Belgium vs Russia
- When: Thursday, March 21
- Wannamakeabet.com Odds: Belgium -321 / Russia +832 / DRAW 234
Belgium is a different team than the one that made it to the World Cup Semifinals in 2018. They are still one of the top teams in Europe. And they won 5 of their last 7 matches. Although Romelu Lukaku is likely to sit this one out, Michy Batshuyai should easily pick up the slack.
He scored 4 goals in the last 6 Belgium matches. Even though Switzerland dominated Belgium in the UEFA Nations League in their last match, with Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens helping Batshuyai, they should easily handle Russia. Take Belgium minus the pretty hefty number.
Soccer Betting Prediction: Belgium 2, Russia 1
England vs Czech Republic
- When: Friday, March 22
- Soccer Odds: England -324 / Czech Republic +1016 / Draw 413
Huge mismatch here as the Czech Republic appear to be way overmatched. England will be at close to full strength: Deli Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Marcus Rashford are all ready to roll. And if that isn’t enough, Gareth Southgate won’t allow the English to fall backward in their first Euro 2020 Qualifying match.
The Czech Republic will fight hard, but it’s impossible to keep this English team from knocking in goals. Kane, Rashford, and Sterling could all score. Play the favored English even though they may have to win ugly.
Soccer Betting Prediction: England 3, Czech Republic 1
Portugal vs Ukraine
- When: Friday, March 22
- Soccer Odds: Portugal -236 / Ukraine +753
Defending Euro Champion Portugal starts their quest for a repeat by battling Ukraine on Friday. The Portuguese should benefit from Ronaldo’s return. And Ronaldo dominated Atletico Madrid in the second leg of Juventus’ victory in the Round of 16 Champions League last week.
He’ll have no trouble dominating the Ukraine on Friday. Here’s another match where taking the favored team on the handicap should yield much better results than backing them to win on the moneyline. Portugal rolls to an easy 3 goal win.
Soccer Betting Prediction: Portugal 3, Ukraine 0
Italy vs Finland
- When: Saturday, March 23
- Soccer Odds: Italy -338 / Finland +858
This is a tough match to handicap simply because Italy doesn’t play as forward as many might expect. The Italians missed out qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. So they badly want to get back in to global play and qualify for Euro 2020. However, Roberto Mancini prefers to play a defensive style that revolves around ball control and only being aggressive when an opportunity arises.
That could keep Finland in this match well into the late part of it. In fact, if the Italians run out to a 1-0 lead, they’ll most likely play keep away the rest of the match and only go for another goal if Finland over plays an offensive push.
Italy wins but it won’t be pretty or exciting.
Soccer Betting Prediction: Italy 1, Finland 0
Simon Collins is a senior soccer analyst for Wannamakeabet.com. Stay tuned to our soccer blog throughout Euro 2020.