in group)

·         The world champions are still to concede in the tournament. Germany also created 28 chances and had 71% possession in their last group match against Northern Ireland, and on another day would have scored a hatful. For all the defensive resilience Slovakia showed against England last time out, Germany have to be fancied here.

Hungary v Belgium – Sunday 2000

Tournament form:

Hungary – 2-0, 1-1, 3-3 (1^st in group)

Belgium – 0-2, 3-0, 1-0 (2^nd in group)

·         Possibly the round of 16 match that has the highest potential for goals. Hungary have been the surprise team of the tournament, while Belgium’s so-called golden generation are once again failing to convince, so Hungary might have enough to edge this one.

Italy v Spain – Monday 1700

Tournament form:

Italy – 2-0, 1-0, 0-1 (1^st in group)

Spain – 1-0, 3-0, 1-2 (2^nd in group)

·         Quite simply the outcome of this heavyweight clash is dependent on who performs better on the day. Italy’s defeat to Ireland is unlikely to have hit their confidence too much, given they fielded a second string side and had already won their group. The chances are that a penalty shoot-out will be required in at least one of the round of 16 matches – is this the most likely?

England v Iceland – Monday 2000

Tournament form:

England – 1-1, 2-1, 0-0 (2^nd in group)

Iceland – 1-1, 1-1, 2-1 (2^nd in group)

·         England have dominated chances and possession in all three matches so far, but have struggled to break teams down, with their only win coming via a stoppage time intervention. Iceland will surely line up with a massed defence and challenge England to break their resolve. However, England must be fancied – man-for-man they have a much better team on paper, and Iceland are the only team to have progressed without keeping at least one clean sheet.