Are the Netherlands, Denmark, and England ready?

We move on to the third day of the EURO 2024, with Poland vs Netherlands, Slovenia vs Denmark and Serbia vs England. Can the favourites deliver what they promise?

Poland vs Netherlands

• When: Sunday, 16 June, 3 p.m.
• Where: Hamburg

Poland starts its EURO 2024 campaign coming from a rough time making it there. It could be that hardest part is still ahead, as the Polish not only have to deal with the Netherlands, but also France and Austria, in its Group D. Poland has a special weapon in their midst, though: Robert Lewandowski. The prolific goal scorer has plenty of experience to offer, and can punish the opposing side’s defence like few others.

The Netherlands has one of the most well-rounded squads in the tournament, thanks to coach Ronald Koeman. Virgil van Dijk still rules in the heart of the defence, of course. Offensively, there are some doubts as there’s no clear finisher. Instead, the Netherlands will depend on talented youngsters like Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo.

When these two nations clash, sparks will fly. Both will crave a victory ahead of their meeting with France down the road…

Stats and key info

Recent encounters (last 5 games)

• Poland vs Netherlands (22/09/2022): 0-2
• Netherlands vs Poland (11/06/2022): 2-2
• Poland vs Netherlands (18/11/2020): 1-2
• Netherlands vs Poland (04/09/2020): 0-1
• Poland vs Netherlands (01/06/2016): 1-2

Goals for/against (last 10 games)

• Poland: 18/7
• Netherlands: 27/4

Key players

• Poland: Robert Lewandowski (forward, Barcelona), Wojciech Szczesny (goalkeeper, Juventus), Piotr Zielinski (midfielder, Napoli).
• Netherlands: Virgil van Dijk (defender, Liverpool), Nathan Aké (defender, Manchester City), Xavi Simons (forward, RB Leipzig).

Conclusion and betting tips

This could be a nervous, closed affair, without many goals. A ‘Correct score: 1-1’ bet is more plausible than its odds of 7.00 might seem to indicate.

Slovenia vs Denmark

• When: Sunday, 16 June, 6 p.m.
• Where: Stuttgart

Even though it’s one of the countries with the least experience at this level, Slovenia has shown that it’s more than capable to stand its ground. The Slovenes finished their qualifying campaign as a runner-up to none other than their next foe, Denmark. The apparent lack of fame in its selection (the exception being Atlético Madrid goalie Jan Oblak) indicates that there will be players fighting to prove their worth to the world.

Denmark has famously won the European championship once, way back in 1992. Different times, of course. The current Danish lineup, under management of Kasper Hjulmand, has reasons to be hopeful for a shot at the final as one of the dark horses. With Christian Eriksen, Denmark has its very own hero to rally around.

It could be that a lot of the action will take place on the midfield, here. That is, until a decisive pass rips the play right open!

Stats and key info

Recent encounters (last 3 games)

• Denmark vs Slovenia (17/11/2023): 2-1
• Slovenia vs Denmark (19/06/2023): 1-1
• Slovenia vs Denmark (06/02/2008): 1-2

Goals for/against (last 10 games)

• Slovenia: 20/7
• Denmark: 19/5

Key players

• Slovenia: Jan Oblak (goalkeeper, Atlético Madrid), Sandi Lovrić (midfielder, Udinese), Benjamin Šeško (forward, RB Leipzig).
• Denmark: Kasper Schmeichel (goalkeeper, Anderlecht), Christian Eriksen (midfielder, Manchester United), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (midfielder, Tottenham Hotspur).

Conclusion and betting tips

With odds of 1.75, a bet on Denmark to win 1X2 is a good start. Another nice option is ‘Total goals: Over 2.5’ with odds of 2.20.

Serbia vs England

• When: Sunday, 16 June, 9 p.m.
• Where: Gelsenkirchen

Serbia can proceed to EURO 2024 with confidence, after beating Sweden 3-0 in its final rehearsal. The Serbs head into the tournaments as underdogs that deserve careful scrutiny by upcoming opponents. With more than a few true fighters in their squad (Dušan Tadić, for example, they should be able to make their mark – but maybe not against England.

The most outspoken among all favorites, England is of course looking to bring football home. In order to do so, they have an impressive selection that can fill a pitch with nothing but A-listers. Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Jude Bellingham: take your pick! England remains a little shaky in the midfield, though. Also, keep in mind that the English notoriously lost their last repetition before the big tournament to modest Iceland…

Strictly speaking, these 2 nations have never met, though England once beat Serbia & Montenegro 2-1, on 3 June, 2003.

Stats and key info

Goals for/against (last 10 games)

• Serbia: 15/15
• England: 17/8

Key players

• Serbia: Sergej Milinković-Savić (midfielder, Al-Hilal), Dušan Tadić (midfielder, Fenerbahçe), Dušan Vlahović (forward, Juventus).
• England: Phil Foden (forward, Manchester City), Kyle Walker (defender, Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (midfielder, Real Madrid).

Conclusion and betting tips

Bet on the underdog with either ‘First goal: Serbia’ or ‘Last goal: Serbia’, both at odds of 3.33! For safety, a simple 1X2 on an English victory will do for odds of 1.48.