* KNOCKOUT STAGE * EURO 2020 * 2021 *

Wales vs Denmark

Italy vs Austria

Netherlands vs Czech Republic

Belgium vs Portugal

Croatia vs Spain

France vs Switzerland

England vs Germany

Sweden vs Ukraine

Better team for each match-up is in BOLD. This does not mean they would automatically win and cover the spread (in 90 minutes)

Do the bold words mean your final decisions ?

Denmark -½ -120, Denmark is head and shoulder better than Wales. There is a chance the game could ended as a tie after 90 minutes but I think the potent Denmark offense will come through.

No, they are the better team but that does not mean they will cover the spread.

Italy vs Austria, I don't see how Austria can hang with Italy for 90 minutes. Taking Italy -1 is like getting free money. I don't believe in free money so PASS.

Do you like the OVER 2½ Italy game? 

Why not just play Italy to advance if you feel that strongly about them?

This game is more likely to go under than over. I don't think Austria can score against Italy.

Unfortunately, my (local) books do not offer this. I would take Italy to advance if your book has it.

@melossinglet

Italy /Austria Under 2 and 2½ -120

best of luck Brother 

Sweep your board 

Thanks brother, good luck with the tournament

Italy scored just few minutes into EXTRA time, LOL

@import

Any leans for tomorrow games?

Sorry, I was out after the game. Family is having a party.

I am leaning Czech and Portugal but not placing the bets yet. I will post my official play either tonight or early tomorrow - want to look at a few things.

@gambling-devil

 thoughts on under 2.5 in the Netherlands game??

@gambling-devil

 So by virtue of your initial post:

Wales vs Denmark

Italy vs Austria

Netherlands vs Czech Republic

Belgium vs Portugal

Croatia vs Spain

France vs Switzerland

England vs Germany

Sweden vs Ukraine

Why are you considering Czech & POR if they are not "the better team" in their matchups ?

Has some "X" factor come to your attention to sway away from those leans ?

Also, what insights can you give me about POR Ronaldo ? Is he as quick and sharp as ever or more like an anchor & guiding motivator for the team ?

I am leaning OVER and will probably playing OVER myself. I will post soon.

@LANDSHARK1

I want to clarify one point, when I rank a team as better for a particular knockout game, the ranking is based on public perception (including mine) after the group stage. I use that as the base prior to my actual game match-up and picking side. I do not use it to influence my final pick.

As I have stated on the original post, they might be the better team but that does not mean they will cover the spread. Take Italy for example, they are the heavy favorite and they ended up advance to the next round but they did not cover yesterday. For this match up alone, I looked at two things - how Italy play ball possessions, creating chance against how Austria would play defense and counter. I predicted Italy would either win 1-0 or the game would tie at the end of 90 minutes but did not play the draw - it is not my style to play the draw. Whenever I see the game could ended up with a draw, I would side with the dog.