Wales and Denmark kick off the knockout stages of Euro 2020 in Amsterdam at 2am Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Dragons thoroughly deserved to finish runners up of Group A after holding Switzerland in their opening game before sweeping Turkey aside in a 2-0 victory. They were brave but eventually fell short against group winners Italy, who are widely now considered as serious tournament contenders.<\/p>\n
Denmark qualified for the Round of 16 through some truly tragic circumstances after the harrowing cardiac arrest of their superstar midfielder Christian Eriksen in their opening game against Finland. The Danes eventually lost 1-0 to their northern European neighbours before being brave in defeat against Belgium.<\/p>\n
The Danes, who sat bottom of Group B heading into their final game, needed a big win against Russia to stand any chance of progressing. Fans in the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen were sent into delirium as their team dismantled Russia 4-1 and ultimately finished runners up of the group.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Team News<\/strong><\/p>\n Besides Ethan Ampadu who will be unavailable due to suspension, Wales manager Rob Page has no other players missing for selection.<\/p>\n Denmark manager Kasper Hjulman has been consistent with his team selections throughout the tournament and will not likely change the side who beat Russia so convincingly.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Players to Watch<\/strong><\/p>\n Mikkel Damsgaard: <\/strong>The 20-year-old became Denmark\u2019s youngest ever goal scorer at a major tournament with his stunner against Russia. With the absence of midfield maestro Eriksen, the young winger has taken on more attacking responsibility and has already proved in this tournament that he can handle the pressure.<\/p>\n Joe Rodon: <\/strong>The Tottenham centre-half has played every minute of the tournament so far and has been a rock in defence for Wales. Last match against Italy, he topped the Wales charts for most clearances, blocked shots and aerial duels won.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Key Stats<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Best Bets<\/strong><\/p>\n Match Result: Denmark ($1.80)<\/a><\/p>\n Anytime Goalscorer: Yussuf Poulsen ($3.40)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Euro 2020: Italy ($1.50) vs Austria ($7) \u2013 27th June @5am<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Tournament heavyweights Italy take on bordering neighbours Austria at Wembley at 5am Sunday.<\/p>\n The Azzurri have arguably been the most impressive team of the tournament so far, winning all three of their Group A matches without conceding a goal.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Austria guaranteed their progression to the Round of 16 after prevailing against Ukraine.<\/p>\n The Austrians impressed against the \u2018lesser\u2019 teams in Group C, also beating North Macedonia and finishing second behind tournament dark horse the Netherlands.<\/p>\n Italy\u2019s form is frightening. Roberto Mancini\u2019s Azzuri have now gone 30 games without defeat, the longest unbeaten run in the national team\u2019s history. Along the way, they have scored 31 goals since they have last conceded.<\/p>\n Mancini has proved that his Azzurri are a very talented squad, rather than team, rotating several of his players in Italy\u2019s 1-0 over Wales.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Team News<\/strong><\/p>\n Mancini will likely revert back to the team that won Italy\u2019s opening two games of Euro 2020.<\/p>\n Austria will likely not make any major changes to the team who defeated Ukraine to seal qualification to the knockout stage.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Players to Watch<\/strong><\/p>\n Marcel Sabitzer: <\/strong>The Austria midfielder is one of the first names written down on the team sheet for his country. The goal-scoring midfielder has been linked to some of the biggest clubs in Europe following his impressive form at club RB Leipzig.<\/p>\n Giorgio Chiellini: <\/strong>Albeit 36 years of age, the Italian captain is showing no signs of slowing down and has been pivotal to Italy\u2019s 11-game streak of clean sheets. Expect another colossal-like performance from the Juventus centre-half.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Key Stats<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Best Bets<\/strong><\/p>\n To Win To Nil: Italy ($2.10)<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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