Euro 2016 Bracket: Latest Title Odds, Predictions for Wednesday Group Fixtures
The round of 16 will finally be set in the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament with the conclusion of play on Wednesday.
A number of countries have already booked their places in the next round. For others, their fates are tied directly to how Groups E and F unfold. Allowing the four best third-place finishers to advance creates numerous permutations for the knockout stage.
Not only are some third-place teams unsure of their matchup in the round of 16, but they're also waiting to find out of they'll remain in Euro 2016 at all.
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On Wednesday, heightened attention will be paid in particular to Group F. Only Hungary has advanced to the knockout stages. It can fall from first to third depending on the group's final two matches.
Group E provides a little more clarity. Italy has already won the group by virtue of its wins over Belgium and Sweden.
Below are the title odds for the teams still remaining in the tournament, followed by a preview and predictions for Wednesday's final four group-stage clashes.
Euro 2016 Odds
| Spain | 3-1 |
| France | 4-1 |
| Germany | 9-2 |
| England | 9-1 |
| Belgium | 10-1 |
| Italy | 12-1 |
| Portugal | 16-1 |
| Croatia | 18-1 |
| Poland | 33-1 |
| Wales | 40-1 |
| Switzerland | 50-1 |
| Austria | 100-1 |
| Slovakia | 100-1 |
| Sweden | 100-1 |
| Hungary | 150-1 |
| Iceland | 150-1 |
| Republic of Ireland | 150-1 |
| Northern Ireland | 200-1 |
| Turkey | 200-1 |
| Albania | 250-1 |
Euro 2016 Fixtures
| Noon ET; 5 p.m. BST | F | Iceland | 1-1 | Austria | Austria (22-9); Iceland (3-1); Draw (5-2) |
| Noon ET; 5 p.m. BST | F | Hungary | 1-2 | Portugal | Portugal (4-9); Hungary (21-2); Draw (7-2) |
| 3 p.m. ET; 8 p.m. BST | E | Italy | 1-0 | Rep. of Ireland | Italy (16-11); Rep. of Ireland (12-5); Draw (9-4) |
| 3 p.m. ET; 8 p.m. BST | E | Sweden | 0-2 | Belgium | Belgium (8-9); Sweden (22-5); Draw (13-5) |
Wednesday Predictions
Ibrahimovic Looking at End of International Career
Wednesday could be the last time football fans see Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic suit up for the national team. The 34-year-old confirmed he won't make himself available for the 2016 Summer Olympics in August.
"The last game for Sweden in Euro will be my last game with Sweden," Ibrahimovic said, per ESPN FC. "So I hope it will not be tomorrow."
Anything short of a victory over Belgium will mean elimination for the Swedes.
The Belgians looked woeful in their 2-0 defeat to Italy to begin Euro 2016. The result seemingly confirmed every negative perception around the squad, most notably that manager Marc Wilmots is out of his depth on such a large stage.
Belgium was much better against the Republic of Ireland, brushing it aside 3-0 on the strength of a brace by Romelu Lukaku. SB Nation's Kevin McCauley hesitated to give Wilmots too much credit for the turnaround:
"I can't believe that using Belgium's best players in their best positions has them playing better soccer. Wilmots is a genius.
— Kevin McCauley (@kevinmccauley) June 18, 2016"
Replacing Marouane Fellaini in attacking midfield with Kevin De Bruyne was an obviously necessary change after the Italy match. After Laurent Ciman was exposed against Italy, Wilmots also needed to do something else at right back, and he did, starting Thomas Meunier.
Although beating Ireland doesn't prove Belgium is one of the world's best teams, it showed it can handle inferior opposition.
Ibrahimovic's movement and his skill on the ball could cause trouble for the Belgian defense, but it's hard to see from where the world-class striker will get support. For comparison's sake, Belgium got seven shots on target against Ireland, while Sweden didn't register a single one—its lone goal came on a deflection off Irish defender Ciaran Clark.
Wilmots will likely have one of Toby Alderweireld or Thomas Vermaelen shadowing Ibra at all times, in addition to using some help from midfield.
As long as Wilmots doesn't do something ridiculous, like moving De Bruyne back out on the wing and playing Fellaini as a No. 10, Belgium should have too much firepower for the Swedes.
Prediction: Belgium 2, Sweden 0
Ronaldo, Portugal Fighting to Avoid Embarrassing Exit
Euro 2016 couldn't be going much worse for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid star was mostly ineffective in Portugal's 1-1 draw with Iceland last Tuesday, and he missed a penalty that could've given his team three points over Austria:
As ESPN FC's Iain Macintosh wrote, it would be premature to count out Ronaldo and Portugal:
"But those who choose to write off the 31-year-old should tread carefully. For all of his shortcomings in this tournament so far, he was still making chances, such a danger that Austria had to focus all their strength on stopping him. He is ageing, he is tired after a long season and he is surrounded by players of a markedly lesser standard. But he is still Ronaldo.
"
The health of Andre Gomes will be a big question mark for manager Fernando Santos. Santos was unable to confirm whether the Valencia midfielder will play against Hungary, and the team will make a final decision Wednesday, per Portuguese football journalist Tom Kundert.
Gomes is Portugal's main creator in midfield, and he's capable of dropping back and helping the defense. If he's unavailable, breaking down the Hungarian back four will be difficult.
Assuming Portugal is at full strength, it should have enough to see off Hungary. All eyes have been on Ronaldo, but Nani might hold the key for his team. The Fenerbahce midfielder looked good in Portugal's first two games, and his movement in the center of the pitch could attract some of Hungary's attention away from Ronaldo.
Aside from Birkir Bjarnason's goal for Iceland, the Portuguese have otherwise looked solid at the back as well. Heading into the tournament, it looked like Ricardo Carvalho would be a liability at center back. Instead, the 38-year-old has instead paired well with Pepe.
Few fancied Hungary to beat Austria, and that's what it did. The Hungarians were very good on the counterattack, which could serve them well against Portugal.
Just because Hungary is through to the round of 16 doesn't mean coach Bernd Storck's team has nothing to play for. It won't want to drop to second or third in the group following such a strong start to the tournament. At the least, it'll be looking for a draw.
Hungary will frustrate its opponents, but a lot of desperation and a little luck will combine to give Portugal its first win of the group stage.
Prediction: Portugal 2, Hungary 1
Note: Euro 2016 odds are courtesy of Oddschecker.
