NESImages/DeFodi Images via Getty Images. Pictured: Netherlands star Memphis Depay.
We have arrived at the third day of the 2020 European Championships.
There are three games on the Sunday schedule, featuring: England vs. Croatia (Group D); Austria vs. North Macedonia (Group C); and, Netherlands vs. Ukraine in the Group C nightcap.
As previously mentioned, the Action Network soccer analysts have you covered when it comes to your Euro 2020 needs, providing game previews, in-depth analysis and selections during the tournament.
When it comes to these latest showdowns, handicappers Jeremy Pond, Matthew Trebby, BJ Cunningham and Anthony Dabbundo have picks covering every match on the slate.
That said, let’s take a look at their best bets on the interesting card.
_BookPromo=1020
Sunday’s Best Bets
| ANALYST | PICK | ODDS | BEST BOOK |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Pond | England -0.75 (-127) vs. Croatia | DraftKings |
| Matthew Trebby | Netherlands vs. Ukraine — Total Over 2.5 Goals (+113) | BetMGM |
| BJ Cunningham | Austria ML (-135) vs. North Macedonia | FanDuel |
| Anthony Dabbundo | Austria ML (-135) vs. North Macedonia | FanDuel |
Odds as of Saturday afternoon.
Jeremy Pond: England -0.75 (-127) vs. Croatia
- Odds available at DraftKings
So, will this finally be the year all-mighty England captures an elusive European championship? I’m not so sure, but oddsmakers like manager Gareth Southgate’s side that’s sitting as the second choice at most sportsbooks around +700 odds.
The Three Lions would love to get off to a raucous start to the their title quest in the Group D opener against bitter rival Croatia. And as you probably gathered, England is stacked with talent all over the pitch.
I mean, who wouldn’t love having the “trouble” Southgate faces when selecting a strike partner — or partners — for Harry Kane from a player pool that includes Jordan Rashford, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling to just name a few stars at his disposal.
Needless to say, I fully expect England’s vaunted attack to be all over the Croatian defense from the start. There is just way too much talent for the Three Lions to flounder against Croatia, which suffered a loss to Belgium and shock draw against Armenia in the run-up to the tournament. Simply put, that doesn’t spark much confidence in the Croatians.
For that reason, I’m backing England on the Asian/alternative spread line of -0.75 (-127 odds) at DraftKings as my top selection. The Three Lions have all the tools to make a deep — and potentially championship — run in the Euros and need to stamp their place as a deserved title favorite.
Note: If you’re looking for another quick hitter, take a shot on Netherlands star Memphis Depay to score anytime (+155 odds via DraftKings) during his nation’s match against Ukraine. The Lyon talisman, who lit up Ligue 1 opponents this past season in the French top flight, is one of my top plays for the tournament’s Golden Boot (most overall goals) and should open his account in this affair.
_BookPromo=2636
Matthew Trebby: Netherlands vs. Ukraine — Total Over 2.5 Goals (+115)
- Odds available at BetMGM
A bet on the over is a bet on Memphis Depay in this game, as well as the pedigree of Ukraine’s prolific manager.
The Dutch will go as Depay goes in this tournament. He is currently looking for his next club with his contract set to expire at Lyon, where he has had a pair of fantastic seasons. Talent has never been a problem for Depay, who struggled at Manchester United. His game has matured, though, and he’s poised to lead this attack.
On the other side, the Ukrainians are not going to sit back and soak up Dutch pressure. Manager Andriy Shevchenko is the nation’s all-time leading scorer and, by far, the most famous player Ukraine has produced.
Shevchenko has a few technically talented players at his disposal, most notably Russian Malinovskyi (Atalanta) and Oleksandr Zinchenko of Manchester City. Andriy Yarmolenko (West Ham United) will join the duo in support of striker Roman Yaremchuk, who’s coming off a 20-goal season for Gent in Belgium.
Ukraine’s personnel don’t specialize in parking the bus. They’re meant to attack, especially under Shevchenko. There’s plenty of attacking talent and purpose in this game. The over on the total at plus odds is very good value.
BJ Cunningham: Austria ML (-135) vs. North Macedonia
- Odds available at DraftKings
The Austrians were in one of the easiest Euro 2020 qualifying groups, finishing second to Poland. However, it had the best underlying metrics, averaging 2.57 xG per match, while only allowing 0.92 xG per outing.
The real strength of the Austrians is in their midfield, which features three really talented central midfielders in Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer, who both play for Bundesliga powerhouse RB Leipzig. Joining them is Wolfsburg standout Xaver Schlager. These three should be able to dominate against North Macedonia, which is really weak in central midfield.
The Austrians are led up front by 23-year-old Sasa Kalajdzic, who scored 16 goals in 33 appearances for Bundesliga side Vfb Stuttgart this season and carried a 0.47 xG per 90 minutes scoring rate.
Austria was actually in the same group as North Macedonia during Euro 2020 qualifying and both matches were complete routs, with the Austrians winning by score lines of 4-1 and 2-1 in those games. It out-created North Macedonia by a whopping 8.87-1.31 in expected goals as well. So, Austria should be able to roll over this huge underdog in their Group C opener.
I really don’t see how North Macedonia is going to drastically improve from those results against Austria during qualifying.
Give me the Austrians at -135 odds.
Anthony Dabbundo: Austria ML (-135) vs. North Macedonia
- Odds available at DraftKings
Austria was underrated throughout most of qualifying, with the best underlying numbers in their relatively weak group. Austrian teams of the past have often been too reliant on David Alaba, and haven’t had enough depth around the pitch. However, that’s not the current case, as its squad is littered with Bundesliga players, many of whom are starting in the German top flight.
The midfield group of Marcel Sabitzer (RB Leipzig), Stefan Ilsanker (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Xaver Schlager (Wolfsburg) is one of the most underrated trios in the entire tournament. It’s balanced, with Ilsanker as the destroyer, Sabitzer as the creator and all three able to press/win the ball high up the pitch.
Bottom line, the Austrians should overwhelm North Macedonia in the center of the park and keep them penned in for most of the match.
One of Austria’s main issues in past tournaments has been in front of goal, but it might have a solution this time around in Sasa Kalajdzic. The 23-year-old striker averaged 0.4 xG per 90 for Stuttgart this year, nabbing 16 goals along the way He should be the missing piece to help the Austrians find goals against a much weaker side.
_BookPromo=2637