Euro 2020. Predictions for 17th June 2021.

Ukraine versus North Macedonia.

Group C

Arena Nationala, Bucharest. 2:00 pm.

Ukraine, while beaten by the Netherlands still scored two goals and still looked like a team that will probably make the second round of this tournament. Their defence did not look good against the Netherlands, and it should have been a more comfortable victory for the Dutch.

North Macedonia, are a team that I really don’t know a lot about, but I expect them to lose all three of their group games.

Verdict: Ukraine 3 North Macedonia 2.

Denmark versus Belgium.

Group B.

Parken Stadium, Copenhagen. 5:00 pm.

Denmark have been through something bigger then sport, with the collapse and heart attack of Christian Ericsson. It will hard to read into a team that has suffered a trauma of almost losing a player this way on the pitch.

Belgium have gone into this tournament ranked FIFA’s number one international team in the world. Belgium won their opening match quite comfortably with a 3-0 win over Russia with players like Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel to return. Kevin De Bruyne might make a return this evening Source (Man City get Kevin De Bruyne injury boost ahead of Belgium vs Denmark in Euro 2020 – Manchester Evening News).

Verdict: Belgium 2 Denmark 0. Belgium with De Bruyne returning and Lukaku looking like he could be the competition’s top goal scorer to win comfortably, and make to the last sixteen.

Netherlands versus Austria

Group C

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam. 8:00 pm.

The Netherlands national football team looked good, without being overly convincing against Ukraine, last Sunday. The Dutch looked very good going forward with impressive performances from Wijnaldum, Frenkie De Jong and the two wing backs (Dumfies and Van Aanholt). Holland almost dropped points with five minutes of sloppiness conceding two goals, suggesting a team that is good to watch, but can be got at.

Austria are a team with some very good players, but flatter to perform sometimes. Some of Austria players like Alaba and Sabitzer would make most of the teams in the competition.

Verdict: Netherlands 2 Austria 1. Netherlands will attack, but I don’t see them keeping a clean sheet.

(C). Ferdia O’Mahony 2021.