Euro 2020 Daily Report: Wales aim to end Danish dream

Bale and Ramsey key to Welsh success

Losing the final group game is never ideal, but in Wales' case, it didn't really matter too much. They had already secured their place in the knockout stage which allowed manager Rob Page to rest his players who were one booking away from missing this Round of 16 tie.

The Dragons, whose fans are not allowed to travel from the UK to Holland because of Covid restrictions, came through Group A with a draw against Switzerland, a win against Turkey and a defeat to group winners Italy. The 1-0 loss to the Italians was marred by the straight red card shown to Nathan Ampadu 10 minutes into the second half, but the Welsh did well to keep the Azzurri to just the one goal.

Getting to the knockout stage was top of Wales' wish list and now that has been achieved, the sky is the limit. Wales were one of the final four teams at Euro 2016, and they can be backed at 9.28/1 to reach the semi-finals this summer. Wales will be without the services of Ampadu who is suspended after becoming the youngest player ever to be sent off at a European Championship at the age of 20.

Wales are 4/1 to beat Denmark within 90 minutes at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Both teams to score does not happen often in games involving the Welsh. Their 1-1 draw in Group A was the only time in their last seven games in which BTTS has paid out. In fact, of Wales' last 18 matches, both teams have scored in just three. Both teams not to score can be backed at 1.695/7 on the exchange.

Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are the crucial cogs in this Welsh team and they have combined very well throughout this tournament so far. Bale provided the assist for Ramsey to score the opening goal against Turkey and Wales need the pair to shine again. Bale is 7/1 to provide an assist in this tie while Ramsey is 6/1 to be anytime scorer.

Read Mark Hughes' thoughts on Wales v Denmark here

Dangerous Denmark inspired by Eriksen

Denmark's difficult summer got a lot better on Monday when they beat Russia 4-1 to climb from bottom of Group B to finish runners-up and set up this clash with Wales. That performance showed the world that Kasper Hjulmand's side are determined to go as far as they can in honour of their team-mate Christian Eriksen.

Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in their opening group game loss to Finland. The toll that incident took on his colleagues was clear for all to see and the players could have been forgiven for giving up and going home.

However, it's evident that the Danes are playing for Eriksen and who knows where that inspiration can take them. They began the tournament at 25/1, drifted to 60/1 but they can be backed at 23.022/1 on the exchange to win their second Euros and their first since 1992.

Denmark are the only team to reach the knockout stage after losing their first two group matches.

The Danes have got the better of Wales in their two most recent meetings, which came in the Nations League. Eriksen scored both Denmark's goals in a 2-0 in Aarhus in September 2018. Two months later, Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite were both on the scoresheet for the Danes in Cardiff. Denmark, who have converted a tournament low 8.2 per cent of their chances, are 20/23 to beat Wales in normal time.

Braithwaite has yet to score in Euro 2020, and the Barcelona forward is 23/10 to correct that this weekend. Yussuf Poulsen is looking to score in the third successive match and the RB Leipzig man is 11/5 to be an anytime scorer. Extra-time and penalties are possible from now on and Denmark are 4/11 to reach the quarter-finals while Wales are 15/8 to advance one way or the other.

Read Dave Tindall's preview and tips for Wales v Denmark here

Austria have nothing to lose against Italians

On Tuesday night, the tournament came within six minutes of recording the first major shock when Hungary led Germany 2-1. But the Germans found a late equaliser. Austria beating Italy would certainly be the shock of this tournament which is why their odds of pulling off a shock are 15/2.

The Austrians have been written off and many wallcharts probably have the Italians progressing, but the underdogs will be thinking their opponent's 30-game unbeaten run has to end some time. Why not now? Why not them? It would be in Austria's best interest to keep this game as scrappy as possible to prevent Italy from settling into their groove.

Chances may be few and fair behind for Austria so when set pieces do come their way, they have to make the most of them while being strong defensively. The Austrians have players who can trouble Italy like the enigmatic Marko Arnautovic. Arnautivic has crammed a lot into these Euros with a goal, a crazy and controversial goal celebration which resulted in a one-game ban.

Arnautovic is 7/2 to be an anytime scorer while Hoffenheim midfielder Christoph Baumgartner, who became the youngest scorer at Euro 2020 when netting the only goal against Ukraine, is 7/1 to score at any time. Up against such a good defence, scoring just one goal would be a great achievement and the Austrians can be backed at 2.021/1 to score over 0.5 goals.

Italy look to continue perfect run

Italy have been making headlined at the Euros with their impressive performances on the pitch and their stylish looks off it. The Azzurri's 1-0 win over Wales last Sunday extended their unbeaten run to 30 matches which equalled their best ever streak set 82 years ago.

Manager Roberto Mancini would happily surrender that impressive sequence if it meant his team could go on and lift the Henri Delaunay trophy at Wembley on July 11. If that happens, Italy's unbeaten run will be extended to 34, but the former Manchester City boss will not be getting ahead of himself. The Italians are 7.87/1 on the exchange to win Euro 2020.

Italy have gone 1,055 minutes without conceding a goal.

It's been almost 18 hours since Dutchman Donny van de Beek became the last player to score against the Italians who will be hoping to have Giorgio Chiellini back from injury to marshall their defence. Italy are 2.285/4 on the exchange to win to nil.

Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne and Manuel Locatelli scored five of Italy's six goals in their opening two games, but all three were rested for the Wales win and after nine days rest, they will all be hungry for more goals. In the first goal market, Immobile leads the way at 7/2, Insigne is 11/2 while Locatelli is 13/1 to score first like he did against the Swiss.

Read Dave Farrar's preview and tips for Italy v Austria here

England need to forget the past to have a future

The countdown to England's biggest game since their World Cup semi-final three years ago continues as they prepare to face Germany at Wembley on Tuesday. Three more sleeps, that's all. These two nations will be meeting for the eighth in a major tournament, which is the most of any of the opponents England have faced.

The Germans have won four of the previous seven meetings and they are 3.052/1 on the exchange to beat England at the Wembley while Gareth Southgate's side start as 6/4 favourites.

England have won two of the eight penalty shootouts they have been involved in. Germany have won six of the seven penalty shootouts they have been involved in.

Would anybody be surprised if this game was decided by penalties? Germany hold a 2-0 lead in shootouts with England, who will no doubt be reminded of that fact over the coming days. The best thing England's current players can do is forget the past and write their names in their own glorious history.

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden revealed the Three Lions have been practicing spot kicks in training just in case. England can be backed at 10.09/1 to win on penalties, while the Germans are 9/1 to win after another shootout.

A rivalry that needs no hyping up, was cranked up to the next level once this fixture was confirmed when the German social media team tweeted - 'Es kommt nach hause' which roughly translates to 'It's Coming Home'. One way or another we will hear the song made famous by Frank Skinner and David Baddiel a few times at Wembley.