Match previews

FRANCE’S quest to add a Euros crown to their 2018 World Cup trophy continues with a potential banana skin against Switzerland.If Les Bleus dispatch their neighbours a quarter-final duel with Croatia or Spain will be next.
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Karim Benzema and France hope to win the Euros following the country’s 2018 World Cup winCredit: EPA
Xherdan Shaqiri hopes to add to his tally of three goals at this year’s EurosCredit: Getty – Pool
Tonight’s clash will be the two teams’ fifth meeting in a major competition with the rivals having played each other twice in the European Championship and World Cup. 

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But the game at Romania’s National Arena will be their first in the knockout round of a top football tournament. 
The last-16 clash between France and Vladimir Petkovic’s Swiss aces will kick-off at 8pm 
And fans can watch the game on ITV1 following the channel’s of Croatia’s clash with Spain.  
What’s the form?
France and Switzerland have played each other on 38 occasions with the last Euros encounter between the sides ending 0-0. 
The World Cup winners have gone unbeaten in their last seven meetings with their opponents although four of their last five games have ended in draws. 
Petkovic’s side, skippered by Granit Xhaka, 28, finished third in Group A following a draw with Wales, a loss to Italy and a win against Turkey.  
Granit Xhaka and Switzerland will play France for the first time in the knockout phase of a major tournamentCredit: EPA
And Didier Deschamps’ players topped their group without losing a game following.
Their results include a win against Germany and two draws including a shock score draw against plucky minnows Hungary. 
And their final group stage game saw Karim Benzema, 33, finally score on his return from a lengthy international exile with a brace against Portugal. 

Who’s in and who’s out 
France are enduring a crisis with injuries with Ousmane Dembele out for the rest of the competition. 
And the team are sweating on the fitness of Lucas Digne, 27, after the Everton left-back was forced to withdraw from his side’s clash with Portugal due to a thigh-strain. 
Deschamps may have to turn to Adrien Rabiot, 26, as an emergency full-back alternative to Digne if Lucas Hernandez fails to recover from a knee injury.  
Adrien Rabiot may be called upon to play as a full-back for France against SwitzerlandCredit: Getty
However PSG star Rabiot has been contending with an ankle problem. 
And it remains to be seen if Marcus Thuram, 23, and Thomas Lemar, 25, will be available with both picking up knocks in training ahead of this evening’s game. 
It is reported Thuram hurt his thigh while Lemar suffered a leg injury. 
Meanwhile, Switzerland reportedly have no injury or suspension worries with defender Ricardo Rodgriguez claiming the Red Crosses are fit and ready to go.
Anything can happen in a tournament. We are fit and ready. We have to be compact in defence and use our few chances. We know the French have a fantastic bench. We will give it all we have. We have already practised penalties and almost everyone scored.Ricardo Rodriguez – Switzerland full-back

Watch out for…….
Xherdan Shaqiri becoming Switzerland’s highest scorer at the Euros. 
The Liverpool winger’s brace against Turkey saw him equal Hakan Yakin’s record of three goals at a European Championship – the all-time record for a Switzerland player. 
And Kylian Mbappe who was prolific for PSG last term – netting 27 Ligue 1 goals in 31 games – will hope to open his Euros scoring account tonight.
Xherdan Shaqiri is hoping to become Switzerland highest ever scorer at a European ChampionshipCredit: Pro Sports Images

If the game is rubbish….
Leonita Lekaj will no doubt be cheering on her husband Granit Xhaka just as she did during Switzerland’s run in the 2016 Euros. 
The 29-year-old model and the Arsenal midfielder have been together six years and have two children. 
Granit Xhaka’s wife Leonita Lekaj
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Match odds?

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BELGIUM and Portugal’s duel is one of the most highly-anticipated clashes of the Euros knockouts stages.  Tonight’s match will see Roberto Martinez’s side take on the 2016 European champions with both teams boasting two of the world’s most talented forwards. 
Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team-mates hope to retain their Euros crownCredit: Getty
Romelu Lukaku is targeting a Euros quarter-finals spot with BelgiumCredit: Getty
Romelu Lukaku, 28, and Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, have been in fine form in the tournament and on fire for their Serie A sides. 
Inter Milan’s Lukaku, who has netted three goals in three games so far in the Euros, has been at the heart of some Belgium’s best attacking displays. 

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Meanwhile Juventus star Ronaldo, 36, became the contest’s all-time top scorer with 11 goals breaking Michel Platini’s record of nine. 
The match between Belgium and Portugal will kick-off at 8pm at Sevilla’s Estadio La Cartuja ground in Spain. 
And the game can be watched on ITV1 with a preview broadcast at 7:15pm. 

What’s the form?
This last-16 encounter between the nations will be their nineteenth clash on the international stage 
And Portugal have won on six occasions with Belgium beating them in five. 
Martinez’s men finished top of Group B after beating Finland, Denmark and Russia. 
And the team currently ranked the world’s best by Fifa have conceded one goal so far in the contest. 
Portugal drew 2-2 with France in their final group game before their clash with BelgiumCredit: Rex
Belgium will be pushing for a better outcome in this year’s European Championship than their showing in the 2016.contest 
Back then the team fell to a shock 3-1 defeat to Wales at the Allianz Arena after taking a 13th-minute lead.

Belgium have been on a 27-game unbeaten run with their last defeat coming against France in the World Cup semis in July 2018. 
And their last clash with Fernando Santos’ Portugal was an international friendly in June 2018 which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Belgium is certainly a difficult opponent, number one in the world. We already know them but we will analyse them to see what has changed. I am sure we will be at our best in Seville. We’re a tough team to beat.Fernando Santos – Portugal Football Manager
Meanwhile, Portugal, who finished third in their group, are looking to beat Belgium for the first time since March 2016. 
Santos’ aces, who are ranked the fifth best in the world, are dreaming of winning a second successive Euros crown following their 2016 triumph. 
And the team will be boosted by the electric form of skipper Ronaldo and the performances of Renato Sanches and Prem stars Diogo Jota and Bernardo Silva who have all impressed. 

Who’s in and who’s out 

Renato Sanches, 23, could be set to keep his place in Portugal’s starting line-up following his standout performance during their 2-2 draw with France. 
The Lille star, who started in place of Bruno Fernandes, gave Didier Deschamps aces a run for the money in midfield. 
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard, 30, and Kevin De Bruyne, 29, could be set to keep their places in Belgium’s attack with Thomas Vermaelen and Dedryck Boyata likely to retain their spots in defence. 
Renato Sanches has been wowing fans and pundits with his displays for PortugalCredit: The Mega Agency
Thomas Vermaelen could be set to start for Belgium when they take on Portugal at Sevilla’s home groundCredit: AFP
Watch out for…….
Cristiano Ronaldo breaking men’s football’s all-time international goals record. 
The Portugal and Juventus superstar shows little sign of slowing down at the age of 36. 
The veteran winger is currently level with Iran football icon Ali Daei who has netted 109 times for his country. 
Should Ronaldo score this evening he will become the highest-scoring international player in the men’s game. 
Ronaldo hopes to break the record for the highest number of international goals scored by a player in men’s footballCredit: Getty

If the game is rubbish….
Ines Degener Tomaz will most likely be cheering on her partner Bernardo Silva and his Portugal team-mates. 
The 23-year-old, who was born in Lisbon, enjoys a successful career as a model. 
And Tomaz’s sister Mariana represented Portugal at the 2017 Miss Global pageant. 
Ines Degener Tomaz pictured with her partner Barnardo SilvaCredit: Ines Degener Tomaz Instagram
Fancy a punt? 
Get all your Euro 2020 ante-post tips with our tournament betting guide HERE.
Match odds?

*All odds correct at time of publication
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FRANK DE BOER’S aces aim to seal a Netherlands win against the Czech Republic for the first time since 2005. But their resolve will be tested this afternoon by opponents who held the world’s highest-ranked football side to a draw in March.
Gini Wijnaldum hopes to lead the Netherlands to a third win against Czech Republic since 2004Credit: AP
Jaroslav Silhavy’s side have won their last two matches played against the NetherlandsCredit: Getty
The last encounter between the Flying Dutchman and their Czech opponents was a Euros qualifier fixture in October 2015.  
That game ended in a 3-2 win for Jaroslav Silhavy’s side. 
And his players would notch up another European Championship qualifier victory against the Netherlands that year later narrowly dispatching side managed then by Guus Hiddink.  

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Today’s last-16 clash between the teams takes place in the Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest, Hungary with kick-off scheduled for 5:00pm . 
And the game can be watched on ITV1 with a preview airing at 4:15pm. 
What’s the form?
The Netherlands have enjoyed a storming start to their Euros campaign winning all three of their group stage encounters. 
Meanwhile the Czech Republic have had a mixed yet solid start picking up a draw, a win and a loss from their group game exchanges. 
Their defeat in the tournament’s group stage came against England at Wembley with Silhavy’s side falling to a 1-0 loss. 

The countries have played each other four times since September 2004 and have won two matches each.
And the Czech Republic have lost just four of their last 11 international games and picked up a 1-1 Euros qualifier draw against Belgium who are currently ranked the number one team in the world.
We will have to be top notch to get a good result against the Czech Republic. They showed what they can do in the group stage, we will have to work hard. Frank de Boer – Netherlands manager
Frank de Boer is expecting a tough game against Jaroslav Silhavy’s sideCredit: AP
Who’s in and who’s out 
The Czech Republic, whose players include West Ham aces Thomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, will be without Jan Boril against the Netherlands.
The Slavia Prague left-back is serving a one-match ban following a caution he received for tripping Bukayo Saka during his team’s loss to England. 
Reports claim Boril, who is a trusted figure within his national side, could be replaced by right-back Ales Mateju. 
And it is thought Alex Kral or Thomas Holes could partner Thomas Soucek in central midfield. 
Meanwhile Luuk de Jong has been ruled out for the rest of the Euros with a knee injury. 
The Sevilla striker is reported to have sustained the injury in training following a collision with Netherlands team-mate Cody Gakpo. 

Watch out for…….
Memphis Depay
The Netherlands forward is enjoying an impressive run in front of goal in the Euros following on from his ruthless performance in the tournament’s qualifiers. 
Depay, who sealed a free transfer to Barcelona from Lyon this month, netted six goals in six qualification matches for his national side. 
And the former Man United player bagged two goals in his team’s group stage wins against North Macedonia and Austria. 
And Vladimir Coufal’s crosses into the Netherlands box could potentially cause problems for Frank de Boer’s defence. 
The Hammers full-back provided a pinpoint assist for Patrick Schick’s opener against Scotland with the Czech Republic nabbing a 2-0 matchday one win. 
Memphis Depay will be looking to net his third goal in the Euros laterCredit: AFP
Vladimir Coufal’s crosses to Patrick Schick could cause problems for Frank de Boer’s defenceCredit: SNS

If the game is rubbish….
Tereza Kaderabkova, 30, will be hoping her husband Pavel Kaderabek and his Czech Republic team can seal their third international win in a row against the Netherlands. 
The football journalist traded her job as a model for a TV career reporting on the game. 
The couple who married in 2017 have two daughters Ema and Elva. 
And they split their time between the Czech Republic and Germany where Kaderabek plays for Hoffenheim.
Tereza Kaderabkova swapped her career in modelling to become a football reporterCredit: Instagram
Fancy a punt? 
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Match odds?

*All odds correct at time of publication
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ITALY are plotting to beat Austria for the seventeenth time in their history as they bid to win their second European Championship.The 2012 finalists present a formidable challenge to their rivals this evening with Roberto Mancini’s aces yet to concede a goal in the tournament. 
Manuel Locatelli is looking to net his third goal in the Euros after nabbing a brace against SwitzerlandCredit: Getty
David Alaba has warned Austria will pose a threat to ItalyCredit: AFP
The duel between the Azzurri and Franco Foder’s stars will take place tonight at Wembley Stadium. 
And their clash will be aired on BBC1 from 8pm.

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What’s the form? 
Mancini’s players will be buoyed by their red hot run in Group A.
They sealed maximum points from their first three games scoring seven goals.
And Italy enjoyed more than 60 per cent of possession last time out during their 1-0 win against Wales.
Marco Verratti was at the heart of Italy’s dominant display against Wales pulling the strings for the team in midfield.
And the majestic Paris Saint-Germain ace could be in contention for a start against Austria.

Meanwhile, Austria skippered by Real Madrid summer signing David Alaba, won two of their opening three clashes in the tournament. 
And the team have lost four of their last 14 games international stage.
Defeats include a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands in their second group stage encounter of this tournament.
We’ve all seen how Italy played in the group stages. But we are here to dream and I believe anything is possible in football.David Alaba – Austria captain

Who’s in and who’s out
Reports claim Giorgio Chiellini is unlikely to be fit to start for Italy after sustaining a muscle injury during their 3-0 defeat of Switzerland. 
The Juventus centre-back, 36, was spotted training separately to his team-mates. 
It is also thought Alessandro Florenzi, 30, could be unavailable for selection with the full-back still recovering from a calf injury picked up during his team’s clash with Turkey.
Giorgio Chiellini is expected to miss Italy’s clash with Austria due to a muscle problemCredit: AP
And Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner is likely to be unavailable after going off with a head injury during his side’s win against Ukraine. 
The striker, 21, netted his team’s only goal against Andriy Shevchenko’s side. 
However Austria will be able to call upon the services of Marko Arnautovic.
The Shanghai Port striker, who played for West Ham from 2017 to 2019, can return to action following a one-match ban for “insulting another player”. 
Markus Arnautovic will be available for selection after serving a one-match banCredit: Reuters

Watch out for….. 
Nicolo Barella. The Inter Milan star, 24, has been turning heads with his performances for club and country with some pundits in Italy describing him as the best midfielder in Europe. 
And Chelsea ace Jorginho believes his compatriot’s style of play is similar to that of Blues midfield dynamo N’Golo Kante. 
Barella set up Manuel Locatelli’s second goal in their impressive win against Switzerland.
In this phase of the tournament, there are no easy opponents. We know that. Italy haven’t lost for an eternity, but perhaps there will come a time when they lose again.Franco Foda – Austria manager
Nicolo Barello’s midfield performances have earned him praise from pundits and fansCredit: AFP

If the game’s rubbish 
Jessica Melena is likely to be cheering on her partner Ciro Immobile, 31, as he bids to help Italy triumph in the tournament. 
The 30-year-old, who has a degree in criminology and forensics, has been living with the Lazio forward since 2012. 
And the couple have three children together. 
Ciro Immobile’s partner Jessica MelenaCredit: Instagram / @jessicamelena
Fancy a punt? 
Get all your Euro 2020 ante-post tips with our tournament betting guide HERE.
Match odds?

*All odds correct at time of publication.
Italy vs Austria FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Euro 2020 match
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