The Round of 16 for Euro 2024 is underway, as dark horse teams Austria and Georgia pulled off stunning victories over the Netherlands and Portugal respectively to qualify for this stage of the tournament. As predicted, Spain, England and Germany finished first in their group. With the other qualifying nations preparing to begin Round 16, let’s look at the Euro 2024 Match Previews for certain key matches.
Switzerland will play Italy in Berlin as they hope to maintain their excellent momentum, while Denmark will face undefeated Germany at Dortmund. France and Belgium will compete in a clash of titans, and Portugal will seek to obliterate Slovenia.
Keep reading to see our breakdown of the key Euro 2024 matches to feature in the Round of 16 stage. We have also linked to the previews for all these matches on our website; containing betting tips and experts picks for each fixture.
Which Teams Will Play In A Euro 2024 Match For Round Of 16?
After the recently completed Euro 2024 group stage, 12 were confirmed from the top-two finishes in respective groups with four more entering as the best third-placed teams to make up the final 16.
Top Two Teams qualifying in the Round of 16 are:
- Germany.
- Switzerland.
- Spain.
- Italy.
- England.
- Denmark.
- Austria.
- France.
- Romania.
- Belgium.
- Portugal.
- Turkey.
Best third-placed teams qualifying for the Round of 16:
- Slovenia.
- Netherlands.
- Slovakia.
- Georgia.
Euro 2024 Match Previews With Venue And Date
Below are all the Euro 2024 match previews you can read about on MatchPlug.
- Switzerland VS Italy – June 29th at the Olympiastadion, Berlin.
- Germany VS Denmark – June 30th – at the BVB Stadion, Dortmund.
- England VS Slovakia – June 30th at the Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen.
- Spain VS Georgia – June 30th at the Cologne Stadium, Cologne.
- France VS Belgium – July 1st at the Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf.
- Portugal VS Slovenia – July 1st at Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt.
- Romania VS Netherlands – July 2nd at the Munich Football Arena, Munich.
- Austria VS Turkey – July 2nd at the Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig.
Euro 2024 Match Previews For Round Of 16
After 36 games, the Euro 2024 has moved on to the knockout stages, starting with the round of 16 which begins on the 29th of June 2024. On that note, let us examine the Euro 2024 match previews for all eight round of 16 matches:
1. Switzerland VS Italy
Switzerland has played surprisingly well so far in the tournament and came close to defeating Germany to top Group A. That was probably the best goal they’ve ever given up as they are in the easiest half of the draw. The match with the Germans proved that the Swiss have good defense. They were aggressive, well-organized, and managed to hold off the hosts for 92 minutes.
Besides their opening match loss to Hungary, Switzerland’s attack has struggled. They managed just four shots against the Germans and required Xherdan Shaqiri to score a wonder strike to defeat Scotland.
Italy on the other hand, waited until the last minute to clinch a spot in the last 16. They need Mattia Zaccagni to score in the 98th minute to play out a draw against Croatia. The Azzurri also struggled with their attack, starting their first two group games with a striker who scored only once in 19 international appearances.
Against Croatia, Mateo Retegui got a chance to lead the line, extending a drought that saw him score just once in his last 13 appearances for team and country.
Head-to-head Stats For Switzerland VS Italy
This match has ”Under” written all over it, and it won’t be shocking if both teams were to drag things out until penalties. Switzerland and Italy competed in the qualifying group at the 2021 World Cup and drew 0-0 and 1-1.
The Swiss have drawn six of their last 10 internationals with eight ending Under 2.5 goals, while six of the last eight Italian fixtures have ended in two or fewer goals.
Read the preview: Switzerland VS Italy: Preview and Expert Football Prediction.
2. Germany VS Denmark
Germany and Denmark will reenact the 1992 Euro final when they clash in Dortmund on Saturday 29th June, 2024. While the hosts have been undefeated in the contest with two wins and a draw, Denmark is yet to get a victory, ending all their group matches in a draw and scoring twice.
Entering this match as the underdogs, Denmark will take inspiration from their wondrous Euro 1992 finals performance in Gothenburg. In that game, they pulled off one of the largest final upsets ever, defeating Germany who were world champions then, by a 2-0 score to win their first and only major football title.
The Danes will look to midfielder Christian Eriksen and forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Jonas Wind to subdue Germany, who have a star packed lineup featuring Euro 2024’s joint-second top scorers Jamal Musiala and Niclas Fullkrug, including breakout star Florian Wirtz.
Before the knockout game, Julian Nagelsmann will make the hard decision: keep faith in underwhelming Kai Havertz in the starting lineup or star Fullkrug after his stoppage-time equalizer off the bench in the last match against Switzerland.
Head-to-Head Stats For Germany VS Denmark
Historically, Germany is almost unbeatable once they advance to the knockout stage at the Euros. All the 10 times Germany has advanced, they’ve reached the semifinals nine times and the final six.
Die Mannschaft are on the same level as Spain with three European Football Championship titles. Defeating Denmark in the round of 16 will put them one step closer to securing a fourth title; an honour as hosting nation. It will also be a perfect send off for Tooni Kroos, who will retire from football after the contest.
However, Denmark who reached the semifinals at the last edition of Euro 2020, are no easy pushovers for Germany.
Read the preview: Germany VS Denmark: Preview and Expert Football Prediction.
3. England VS Slovakia
England lost momentum after their first three performances, but they topped their group and are still the favourites in the futures market to win the whole tournament with odds of +350.
One thing working well in the team is their defence, Jordan Pickford has only been defeated once, and it took an unstoppable strike from 30 yards to do that. From strong foundation matches and tournaments, it is only a matter of time before Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham’s team enter the final third.
The Three Lions face Slovakia in the last 16, they are the third-placed qualifiers in Group F. This team surprisingly defeated Belgium on matchday, one who had many chances and two goals ruled out via marginal VAR decisions. They were defeated by Ukraine before drawing their last group game against Romania, a result that was favourite pre-kickoff, meaning both sides progressed.
Head-to-Head Stats For England VS Slovakia
England has won five of their last six matches against Slovakia and will do so again in their Round of 16 meeting, while maintaining a clean sheet. Variations for England “win to nil” are England win and Both Teams to Score = no or England win and under 0.5 Slovakia goals.
Read the preview: England VS Slovakia: Preview And Expert Football Prediction.
4. Spain VS Georgia
Spain is the only side that won all three of their matches so far. They still looked impressive when they made 10 changes for the fixture against Albania. Spain may have scored just five goals, but defeating Italy was one of the most one-sided 1-0 victories in the contest.
Luis de la Fuente’s side is playing a more direct and energetic style than they usually play. La Roja plays with a real width that allows their creative midfielders the space to identify key passes, and the head coach understands the tournament. Fuente led Spain to victory in the Nationals League last summer and watched the Under 19 and Under 21 national teams win their Euro titles.
Georgia has been amazing to watch; going from dark horses to fairytale favourites in a few weeks. The 74th-ranked team in the world by FIFA were expected to finish bottom of their group in what is their first major international tournament. But they achieved the unimaginable, with a potent, thrilling counter-attacking style.
Head-to-Head Stats For Spain VS Georgia
Spain and Georgia were in the same qualifying group. Spain won while finding the back of the net 25 times in their eight matches which saw an average of 3.75 goals per fixture. Georgia finished fourth and qualified through the back door, but their matches were the same average.
Large contributors to those totals were when the two nations played. Spain won both fixtures, a 3-1 victory on home soil which was overshadowed by a remarkable 7-1 win in Georgia. Three goals will produce a half-stake win here, but four or more will cash a full ticket.
Read the preview: Spain VS Georgia: Preview And Expert Football Predictions.
5. France VS Belgium
One thing France and Belgium have in common is that both teams have struggled in attack in this competition. While France (two-time world champions) have not scored from an open play so far, Belgium have scored just twice in three games.
Those stats are appalling especially with the talented attackers in these two star-packed teams. Les Blues has stars like Kylian Mbappe and veteran forward Antoine Griezmann, while Belgium has world-best playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne, and towering striker Romelu Lukaku.
Despite scoring just two goals in the group stage, an own goal against Austria and a penalty scored by Mbappe, France defender Saliba believes his team has what it takes to eliminate Belgium.
A weak attack is not the only problem Belgium has. Fans jeered and whistled at the team after their goalless group match draw with Ukraine in Stuttgart and captain De Bruyne told his players to leave the pitch without thanking the supporters.
Head-to-head Start For France VS Belgium
Belgium, are still playing for their first major football title, showing little dedication at the tournament for fans to believe that they can best France, who have won the Euros twice and are considered by most punters to be the tournament favourites.
Monday’s clash will be the 76th meeting between the two sides, although their first in the Euros since 1984.
Read The Preview: France VS Belgium: Preview and Expert Football Prediction.
6. Portugal VS Slovenia
Portugal VS Slovenia is one of the Euro 2024 match previews you don’t want to miss. Portugal secured their spot in the last 16 as soon as they could after winning their two opening fixtures. Their defeat to Georgia will not do much to diminish their standings in the contest, as they still finished as guaranteed group winners. Roberto Martinez also gave most of his lineup the night off.
With their stars well-rested for this game, that gives them a bigger edge against Slovenia who have qualified for the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time. One start who did not start against Georgia was Cristiano Ronaldo, who made a futile attempt in search of a goal in a sixth successive Euros. He was at least compensated with providing a tournament all-time record seventh assist when creating Bruno Fernandes’ goal in the 3-0 defeat of Turkey.
It will be interesting to see if Ronaldo will start again against Georgia, but the fact is Martinez has remarkable depth in his squad. Diogo Jota, Goncalo Ramos, and Joao Felix are all on standby as ideal options if the captain needs them.
Besides Denmark, Slovenia are one of only two sides in the final 16 who are yet to win in this year’s tournament. While the Portuguese reached the knockout stages easily, the Slovenians had to put in extra effort to be confirmed as the fourth and final best of the third-place finishers. They ended on less points than Ukraine who were eliminated after finishing at the bottom of group E.
Head-to-head Stat For Portugal VS Slovenia
Just five nations conceded more shots at their goal than Matjaž Kek’s men which will be disastrous against a Portugal side with goals throughout the club. Top scorers in qualifying are priced up as high as -278 on the Moneyline. With this bet, If Portugal only win by one goal, punters backing this will lose half of their stake.
Read the preview: Portugal VS Slovenia: Preview and Expert Football Prediction.
7. Romania VS Netherlands
The Netherlands were hugely disappointing in Group D, finishing third place behind Austria and France, and should be cautious of Romania on Tuesday. The Romanians are in the last 16 for the first time in 24 years after topping a tough Group E.
But Ronald Koeman, who called his team “appaling” after losing 3-2 to Austria, has been compensated for their underwhelming displays by being put on the easier side of the knockout bracket where England and Italy are the only top teams.
Read the preview: Romania VS Netherlands: Preview and Expert Football Prediction.
8. Austria VS Turkey
Austria and Turkey were two of the most thrilling teams back in the Euro 2024 group stage as they played rapid and interesting football. Not many expected Austria to emerge winners in a group stage that had football heavyweights France and the Netherlands, but Ralf Ragnick’s side did the unimaginable with their impressive attacking performance.
Having discarded their defensive mindset, Austria scored six goals in three group games with six different players securing a score, suggesting that they are well-balanced and unselfish in attack.
The Austrians, who have little star power and have not gone beyond the last 16, entered the tournament as dark horses but have now been elevated to title contenders. The first hurdle in Austria’s way will be rivals Turkey, whose campaign has been dramatic.
Arda Guler and Hakan Calhanoglu were among the goalscorers as Turkey delivered an impressive five times in the group stage. But they also conceded the same number of goals, showing how lacking in solidity their defence is.
Head-to-head Stats For Austria VS Turkey
Austria won 6-1 when these teams last met in a friendly in March but Turkey, the 2008 Euro semifinalists, are high on confidence this time and will probably pose a better challenge. But, the Turks will play the round of 16 match without inspirational captain Calhanoglu, who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards. His huge absence may be all the motivation the Austrians need as they attempt to reach the quarterfinals of the Euros for the first time.
Read the preview: Austria VS Turkey: Preview and Expert Football Prediction.
