BFW Roundtable: Euro 2020 - Round of 16 Predictions

Jack Laushway

Wales vs Denmark - You have to love this Denmark story. I can’t not root for Eriksen and the Danes. Denmark will win in spectacular fashion with a late winner. Wales 1-2 Denmark AET

Italy vs Austria - Red-hot Italy will be too much for the Austrians to handle. According to betting odds, Italy is the biggest favorite of any matchup in the Round of 16. Italy 2-0 Austria

Netherlands vs Czech Republic - Czech looked to have some spark in them in the group stage, but the Netherlands will close this one out. Netherlands 3-1 Czech Republic

Belgium vs Portugal - Should be quite the game. I think Portugal will squeeze this one out in penalties after 120 minutes. Belgium 1-1 Portugal AET (Portugal wins in pens)

Croatia vs Spain - Spain struggled against a weak group. Morata is nowhere near good enough to take them far in this contest. Croatia 2-1 Spain

France vs Switzerland - I think Switzerland will put up a good fight, but France won’t go down so easily. France 2-1 Switzerland

England vs Germany - England with the only home advantage of any matchup in the Round of 16. With Harry Kane looking severely out-of-from, I’m taking the away side. England 0-2 Germany

Sweden vs Ukraine - Emil Forsberg was been the bright light on this Swedish team. Ukraine have yet to impress me. Sweden 1-0 Ukraine

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Tom Adams

Wales vs Denmark - It is far too hard to root against Denmark at this point and I think they showed the fight they’re capable of with that brilliant performance vs. Russia. I’ll say they beat Wales 2-1. Wales 1-2 Denmark

Italy vs Austria - Italy has just breezed through this competition in complete control of evey match, the last of which they were able to rest key starters. Italy 2-0 Austria

Netherlands vs Czech Republic - The Dutch have scored the most goals out of any side this tournament and have proven how deadly their attack can be led by Depay, Weghorst, Wijnaldum, and Dumfries out on that right flank. Netherlands 2-0 Czech Republic

Belgium vs Portugal - This is the toughest to call, but I feel Ronaldo’s experience and love of the big moment will push Portugal through in penalties. Belgium 1-1 Portugal 1-1 AET (Portugal wins in pens)

Croatia vs Spain - Going with an upset here. I think Croatia is going to shock us and Spain’s tikki takka will get torn apart on counter attacks. Croatia 2-1 Spain

France vs Switzerland - France just has too much going forward, don’t they? France 3-1 Switzerland

England vs Germany - FOOTBALL’S COMING HOME! England 3-1 Germany

Sweden vs Ukraine - Sweden have been so impressive this tournament! Forsberg is really starting to fire on all cylinders and Isak’s presence in the attacking third has been menacing. I’m backing Sweden for this one. Sweden 2-0 Ukraine

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Samrin

Wales vs Denmark - Wales and Denmark both had at least one excellent performance in the group stages; Denmark in particular blew Russia away on the last match-day. I think Denmark will take this one. Wales 1-3 Denmark

Italy vs Austria - For all the talent Austria have at their disposal, I think they have underwhelmed, despite two out of three wins in the group stages. Marko Arnautovic looks rather rusty at the head of the line, David Alaba (at least defensively) has had a few slip-ups and the team haven’t scored enough goals keeping in mind the talent on the pitch. Italy has, for me, looked like the team of the tournament so far. I see Italy taking this. Italy 3-0 Austria

Netherlands vs Czech Republic - The Netherlands has looked excellent; the Czechs performed a bit better than I thought they would. I think the Dutch will take this one easily considering the fact that their attacking play has been in sync, unless of course, Patrick Schick hits another wonder goal. Netherlands 3-0 Czech Republic

Belgium vs Portugal - For many, Belgium has been the team of the tournament so far. They showed resilience against Denmark to come back from behind and win. Portugal was battered by a German side which has otherwise struggled in this tournament and beat the Hungarians, starting with a lucky deflection off of Willi Orban, toward the end of the match. Yet, I think Portugal can step it up and they will just edge this one out because they faced more adversity than Belgium in a much stronger group. Belgium 1-2 Portugal

Croatia vs Spain - All that needed to happen for Spain was for the floodgates to open. They were by and far the dominant side in their draws against Sweden and Poland. Had Alvaro Morata had his shooting boots on earlier, they would have their group easily. Croatia has flattered to deceive so far. They got to the Round of 16 by fighting hard against Scotland. I think this will be the end of their journey. Croatia 1-2 Spain

France vs Switzerland - Switzerland is another side which hasn’t done well enough considering the talent on the pitch. They should have beaten Wales on opening day and was unable to do so, despite the chances they created. They were rather timid against Italy. I think France, despite not having looked extraordinary to date, will take this one easily. France 3-1 Switzerland

England vs Germany - This is tough and so difficult to predict. This game makes me nervous. I want to say Germany can take it and they can but I don’t see Joachim Löw making the necessary changes. I see Ilkay Gündogan start again. I see the false nine experiment continuing. I see a slow and labored offense devoid of Leon Goretzka. I see Joshua Kimmich as a wingback again. I see the young attacking force and Robin Gosens struggle again. I see this going in England’s favor.
England 1-0 Germany

Sweden vs Ukraine - Sweden has impressed me so much so far! They have been excellent to date and even though Poland (and Robert Lewandowski) pegged them back in their final group game, they found a way to win, 3-2, with a goal in the dying seconds on the break. Ukraine hasn’t impressed me to date, despite coming back against the Dutch. Sweden will take this. Sweden 2-0 Ukraine

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Chuck Smith

Wales vs Denmark - I hope this one is fun and a shootout. Both teams probably got a bit lucky all things considered to get to this point but let’s say Denmark survives another day. Wales 2-3 Denmark

Italy vs Austria - This one will be the game of the round. I like Austria a lot, but the Italians might have had the best Group Stage of any team. Italy 3-2 Austria

Netherlands vs Czech Republic - You don’t know Schick! I’m going with Czechs to pull off a mild upset over an overrated Dutch side. I do hope Wout Weghorst scores, however. Netherlands 1-2 Czech Republic

Belgium vs Portugal - I don’t think Portugal is quite as much of a mess as it looked like against Germany and I don’t think Belgium is quite as dominant as it look in the Group Stage. A little Cristiano Ronaldo magic will make this one interesting. Belgium 2-1 Portugal

Croatia vs Spain - I shouldn’t take the Croatians in this one. I really shouldn’t. Why I am doing this? LEEEROOOOYYY JENNNNKINNNNNS! Croatia 2-1 Spain

France vs Switzerland - I am openly rooting against France at this point, but they are going to make the Swiss miss the next round. France 3-1 Switzerland

England vs Germany - Another case where I should know better...but I am an idiot. England 1-2 Germany

Sweden vs Ukraine - I like both of these teams. Sweden is stronger at this stage and just deeper. Buga för kung Marcus Iredahl! Sweden 2-1 Ukraine

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