Former Celtic star Chris Sutton has made a few daring predictions for the upcoming 2024 European Championship (EURO 2024) semi-finals. Sutton has backed France to beat Spain within the first semi-final on Tuesday (July 9) and England to beat the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Spain & Netherlands Have Appeared Sharper Than France & England
Three-time European champions Spain have been in blistering kind in EURO 2024. They’ve performed eye-catching soccer all through the competitors, sustaining a 100% file. Luis de la Fuente’s facet, who’ve scored a joint-best (degree with Germany) 11 targets, overcame Germany to succeed in the semi-finals, beating the hosts 2-1 in additional time.
Their last-four opponents, France, in the meantime, have been completely goal-shy, scoring solely thrice in 5 video games. They’ve but to attain from open play, with two being personal targets and the opposite coming from the penalty spot. Kylian Mbappe and Co. beat Portugal on penalties within the quarter-finals after enjoying out a goalless attract additional time.
Like France, England have additionally didn’t dwell as much as expectations. They’ve scored simply 5 targets in as many video games and narrowly scraped previous Switzerland within the quarter-finals, beating them on penalties.
The Netherlands, alternatively, had a sluggish begin to EURO 2024, however have picked up the ante within the knockouts. They beat Romania 3-0 within the Spherical of 16 earlier than beating Turkiye 2-1 within the quarter-finals. They performed scintillating, eye-catching soccer in each matches.
Chris Sutton Makes Daring Predictions For EURO 2024
Regardless of Spain and the Netherlands’ gorgeous showings, Sutton is predicting they may crash out of the competitors. In his BBC column, Sutton backed France and England to suffocate them after which grind out a victory. Ominously for La Roja and Oranje, Sutton was spot on with all 4 of his quarter-final predictions.
Sutton began with England vs Netherlands, saying:
“I don’t suppose something goes to drastically change in the way in which England play – they don’t seem to be going to all of a sudden discover some wonderful patterns of play that break the Netherlands down. As a substitute, if England are going to succeed in their second successive Euros closing, they will need to depend on particular person brilliance once more.
“I’ve not simply been blindly backing them to get via every knockout spherical in Germany however they’re undoubtedly on the extra light facet of the draw. That is their hardest recreation but, and it will be very shut, however I do suppose England will edge it… in some way.”
Discussing the conflict between Spain and France, he added:
“In fact [Kylian] Mbappe might play just like the celebrity he’s, or [Ousmane] Dembele might trigger Marc Cucurella issues if he begins… however it’s extra probably that France will simply smother Spain and, even when they don’t play nicely, get the job achieved.”
Sutton has predicted that each England and France will safe 2-1 victories to maneuver into the EURO 2024 closing.
