ETTORE FERRARI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images. Pictured: Harry Kane.
And then there were four.
A wild Euro 2020 tournament is at the semifinal stage, with three powerhouses and a lovable underdog still alive.
In a rematch of the Euro 2012 final, Italy and Spain will square off on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium, before England and Denmark do battle the next day on the same ground.
Here are early lines, courtesy of DraftKings, and a preview of each matchup:
(Odds as of 5 p.m. ET)
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Italy vs. Spain Odds
| Italy Odds | +155 |
| Spain Odds | +200 |
| Draw | +215 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (+130 / -159) |
| Day | Time | Tuesday | 3 p.m. ET |
| How To Watch | ESPN | fuboTV |
| Odds updated Saturday morning via DraftKings. | |
The Italians are -129 to go through, while Spain are +105.
Italy have been the most impressive team of the tournament, with all due respect to England, because of their attacking flair, something that isn’t usually associated with Azzurri.
Italy have scored multiple goals in four of their five games, and the only contest in which they didn’t was a 1-0 win over Wales that saw them register 2.05 expected goals while featuring a lineup primarily consisting of reserve players.
No Italian player has more than two goals, and the attack has been thoroughly impressive. The midfield of Jorginho, Nicolo Barella and Marco Verratti thrived against Belgium, while Lorenzo Insigne scored a brilliant goal against Belgium and has been the star of the front three.
Italy have only conceded twice this tournament, once in extra time against Austria after going 2-0 up, and the other a penalty against Belgium. Otherwise, Gianluigi Donnarumma is proving to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and Juventus duo Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci clearly have plenty left in the tank.
Spain, meanwhile, have been up and down all tournament. After scoring just once in two games while creating chances galore against Sweden and Poland, they exploded for 10 goals in their next two against Slovakia and Croatia, scoring twice in extra time in the latter fixture.
Then, it was back to square one against Switzerland. In the first 90 minutes against the Swiss, Spain scored on a fortunate own goal and created just 1.02 expected goals. They didn’t score in the 30 minutes of extra time but registered 2.17 xG before advancing in a penalty shootout.
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England vs. Denmark Odds
| Czech Republic Odds | -152 |
| Denmark Odds | +480 |
| Draw | +275 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (+135 / -167) |
| Day | Time | Wednesday | 3 p.m. ET |
| How To Watch | ESPN | fuboTV |
| Odds updated Saturday morning via DraftKings. | |
England are yet to concede at Euro 2020, keeping clean sheets against Croatia, Scotland, Czech Republic, Germany and Ukraine on Saturday.
With their impressive attacking talent, England hadn’t hit their stride going forward until the dominant 4-0 win over Ukraine. Harry Kane scored his second goal of the tournament in the fourth minute, though, and then Harry Maguire and Kane scored in the 46th and 50th minutes to put the game out of reach. Jordan Henderson, like Maguire, scored off a set piece to give the game its final scoreline.
John Stones and Maguire have been stout in defense, while Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips provide plenty of cover in the midfield. England did change their formation to match Germany’s 3-4-3 in that Round of 16 matchup, so it’s possible Gareth Southgate does the same against Denmark.
Going forward, Raheem Sterling has been England’s star with three goals and an assist, which came on Kane’s opener against Ukraine.
The Danes had to change how they play after Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest in their first game against Finland. Instead of a 4-2-3-1 with the Inter Milan playmaker at the heart of things, Denmark have successfully opted for a 3-4-3 that has seen them thrive.
After losing to Finland and Belgium to start the tournament, Denmark have outscored Russia, Wales and Czech Republic 10-2 over their past three games. With a strong defense and midfield that will be very familiar with the England team given their presence in the Premier League, it could be a difficult one for Gareth Southgate’s team.
Denmark will also have the confidence that they can play with and beat England. In the UEFA Nations League, Denmark drew England in September 2020 before winning 1-0 at Wembley Stadium the next month, although Eriksen did feature in both of those games and scored the goal, a penalty kick, in the win. Maguire was sent off in the defeat for England.
