EURO 2024: The Ultra previews Monday’s knockout games between FRANCE v BELGIUM and PORTUGAL v SLOVENIA both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
FRANCE V BELGIUM
5pm The Last 16 continues from Euro 2024 on Monday and we have two cracking fixtures on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE ! The top half of the draw has really turned out to be the tough side – I doubt many football fans would have predicted France meeting Belgium here after both sides finished second in Group’s D and E. France played some nice football, but they struggled to convert chances. Mbappe actually finished the Group stage with an xG created higher than the whole England side – even with the broken nose drama! That obviously didn’t convert into results for France who only managed to score a penalty with the winning goal against Austria being an own goal. That is the big worry for France heading into the knockout stage, but the reality is they just have to keep playing like this and eventually they will start taking their chances. Belgium haven’t been near to the level France have played at, and their tactics against Ukraine in their final Group game resulted in their own fans booing them off the park. Very rarely do we see that happen in a major tournament; especially when the side has gone through to the next stage too! The Belgium fans clearly wanted more effort from their side; they played for a draw rather than trying to win and top the Group.
A place in the next round is hardly worth much when it is against one of the best sides in Europe. Of course, Belgium have the talent in their squad to win here but it was just playing with fear and being cagey in general against a weaker side that got the fans going. It will be interesting to see what tactics they adopt here; if you’re going to be afraid to open up against Ukraine what do you do against France? We have a fascinating game ahead though, and France come in as the marginal odds on favourites. France are trading 1.98 with Belgium 5.2 and the draw is 3.25 at the time of writing. Both sides clearly have a hugely talented squad, and it’s fair to say that they haven’t fired yet at Euro 2024. I have no issues with how France have played, but failing to take their chances is a worry. Belgium have been quite negative at times and I can definitely see them going into this game with a negative game plan. That obviously brings Under 2.5 goals into the mind, and that’s trading 1.67 so the market is clearly expecting a reasonably tight game. I feel Both Teams Not To Score offers more value at 1.84. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see a 0-0 here, but if there is a winner I can see it being 1-0 to France. I’m happy with a position on Both Teams Not To Score at the odds.
The Ultra Says:
Two points win Both Teams Not To Score at 1.84 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/FraBel
PORTUGAL V SLOVENIA
8pm We move onto Portugal v Slovenia, and while Portugal will be expected to progress here they definitely have their hands full on the top half of the draw. They were a very popular choice in the Outright market in the build-up to the tournament, but now their path is quite challenging – if they progress here they meet the winner of France and Belgium. Beforehand you would have said they had a decent run to the Semi-Final where the general feeling was that they would meet Spain. I suppose to win a major tournament you have to beat the top sides! Slovenia finished third in England’s Group; easily the most boring Group of Euro 2024! They finished the Group stage with a low xG created, scoring two goals from their three games and getting three draws. I can see them sitting back here with XI men behind the ball, and it will be up to Portugal to make the running. It’s not a surprise to see Portugal come into the game as the odds on favourites at 1.41 with Slovenia 10.5 and the draw is 4.9 at the time of writing. Portugal lost to Georgia in their final Group game but they were already certain of top spot, and they did finish that game with an xG created of over 2.0.
If you were going to have an unlucky game where you create a lot but don’t score, you might as well do it in a fixture that doesn’t matter! The 1.41 on Portugal is the second lowest price of the Last 16, and it’s hard to argue with the market here given the gulf in class between the sides. Portugal have a huge amount of talent in their squad – a lot of focus has been on their attacking talent but they have one of the best defensive figures after the Group stage. I know a lot of football fans will point to the 2-0 loss against Georgia, but Georgia finished that game with an xG created under 1.0 – it was just one of those games. Slovenia created very little in the Group stage and as I said above, I can see them being quite negative here. I couldn’t put anyone off the 1.41 on Portugal, however I feel that they will keep a clean sheet on the way to winning. Both Teams Not To Score is trading 1.64 and that looks a very nice position to finish the day in my opinion. I wouldn’t put anyone off the Both Teams Not To Score double on Monday!
The Ultra Says:
Three points win Both Teams Not To Score at 1.64 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/PorSlo
