Summer whip around…EUROS STYLE! Semifinal edition!!!
Without further ado…let’s WHIP IT AROUND!
Matchups
v
SPAIN v FRANCE Our second ‘This could have been the Final’ game of the tournament. France has gotten this far without scoring a single goal from open play. That means they haven’t but it doesn’t mean they won’t. They are happy to let you have the ball. They have the speed and the pieces to counter, they just haven’t put them together yet. Griezmann has been put all over except for the spot where he’s best: in the midfield. Will that happen here? Time will tell. If they don’t figure it out here they are in trouble.
Wanna let Spain have the ball? Well then good luck getting it back. This is still a Spain that will tiki taka you to death…but with a little more bite. With Pedri out that means more Dani Olmo. The same Olmo that has 5 goals over his last 8 Spain caps. Pair him on one side with Yamal and toss Nico Williams on the other side and you are in trouble. The back line is still week but the question is whether you can get there. France will get some shots but can they convert? That’s gonna be the question here. Spain’s gonna create 10+ chances and probably finish at least 1. France might get 3. Maybe 4. Can they convert 2 of them? That will be the question here.
PREDICTION: France is a mystery. That mystery might get them to halftime 0-0. I don’t think it will win them the game though. Maignan will keep them in it but that CB duo has a mistake in them. Spain have just way too much. I see them getting 1 and possibly 2.
Betting thoughts? Spain corners? Maignan saves? A Spain shots ladder perhaps? You may have to get creative but I see some opportunities here.
v
NETHERLANDS v ENGLAND Really looking forward to this matchup. You have a lot of irresistible force versus immovable object matchups here.
When England have the ball they wanna hold up play with Kane, swing the ball to the edges to Saka and Trippier. The Netherlands have Van Dijk who will be very familiar with Kane’s antics. Kane does not look fit so I imagine both van Dijk and de Vrij will really lean on him. The Netherlands also have an excellent FB duo in Dumfries and Ake with Van de Ven in reserve. That gives them plenty of bodies to throw at the English FBs. England don’t go forward much but when they do the Dutch will be ready.
The Dutch on the other hand will have equal trouble against England. Memphis’s hold up play has been poor. Their best action has come from Weghorst being in the box and kicking Memphis either deeper or out wide. Bergwijn has been terrible on the right. Maybe it’s time to start either Frimpong or Malen? Lot’s of options for the Netherlands.
PREDICTION: Both teams start with their regular lineups. England sits. We all watch Memphis give away the ball 17 times in the box. It’s 0-0 at the half. Then about the 60th minute the game starts in earnest. Koeman reveals his hand first. Weghorst comes on. Maybe Malen. Hopefully Frimpong as I really like what he brings. Then Southgate responds a few minutes later. Kane comes off as we wonder what’s wrong with him. The game opens up right before we get to extra time and probably PKs. I’ll go England to advance.
Betting ideas? I like under 2.5 and England to qualify at +180. I like a SOT from Reijnders (+350) and Simons (+200). I also like a card for Ake trying to handle Saka. For England both Rice and Mainoo had first half shots last game. Love both of those at around +125.
Final Thoughts
There you go folks. Spain and England it is.
Summer tourney season almost done folks. Always flies by too fast. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Lisi
PS: If you enjoy making a few bets the KICKS and PICKS PODCAST is a must listen. Fun show with excellent insight. Great for anyone new to the betting scene. Enjoy!!