Euro 2024 Daily Betting Briefing: Saturday, June 22
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
The second round of group stage fixtures concludes on Saturday with Portugal and Belgium among the six sides in action.
Check out our best bets and match previews below and over on our YouTube channel.
Euro 2024 fixtures for June 22, 2024
There are three Euro 2024 matches taking place on Saturday, June 22. These are:
2pm BST: Group F - Georgia vs Czech Republic (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg)
5pm BST: Group F - Turkey vs Portugal (Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund)
8pm BST: Group E - Belgium vs Romania (Cologne Stadium, Cologne)
Betting Odds for Thursday's Euro 2024 fixtures
Georgia 4/1, Draw 11/4, Czech Republic 4/5
Turkey 5/1, Draw `6/5, Portugal 33/50
Belgium 1/2, Draw 18/5, Romania 7/1
*UK best prices as of 10AM 22/06/2024
Odds Now's Betting Preview - Georgia vs Czech Republic
Above: Lukas Provod scored in the Czech Republic's loss to Portugal (Photo by Alamy Images)
Team news
Georgia picked up no injuries during their pulsating 3-1 defeat to Turkey, so may name an unchaged XI for this clash.
The Czechs suffered a heartbreaking injury-time defeat to Portugal but still earned plenty of credit for a resolute defensive performance.
Though they are also injury-free ahead of their second encounter, Ivan Hasek may be tempted to try a slightly more adventurous line-up in attack.
The state of play
Given both sides enter this clash on zero points, it goes without saying that defeat could spell serious danger for either nation.
The Czechs have already negotiated their clash wtih heavy group favourites Portugal and will still fancy their chances of progressing, though Georgia also delivered a performance which should give their supporters hope.
Hasek's men are odds-on favourites to win this clash and with Turkey also expected to lose to Portugal, that duo could feasibly meet in a clash for second place on Wednesday night.
However, they are in no position to overlook an exciting Georgian outfit who gained many new admirers for their plucky counter-attacking play on matchday one.
Analysis and best bets for Georgia vs Czech Republic
Czech Republic know that they will face a stern test against group outsiders Georgia — one they must overcome to boost their knockout prospects.
Georgia were a joy to watch against Turkey, throwing caution to the wind with their fast-paced breaks. However, they did give up a lot of opportunities which their opponents eventually made count.
Most notably, Turkey's three central midfielders racked up a whopping 11 shots between them. Similar can be expected from the Czechs, who had midfileder Lukas Provod on the scoresheet in their opener.
The best way to play this game may well be backing Provod and his midfield colleague Pavel Sulc in the anytime goalscorer market. Both priced at 7/1, half a point on each should give backers a good run for their money.
Sulc and Provod were responsible for 40% of their nation's efforts on goal against Portugal and may be the difference-makers in Hamburg.
Odds Now's best bet - Lukas Provod to score anytime - 0.5pts @ 7/1 + Pavel Sulc to score anytime - 0.5pts @7/1 (both BetMGM)
Odds Now's Betting Preview - Turkey vs Portugal
Above: Arda Guler scored a fantastic strike in Turkey's 3-1 win over Georgia (Photo by Alamy Images)
Team news
Turkey and Portugal both negotiated their opening matches without picking up any obvious injury issues, though both could make changes here.
The Turks fielded a very attack-minded line-up against Georgia and Vincenzo Montella may opt for a more defence-minded approach. Hakan Calhanoglu's versatily will help in that regard.
Portugal, meanwhile, only broke down Czech Republic in the latter stages of their 2-1 win. Rafa Leao's spot in the starting XI could be under threat as a result, with Diogo Jota impressing from the bench.
Despite failing to net in the opener, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to lead the line once again.
The state of play
Both of these nations kicked off with a hard-earned victory which means they can afford to relax that little bit more coming into this clash.
Victory for either will secure their place in the knockout stages, with Turkey surely more keen to do so to avoid the jeopardy of a do-or-die match with Czech Republic on matchday three.
The Turks scored two spectacular strikes against Georgia but failed to convert some of their easier chances — a luxury they will not be able to afford against the Selecao.
Portugal will expect nothing less than top spot in Group F, which will set them up a favourable last-16 tie with one of the four third-placed sides.
Analysis and best bets for Turkey vs Portugal
Turkey got the job done in style against Georgia and confidence will now be flowing through the veins of Montella's young, vibrant side.
In essence, this is a bit of a free hit for them against one of the tournament favourites and considering how free-flowing some of their attacking football is, a cracking game could be in store.
The obvious worry from a Turkey perspective was the 14 shots they gave up against group outsiders Georgia. Portugal's embarrassment of riches in attack would surely run riot in similar circumstances.
The angle I like in this game is Cristiano Ronaldo's shot line. The legendary marksman has never been shy at having a pop at goal — no player in European Championship history has had more.
In his opening outing, Ronaldo fired off five attempts on goal to no avail, which will have no doubt frustrated him despite his seemingly new-found selflessness. More of the same is surely on the cards today.
Backing Portugal's star man to have over 4.5 shots at a generous 7/4 looks worth a tickle.
Odds Now's best bet - Cristiano Ronaldo over 4.5 shots vs Turkey - 2pts @ 7/4 (Bet365)
Odds Now's Betting Preview - Romania vs Belgium
Above: Romelu Lukaku endured a nightmare time of things against Slovakia (Photo by Alamy Images)
Team news
Axel Witsel was set to stand in at centre-back for Belgium in their opener but suffered a recurrence of an old, unspecified injury. He will miss out again here as a result.
That means that Belgium could theoretically go unchanged, though the nature of their shock 1-0 loss to Slovakia could tempt Domenico Tedesco into tweaks.
Romania will almost certainly field the same XI who sealed a famous 3-0 triumph over Ukraine earlier this week.
The state of play
Pre-tournament, many would have expected Belgium to enter this clash on three points and Romania to be on zero — but roles are remarkably reversed
The Red Devils' 1-0 defeat to Slovakia, which was frustrating and unlucky in equal measure, has left them with work to do in Group E and another defeat here could be terminal to their qualification hopes.
Romania, meanwhile, may have already done enough to secure a spot in the knockouts with their win over Ukraine, though another point would make things a lot less stressful.
Even if they do lose their remaining two matches, keeping goal difference as strong as possible may be a key factor when it comes to crunch time.
Analysis and best bets for Romania vs Belgium
Nobody saw Belgium's shock loss to Slovakia coming but while the result sent shockwaves through the footballing world, the performance itself wasn't actually too disappointing.
On another day, Romelu Lukaku could have sealed the Golden Boot in one hit — spurning three golden chances in the first period before having two goals ruled out by VAR after the break.
Romania were under the pump against Ukraine before Nicolae Stanciu's world-class strike turned the contest on its head. A mixture of resolute defending and some unfortunate goalkeeping from Andriy Lunin helped them see out a memorable 3-0 success.
Still, I see this contest as a fairly straightforward case of attack versus defence and Belgium's talismanic forwards are unlikely to all have another off-day. Meanwhile, Romania would not be too disheartened by a narrow defeat even if they won't admit it.
Backing Belgium at 1/2 looks a safe ploy for big-time punters but for those seeking out some extra value, the Belgium win with under 4.5 goals in the match looks safe at 5/6.
Romania are a stubborn outfit and even though they may taste defeat, they are highly unlikely to be steam-rolled.
Odds Now's best bet - Belgium to win and under 4.5 goals in match - 3pts @ 5/6 (Betway)
Odds Now's Euro 2024 best bets for Saturday, June 22
Lukas Provod to score anytime for Czech Republc vs Georgia - 0.5pts @ 7/1 (BetMGM)
Pavel Sulc to score anytime for Czech Republc vs Georgia - 0.5pts @7/1 (BetMGM)
Odds Now's best bet - Cristiano Ronaldo over 4.5 shots vs Turkey - 2pts @ 7/4 (Bet365)
Belgium to win and under 4.5 goals in match - 3pts @ 5/6 (Betway)