UEFA Euro Round of 16 Preview

Last Updated on June 27, 2024 6:31 pm by Erwin Noguera

The Round of 16 of the UEFA EURO 2024 is upon us and, in a few hours, we will begin to enjoy the do-or-die matches of this crucial stage of the competition.

So far, all the favorite teams, except for Croatia, have qualified for the next stage of the tournament. However, we have seen a high level of play from underdog teams that nobody gave anything away. However, it is the moment of truth and, in this round of 16, we will know which teams are ready to fight for the crown of champions.

France, Germany, Spain, and England are the favorites. However, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal will try to show what they are made of and will try to go as far as possible.

Below, we bring you a preview of the best matches of the UEFA EURO 2024 Round of 16.

UEFA Euro Round of 16: Switzerland vs. Italy

When and Where?

Saturday, June 29, 12:00 pm ET at the Olympiastadion

Moneyline odds:

Switzerland 3.48

Italy 2.48

Draw Offs: 

3.00

Where can I watch it?

FOX Sports, Star+, and ViX

Switzerland played brilliantly in the group stage of Euro 2024 despite being considered one of the underdogs. They finished second in Group A, which included tough opponents such as Germany, Hungary, and Scotland, by showing determination and resilience.

In particular, their draw against Germany was the highlight with an early goal from Dan Ndoye, followed by a late equalizer from Niclas Füllkrug. Their strong defensive unit, led by Fabian Schär and Manuel Akanji, frustrated their opponents and allowed counterattacks.

Xherdan Shaqiri and Breel Embolo were also key to their success, with Shaqiri’s vision and set pieces and Embolo’s strength and ability to draw defenders.

By contrast, Italy, the defending champions, had a tougher campaign in the group stage and finished second in Group B behind Spain. They struggled to recreate their attacking shape from their previous triumph and lacked an in-form striker to lead the line.

Despite this, Italy’s experienced players and big-game mentality make them a tough team to beat, and they always have the potential to bounce back to their best form.

For this match, our prediction is a win for Italy.

Switzerland vs. Italy Betting Pick: Italy

UEFA Euro Round of 16: England vs. Slovakia

When and Where?

Sunday, June 29, 12:00 pm ET at the Arena AufSchalke

Moneyline odds:

England 1.43

Slovakia 9.30

Draw Offs: 

4.60

Where can I watch it?

FOX Sports, Star+, and ViX

England is a strong contender for the championship at Euro 2024 but has failed to live up to expectations despite topping Group C. The team, with top players such as Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham, scored only two goals in the group stage, which is concerning given their attacking talent. Their midfield has struggled to create clear-cut chances consistently, as seen in their recent 0-0 draw with Slovenia, where they were unable to break down the defense.

On the other hand, Slovakia surprised many by reaching the Round of 16 after finishing third in Group E. They have a solid defensive organization and rely on a strong defensive unit. They rely on counterattacks but lack creativity in midfield. To surprise England, Slovakia will need their key players, such as Marek Hamsik, to perform at their best and can use a compact 4-4-2 formation to soak up pressure and look for opportunities on the counterattack.

For this match, our winner’s chip is in England.

England vs. Slovakia Betting Pick: England

UEFA Euro Round of 16: Portugal vs. Slovenia

When and Where?

Monday, Jule 1, 3:00 pm ET at the Frankfurt Arena

Moneyline odds:

Portugal 1.42

Slovenia 9.70

Draw Offs: 

4.70

Where can I watch it?

FOX Sports, Star+, and ViX

Portugal’s talented team has been disappointing in the group stage, despite high expectations due to players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva. While they started with wins, a 2-0 loss to Georgia raised concerns about their squad depth.

Their offensive play has been inconsistent, relying on individual brilliance rather than creating clear-cut chances. Defensively, they have been solid but prone to lapses in concentration and vulnerability at set pieces. With Ronaldo and Fernandes aging, this may be Portugal’s last chance to win a major tournament with their current talented generation of players.

Slovenia have impressed on their way to the last 16 of UEFA EURO 2024 despite being underdogs in a tough group. Their solid defensive organization, led by a strong back four and a tenacious midfield, has been key to their success.

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak has been crucial in making important saves. Although known for its defensive strength, Slovenia has also surprised its opponents with effective counterattacking skills from players such as Josip Ilicic and Benjamin Verbic.

Slovenia’s compact and disciplined style has proven to challenge even the best teams in the tournament. Heading into the match against Portugal, they will gain confidence from their solid performances in the group stage, including a hard-fought draw against England. With their spirit and determination underdog, they are optimistic about causing another upset and extending their remarkable journey in the competition.

For this match, our betting pick will be a win for Portugal.

Portugal vs. Slovenia Betting Pick: Portugal

UEFA Euro Round of 16: Rumania vs. Netherlands

When and Where?

Tuesday, Jule 2, 12:00 pm ET at the Allianz Arena

Moneyline odds:

Rumania 7.80

Netherlands 1.48

Draw Offs: 

4.40

Where can I watch it?

FOX Sports, Star+, and ViX

Romania has emerged as a surprise contender at UEFA EURO 2024 by topping Group E ahead of favorites Belgium. Their unexpected success can be attributed to their strong defensive performance and efficient finishing, which earned them four points in the group-stage matches.

They started with a hard-fought 3-0 win over Ukraine, followed by a 0-2 loss to Belgium. In their final group match, they fought back to secure a 1-1 draw with Slovakia, securing the top spot based on head-to-head results.

Despite a tightly contested Group E in which all teams finished with four points, Romania’s better goal difference was crucial in confirming their position as group winners. Their solid defense and ability to get results have made them a challenging opponent, setting up an exciting knockout match against the Netherlands.

The Dutch national team, meanwhile, had a disappointing UEFA EURO 2024 group stage, securing just four points from their three matches and finishing third in Group D, which was unexpected considering the quality of their squad. This has raised concerns about their ability to perform well in the tournament.

One problem is the absence of Frankie de Jong due to injury. De Jong is a crucial player for the Dutch midfield, and without him, the team has lacked the balance and creativity needed to unlock tough defenses.

As they advance to the knockout stages, the Dutch team needs to address their deficiencies, find their form, unlock their full potential, and overcome the challenges of their opponents if they hope to make a significant impact on the tournament. Despite having immense talent, they need to step up their game.

For this match, there is no doubt that our winner’s chip goes to the Netherlands.

Rumania vs. Netherlands Betting Pick: Netherlands