Euros last 16 preview: Denmark fancied to slay Welsh dragons

Nobody wants to go home but somebody has to. It’s time for the knockout stages of the European Championship and that means agony for two nations on Saturday.

Wales are in action against Denmark, while tournament second-favourites Italy take on 150/1 rank outsiders Austria. We preview the action below.

One step too far for Wales?

Nobody is expecting Wales to go on and win the tournament at 80/1, but the attitude and ability Rob Page’s men have shown so far have been commendable and they have a live chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Though underdogs at 9/2 in their match-up with Denmark, who can be backed at 5/6, there’s a great buzz in and around the Welsh camp and they can’t be written off.

Denmark’s 4-1 win over Russia was impressive and that will have put a spring in their step for this last-16 clash, while history suggests that the 1992 champions only get better as the tournament goes on.

The draw, and extra-time, looks a fairly likely outcome at 21/10, while Gareth Bale leads the anytime goalscorer market for Wales at 5/2. Andreas Christensen, who rifled one home in Denmark’s latest win, can be backed at 20/1 to find the back of the net again. Work out your potential winnings with our easy-to-use online betting calculator.

While both nations have reasons to be optimistic about their chances of progressing, Denmark look worthy favourites and are fancied to make it three straight wins over Wales, having done the double over them in the 2018 Nations League. Furthermore, Denmark are the side that have had more attempts on goal than any other nation so far…

Italy set to continue perfect start

Arguably the most impressive team of the tournament so far, Italy have been chopped into 6/1 from a pre-tournament price of 8/1. The Azzurri have scored seven goals, the joint second-most in the tournament, and kept a joint-best (with England) three clean sheets.

Granted, a group consisting of Switzerland, Turkey and Wales didn’t provide the sternest of tests, but you can only beat what’s put in front of you and Roberto Mancini’s men have progressed in fine style.

Saturday’s opponents Austria appear to be one of the easier last-16 opponents on the block, and are currently the rank 150/1 outsiders for the tournament. But wins over North Macedonia and Ukraine should not be sniffed at, while losing to the Netherlands is no disgrace when you consider how well the Dutch played that night.

Italy are unsurprisingly the heavy 1/2 favourites for this tie, and Ciro Immobile is the man fancied to open the scoring at 7/2. Austria, ranked second so far for tackles made in the tournament, can be a tough unit to break down in defence and 0-0 is the fancied half time scoreline at 5/4.

Having kept three clean sheets on the bounce, Italy are 9/2 to win 1-0, 11/2 to seal a quarter-final spot with a 2-0 victory and 10/1 to breeze through 3-0.

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