Best ways to bet quarterfinals

The Euro 2020 Championships have reached the quarterfinals, beginning with Friday’s match between Spain and Switzerland in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The Spaniards are -155 at BetMGM to win this match in regular time after netting 10 goals in their past two matches, and they will be a popular pick. Though Spain is scoring a lot, it is conceding plenty, as it allowed three goals against Croatia in the round of 16. “Yes” on the both teams to score prop will be a popular choice at -110.

I think Spain has enough quality to defeat a Swiss side that pulled off the shock of the tournament when it beat France in a penalty shoot-out. That match could have taken a toll on this Swiss team both physically and mentally, and it’s going to be a very tough ask for manager Vladimir Petkovic to get another shift out of his players so quickly. I like Spain to win this 3-1, which is available at a nice-looking +1250.

Friday’s other match in Munich on paper looks to be a classic between Italy and Belgium, but with the Belgians heading into this quarterfinal without injured main men Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, this might not live up to the hype.

Italy has been a very popular pick to win Euro 2020 and is +140 to reach the last four with a win in regular time, which has been a popular pick. Belgium is +220 for the win, but without De Bruyne and Hazard, I just can’t see how the team is going to manage to do that in regular time. I figure the Belgians will try to keep it very tight defensively, and this could go the distance.

The draw in 90 minutes has attracted some money at +210 and it really wouldn’t surprise to see that happen, but I want to bet against goals. Belgium has a reputation of scoring lots of goals and entertaining, but it will have to change that without its two most creative players. Surprisingly, four of its past six matches have cashed under 2.5 goals.

We know how strong the Italians are defensively. They haven’t conceded a goal in regular time in their past 12 matches. Under 2.5 is the way to go in this massive quarterfinal at -175, with a little bit of pizza money also on no goal-scorer in the match at +525.

Goals will be tough to come by on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan, as well, when Denmark faces the Czech Republic.

Denmark has played its past two matches at a very high tempo and was on the front foot from the first whistle, scoring four goals in beating Russia and Wales by a combined 8-1. I would expect the Danes to continue that high intensity against the Czechs, who I’m not convinced about despite their 2-0 win over the Netherlands.

The Danes are +110 to win this in regular time. If the match were being played in Copenhagen, that would be a wager I would like, because I do feel that the Danes have enough quality. But they have some injury concerns, and that is putting me off taking the current price. This is an unexpected semifinal opportunity for both of these nations, and I am expecting it to be a close and nervy match.

All of the Czechs’ matches at Euro 2020 have cashed on under 2.5 goals, and with the temperatures in Baku expected to be in the low 90s at kickoff, I like the Under 2.5 goals again. However, that’s offered at -190, which is not a price I’d suggest. Instead, I am happier to take Under 2 goals at +109 on the Asian goal markets, with the bet a push if their is exactly two goals scored.

The final quarterfinal sees an expectant England travel to Rome to face Ukraine. Following England’s 2-0 win over the arch nemesis Germany at Wembley on Tuesday, the Three Lions have been installed as the new 2/1 favorites to win Euro 2020.

Before we get carried away about England’s chances of lifting its first major trophy since 1966, it has to beat Ukraine first. I’m not at all surprised to see England listed as a very warm -250 favorite to win in 90 minutes.

Right after England’s win over Germany, Ukraine was involved in a brutal, long extra-time victory over Sweden. With the quick turnaround, it’ll be tough for the team to rise up again. Ukraine has shown its talent in patches in this tournament, but its performance against Austria in the last group match was a poor one, and I don’t think that England has anything to fear here.

The English have yet to show their full potential at these championships, which is a scary thought, but what has impressed me is the form of their defense and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

England has yet to allow a goal at Euro 2020 in four matches. I can’t see it conceding anything in Rome on Saturday, either, so instead of taking England at -250, I much prefer the even money on England to win nil. If that isn’t a market offered to you, I can see the Three Lions winning this 2-0 at 5/1.