Euros Predictor: Semi-Final Predictions!

We're now left with just 3 massive games in Euro 2020 as the final four have been decided!

After a couple of poor rounds, I said I needed some good picks in the quarter-finals so I was pretty pleased with 3/4 with 2 Exacts. Well done to anyone that backed a draw for Switzerland vs. Spain and anyone who had the confidence to go 4-0 England. It was quite strange for us England fans watching such an assured performance, it's supposed to be far more tense!

I think that's exactly what we'll get this week though as we're now set for the semi-finals which take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Here are my thoughts on each game. Feel free to leave your own in the comments.

🇮🇹 Italy vs. Spain 🇪🇸
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England vs. Denmark 🇩🇰

The #Euro2020 semi-finals are now set! pic.twitter.com/JGnQQAkpQw

— Superbru (@Superbru) July 3, 2021

Italy vs. Spain

Spain have scored a surprising number of goals since their opening two rounds but I think most agree that it's Italy who have looked the far better side so far in this tournament. Belgium was the first big test for the Azzurri and they played really well in my opinion, creating more than enough chances to win the game and their midfield once again proved just how good they are - Barella took his goal superbly.

You'd still expect Spain to have more of the ball in this game though, it's just that it remains hard to see exactly who will be the player they can count on for a huge goal to take them to the final. Despite the recent 5-goal displays they've managed against Slovakia (who were poor) and in that crazy game against Croatia, Spain still look as if they're crying out for their next David Villa or Fernando Torres. Given their chance creation and possession dominance, if they had a striker like that, they'd almost certainly be favourites for this tournament at the moment.

The above means that there's obviously still a fair chance of a Spain win if they can find a clinical edge on the day, but I think Italy are the team to pick. The Italians are just used to winning under Mancini and though it's very sad to see Spinazzola injured, especially as he's been one of the best players we've seen this summer, I think Emerson can slot in just fine as he's played plenty of minutes under Mancini before this tournament. Prediction: Italy 2-0 Spain

England vs. Denmark

What a tournament it has been for each of these two teams. Gareth Southgate and England can be absolutely delighted with how they have done so far - it's incredible that they're still yet to concede - while the performances Denmark have put in since Round 3 after everything they've had to deal with have been both impressive and inspiring.

So who's winning this semi-final then? I think Denmark may well be the first team to score against England in this tournament, but you have to say the home side are favourites. Home advantage will obviously be huge for England in this semi-final and the potential final if they make it but when you also take Saturday into account, it's England who should also be in better condition physically. By the end of Czech Repubic v Denmark, we saw both teams look pretty fatigued after a strong fight back from the Czechs in the second half whereas England made light work of Ukraine and were replacing key players (and players they didn't want yellow carded) after an hour.

Southgate has another decision to make in terms of team shape since Denmark, like Germany, have been playing with wing-backs and Joakim Maehle in particular has looked excellent, but England have already shown they can perform well in both a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-3 in this tournament. Denmark have been clever defensively themselves in recent games with their own tactical flexibility and they'll no doubt have a plan for attempting to keep Kane quiet but with Sterling in form, Luke Shaw suddenly becoming such a threat on the overlap and Harry Maguire adding an extra level at the back since returning from injury, I think England should have too much. Prediction: England 2-1 Denmark