The quarterfinals of Euro 2020 will conclude on Saturday in Rome, with surprising participants Ukraine facing tournament favorites England.
After England vanquished Germany in the Round of 16, their side of the bracket looks incredibly inviting. However, before a second-straight semifinal at a major tournament and a return to Wembley Stadium, they must get by a feisty Ukraine side.
Here are our tips and predictions for Ukraine vs. England on July 3.
Game info
• Location: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
• Date: Saturday, July 3, 2021
• Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN, TSN
Ukraine vs England betting tips
- England (-250)
- Under 2.5 (-125)
Read on for complete analysis
Ukraine vs England match odds
Ukraine: +750
England: -250
Draw: +350
Total: 2.5
Over 2.5: +100
Under 2.5: -125
Odds as of July 1, 2021, at 2:45 p.m. ET.
Euro 2020 sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonDraftKings has this quarterfinal match priced at England -215/Ukraine +700/Draw +330 as of 1 p.m. ET, two hours before start time. The three-way moneyline is heavy to Three Lions, with the English side taking 82 percent of bets and 81 percent of money. Big underdog Ukraine is drawing 11 percent of bets/16 percent of cash, and Draw is at 7 percent of bets/3 percent of money. The total is at 2.5 (Under -132), with the Over landing 65 percent of bets/52 percent of dollars.
Ukraine vs England betting preview
Weather
Ukraine and England will have some clouds on a beautiful night in Rome for their match Saturday, with temperatures expected around 90 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff.
Key injuries
Ukraine: Artem Besedin (Out).
England: No injuries to report.
Matchup
| Ukraine | England | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | World Ranking | 4 |
| 6 | Goals For | 4 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 0 |
| 2-1 vs. Sweden | Previous Game | 2-0 vs. Germany |
| Oleksandr Zinchenko | Player to Watch | Raheem Sterling |
Ukraine vs England predictions
Moneyline pick
Despite underwhelming at times during the group stage, England effectively dispatched Germany in the Round of 16 in what was their best performance of the tournament. They've remained defensively stout throughout the tournament, with only Italy conceding fewer expected goals per game. The midfield pair of Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice have displayed dogged determination from wire to wire. Raheem Sterling's performances have been excellent but, most crucially, Harry Kane finally got onto the scoresheet against Germany.
With Kane finally onto the scoresheet and England becoming increasingly vindicated for their approach in the tournament, optimism around their Euro hopes continues to grow. Helping that optimism is an undeniably fortunate draw that now sees them face massive underdogs Ukraine in the quarterfinals.
To Ukraine's credit, they and manager Andriy Shevchenko accomplished something few teams have been able to do in recent history. They discombobulated a Sweden team that had long since mastered the art of tournament soccer, playing in a rigid 4-4-2 and frustrating teams until eventual mistakes. Instead, Ukraine forced Sweden onto the front foot and capitalized on the space that opened up behind their wide midfielders, who were pushing higher and higher.
In that regard, it was a perfect situation for Ukraine, as it put the onus on their wide players — who happen to be the team's most effective going forward. Unfortunately, not only is the talent gap considerably wider in Ukraine's quarterfinal tie than it was in the Round of 16, but England are much more well equipped to handle Ukraine's creative players.
Ukraine have made great progress in little time under Schevchenko, but their Euro 2020 journey will end in Rome on Saturday against a much better England team.
PREDICTION: England (-250)
Over/Under pick
While England manager Gareth Southgate will always have his share of critics, one thing he has done consistently well at Euro 2020 is take away the opponent's most threatening avenue. That characteristic of England and Southgate's management shined in the Round of 16 against Germany. After German wing-backs Joshua Kimmich and Robin Gosens proved to be the creative force of the team in the group stage, Southgate switched to a back-five, with England's wing-backs pinning Kimmich and Gosens back deep in their defensive half and rendering them ineffective.
We can expect a similar setup on Saturday with Ukraine, like Germany, finding joy down the flanks at Euro 2020. While that will do the job of quieting Ukraine's most dangerous players going forward, it will also likely mean one fewer player in attack for England. As England have proven throughout their Euro campaign, that's fine by them — pragmatism has been prioritized in a successful approach.
England have rewarded Under bettors and their supporters alike in Euro 2020, and that won't change on Saturday, as the Three Lions will successfully navigate the quarterfinal their way — in a low-scoring affair.
PREDICTION: Under 2.5 (-125)
Picks made on 7/1/2021 at 6:15 p.m. ET
Euro 2020 betting sites
As a signature tournament for the most popular sport in the world, almost every online sportsbook and betting site will offer odds for Euro 2020. Check out the best soccer betting sites available where you live.
