After a stalemate in our last betting tip battle with Bookmaker Ratings, we’re tipping off against ESPN journalist Gabriele Marcotti once more this weekend.
Last choosing bets for the matches between England-Wales and Germany-Poland, the scores were 1-1, with a point for each correct tip; Gabriele correctly predicting a draw in the latter and Sturridge’s late winner seeing our tip of over 1.5 goals in the second half of the home nations clash come in.
This time out we’ll be looking at the Group F match-up between Iceland and Hungary and France’s final group game against Switzerland.
Gabriele’s tips
The bookmakers name Iceland as favourites here – it’s all because of the result of the draw against Portugal, no doubt. That was very impressive indeed, and it’s a great story. But I wonder if maybe they can be a little bit carried away here. I thought that game could have easily ended with a big win for Portugal, and if that happened, nobody would be making Iceland a favourites here.
Hungary on the other hand are coming off a 2:0 win over Austria. Tactically this one will be interesting as both teams played on the break in their opening games, but I think Hungary were very impressive against Austria and 2/1 on their win here is simply too big.
France obviously had a few wobbles against Albania just as they did against Romania in the opener. That’s why I guess they are not as big favourites as I would have expected. But Switzerland simply aren’t going to defend as well as Albania managed too in my opinion. They’ll feel the pressure to go for a win since a place in the Round 16 is pretty much locked up. And in all honesty I can see France winning again here, maybe going for France -1 goal handicap, that’s pretty generous at 5/2. If Switzerland attack which is likely, there should be plenty of space in behind for France’s pacey attacking players to exploit.
WhoScored’s tips
Iceland vs Hungary - full match preview
Both of these sides have come this far due to their defensive organisation and togetherness rather than any great quality within their ranks, so I’d expect this to be a tight, low scoring affair. The two underdogs in Group F secured arguably the biggest upsets of the opening round of fixtures, and while Iceland picked up an excellent point against Portugal, unfancied Hungary were particularly impressive in their win over Austria, securing the highest ream rating from WhoScored.com thus far (7.20).
Bernd Storck’s side would love to seal their progression to the next round with a win which could even enable them to top the group, but a draw wouldn’t be a bad result either. Iceland need all three points more ahead of their final group game with Austria, but I see this being a stalemate, stretching the odds further by backing under 2.5 goals to boot @3.50.
Switzerland vs France - full match preview
Hosts France may already be through to the round of 16 but they will be keen to end an underwhelming performance in Group A on a high. Indeed, if they were to slip up against Switzerland, Petkovic’s men would leapfrog Les Bleus to the top of the table, which will be incentive enough to really go at Deschamps’ side, safe in the knowledge that their place in the next round is all but assured.
With changes likely to be made to both sides I’d expect chances at either end and hopefully a more entertaining game than either have managed to produce thus far - with France having left it late against both Romania and Albania. The odds on the hosts to win are actually appealing enough @2.00, but I’d be tempted to look a little longer, opting for a France win and both teams to score @4.50.
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