Weekend Review: All eyes on England as Germany come to town on Tuesday
Italy's extra time victory over Austria following a 0-0 draw proved the most profitable event of the weekend for Kindred Group
Bookmakers revelled in the first rounds of knockout football at Euro 2020 as shock results and unexpected scorelines handed them an edge over punters.
The biggest shock of the round so far saw the Czech Republic – 5/1 shots before kick-off – ease past a lacklustre 10-man Netherlands side 2-0 thanks to fine finishes from Tomáš Holeš and Patrik Schick to set up a quarter-final tie against a resurgent Denmark.
The Danes (10/11), who lost their opening two games of the tournament, demolished Wales 4-0 in the round of 16 clash as they look to relive their famous Euro 92 win.
We continue like this. Next stop Baku. #EURO2020
Vi fortsætter i EM !!
Tak for stærk støtte i Amsterdam – og overalt i DK🙏#TeamWork #ForDanmark 🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/NIZB7n0AFF— Simon Kjær (@simonkjaer1989) June 26, 2021
Elsewhere, Italy (3/5) needed extra time to fend off a stubborn Austria side after the game finished goalless after 90 minutes, much to the delight of the layers.
Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “All round the knockout stages of Euro 2020 went our way as it kicked off over the weekend.
“Italy got through eventually after extra time against the Austrians, but the draw in 90 mins left it as our biggest winning event of the weekend by some distance, and the extra 30 mins pushed it to the top of the turnover pile as well.
“The Netherlands losing a man and then the match against Czech Republic meant that game was not too far behind the Italy game as our biggest winner of the weekend,” he added.
Eyes now turn to the tie of the round as England take on Germany at Wembley on 29 June with manager Gareth Southgate aiming to get revenge for the semi-final defeat in 1996.
Southgate, who infamously missed the penalty in the shootout 25 years ago, is looking to guide his young side to a Euro quarter-final for the first time since 2012.
William Hill’s Rupert Adams revealed England are currently backed by 50% of Hills punters, with 37% taking the side of the Germans and 13% hedging their bets on a draw.
England vs Germany.
At Wembley.
Southgate knows all too well. pic.twitter.com/GuVw66Udny
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) June 23, 2021
Adams said: “We haven’t really seen a patriotic punt come in yet for England. Early money came for Germany and they have shortened up so I would expect that England number to rise as we get closer to kick off and excitement builds and we should get to roughly 66% of bets on the Three Lions.”
On a potential penalty shootout, Adams noted: “The win on penalties market unsurprisingly has already seen some action, and it is pretty even, the split is the famous 52%-48% in favour of England.”
Betway’s Chad Yeomans added: “Looking ahead to Tuesday’s clash between England and Germany, the confidence behind the Three Lions is rising. They’ve been supported by the Betway punters, and I think the nation will continue to support them right up until kick-off.”
Elsewhere, in horseracing, Irish Derby favourite High Definition couldn’t live up to expectations after clipping heels just two furlongs into the race and never recovering.
Hurricane Lane ran out eventual winner at 4/1, edging out the Frankie Dettori ridden Lone Eagle in the final stages at Curragh.
Hurricane Lane reels in Lone Eagle to win the G1 Irish Derby 🏆🇮🇪pic.twitter.com/M2yVF1KeVn
— Godolphin (@godolphin) June 26, 2021
Gill said: “In the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday, favourite High Definition failed to deliver and could only manage 10th.
“Hurricane Lane got his nose ahead at the line to win at 4/1, and although the result left us in the black, he was fairly well supported and a good few punters still went home happy.”
Betfred’s Alan Firkins concluded: “A thrilling Derby was won by Hurricane Lane, reeling in Lone Eagle in the shadow of the post after Frankie had kicked clear three furlongs from home.
“In the stallion stakes, it was a case of Frankel putting one over Galileo. Something of a passing of the torch. Two absolute giants of the last 20 years,” he added.