Sports Gambling

Sports Betting: Euro Cup Preview, Prediction and Odds

Published

3 years ago

June 23, 2021

Imagine you’re on a first date. A first date where you brought your A+ game. You’re in the zone. It’s first and goal from the one and you’ve got the best offensive line out there. Checking every box for every category that you think is going to propel you into tranquil second-date waters. That’s not EuroCup betting.

But then the, “I’m just not feeling a connection” line flies from their mouth at the date’s end, and your momentum boat capsizes into freezing, shark-infested waters.

Welcome to Eurocup soccer: where everything that is going right can still go terribly wrong at the same time.

EuroCup, Sports Betting June 23, 2022

Look, if Spain having 85% possession, over 200 passes, and 17 shots vs. Sweden, just to end in a 0-0 draw doesn’t scare you straight from this tournament, then I guess you’re just an insatiable masochist. In that case, welcome to the group. Grab a seat, enjoy some stale donuts, cold coffee, and a few free bets from your gracious host.

Today is the final day of group stage matches in a Eurocup tournament that has seen some topsy-turvy, surreal results (elating and crushing sports betting) since this whole thing started 13 days ago. Denmark’s remarkable rally to earn a seat in the knockout stage despite falling to Finland on day two, in a game where Christian Eriksen tragically collapsed, teaching the world how fragile life can be. France beating Germany on an own-goal. Germany bouncing back by forcing two own goals in a span of two minutes vs. Portugal. Scotland holding England to a clean sheet.

What a wild ride it’s been.

Today, let’s sprinkle some of that Eurocup magic into our wallets.

Portugal vs. France picks EuroCup (June 23, 2021)

The good thing about Eurocup bets is that most of you bloody blokes have no idea what the hell I’m talking about. Shouldn’t take much to convince you, and we can spare the esoteric nonsense.

Simply put, France is in the knockout stage regardless of today’s outcome. For Portugal, a draw is needed for the 2016 Euro champs to feel safe about advancing through.

France and Portugal have not exactly been two teams on a mission in the group stage. Hours after it took 80 minutes for Port to finally break down a pesky but cellar-dwelling Hungary squad last week, France grabbed the serendipitous gift of the tournament, with an own goal by Germany that pushed the French to a 1-0 win. Germany would eviscerate Portugal in a 4-2 win four days later, while France had a miserable draw with Hungary.

Both of these teams will not sit back and play conservatively today. Cristiano Ronaldo, who already punched through three goals this tournament, will look to press and rattle the French defensemen – and he’ll probably have his way early. But while Portugal has become a one-man loaf of bread that turns sour in the final 45 minutes, France has the capabilities – and the depth – to shake these offensive cobwebs and bake their first true dominant gem of this tournament.

The Big Play We Like

France full time winner (+109, DraftKings)

The bonus from MGM is nice for the new sports bet crowd.

This team is too darn good on the offensive end to continue this uninspiring play. If ever Kylian Mbappe had a chance to break through and punch the back of the net, today, against a Portugal defense that just coughed up four goals in its last match, would be the day.

The Other Plays We Like

Kylian Mbappe to score (+140, FanDuel)

In France’s last 11 matches, Mbappe has just one goal. Yet, the premier forward for Paris Saint-German tickled the twine three times in five Eurocup qualifying matches. You cannot keep one of the world’s best goalscorers down for long, and if history proves anything right, today is the day he finally breaks through in this tournament.

Both team to score in 1H (+370, FanDuel)

1H over 1.5 goals (+215, FanDuel)

Like it was discussed before here, Portugal comes out fast, quick and furious in the first 45 minutes. I would expect that relentless rush once more today. France, with nothing to lose, will surely press the field harder to find offensive momentum.