EnglandEuroThe last of the European Championship quarter finals sees Ukraine take on an England in Rome on Saturday and England, who have yet to concede a goal in the tournament so far, are firm favourites.

 

 

 

Ukraine

 

Ukraine arrive in the last 8 courtesy of a 2-1 win over Sweden in extra time on Tuesday. Zinchenko put them in front on 27 minutes but the Swedes were level by half time and the second half failed to produce a goal. Sweden were reduced to 10 men in the first extra period and right at the death Ukraine came up with the winner through Dovbyk.

 

There were 6 best third place finish places available to qualify for the last 16 and Ukraine grabbed one of them. They finished third in Group C with 3 points, 3 fewer than Austria and 6 shy of the Netherlands whilst North Macedonia lost all their games.

 

Ukraine started their tournament with a 3-2 defeat to the Dutch in Amsterdam. They came back from 2-0 down with goals from Yarmolenko (75) and Malinovskiy (79) only for the Dutch to snatch a winner 5 minutes from the end. Ukraine's only group stage points came courtesy of a 2-1 victory over North Macedonia with Yarmolenko and Yaremchuk on target. Ukraine's final group game saw them go down 1-0 to Austria in a match where they created very little.

 

In the outright betting to win the tournament Ukraine are the outsiders at around 33/1 and they are 8/1 to reach the final. Note, those odds might change depending on results of the earlier quarter finals

 

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England

 

England now travel for the first time after playing all their matches at Wembley. In the Round of 16 they put in their best display so far with a 2-0 win over Germany. Raheem Sterling gave England the lead in the second half and as the Germans became increasingly desperate for the equalizer Harry Kane sealed the win.

 

England topped Group D with 7 points, 3 clear of Croatia and Czech Republic whilst Scotland earned just 1 point. Goals in the group matches were scarce with England first beating Croatia 1-0, then playing out a 0-0 draw with Scotland followed by another 1-0 victory over the Czech's. Sterling scored the winner in both of those group stage victories.

 

The winner of this match will face either Czech Republic or Denmark in the semi finals.

 

In the outright betting to win the tournament England are now favourites at around 2/1 and they can be backed at around 15/20 to reach the final. Again, those odds might change depending on results of the earlier quarter finals.

 

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The Betting

 

90 minutes: Ukraine are trading at around 7.25/1 to win the game in regulation time with the draw at 3.25/1 and England can be backed at around 9/20

 

A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 19/20 and it's 12/10 for both teams to score.

 

To qualify for the next round under any means of victory Ukraine are priced at around 7/2 and England are 1 / 5

 

Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

The Verdict:

 

England have yet to concede and although they travel for the first time the path towards the final looks more than favourable. Ukraine put in a great shift against Sweden but this looks another step up and I feel it could be a bridge too far.

 

England have yet to score in the first half of any of their games but I fancy they can be on target in both halves of football.

 

For additional interest I'm looking for the first goal to be scored with a header. John Stones thundered a header against the post for England in the group stage and Harry Maguire missed a good chance to nod England in front against Germany. With Harry Kane opening his account in the previous round with a header (albeit the second goal of the game) I see this as more than a novelty bet even though it is something of a speculative play.

 

Bets: England to score in both halves? (yes) at 12/10

How will the first goal be scored? Header at 32/10

 

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Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

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