Euro 2020: Quarter-Final predictions

This summer's Festival of Football is nearing it's conclusion but what a final week we have in store at the European Championships.

After a sensational round of 16, the quarter-finals take place over Friday and Saturday.

Matchday FM pundits Chris Stott, Chris Coughlin and Harry Reynolds give their predictions on how the drama will unfold...

Switzerland v Spain - Friday 2nd July, 5pm

Chris Coughlin

The two winners from 'Magic Monday' go head-to-head in St Petersburg. Extra-time at the beginning of the week, however, came about in contrasting ways for the teams. Spain led 3-1 against Croatia with five minutes to play only be pegged back to 3-3 before Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal finished clinically in the extra 30 minutes for a 5-3 win. Switzerland, meanwhile, pulled off the unthinkable by coming from 3-1 down in the final 10 minutes, having already missed a penalty, to draw 3-3 with World Champions France and knock Les Bleus out on spot-kicks. I wasn't impressed with Spain's performances in their first two games but the goals have flowed ever since and, while it was a huge display by the Swiss in Bucharest, Vladimir Petković's men have conceded 11 big chances so far. You cannot afford to do that at this level and Spain will be able to punish them.

Prediction: 0-2

Chris Stott

Well, these sides dished up two absolutely classic round of 16 ties. The character shown by the Swiss against the French was simply incredible. And they showed quality. Spain dug deep after almost throwing the tie away after Croatia. The Spanish have started scoring goals out of no where, but so have the Swiss. While I dint think we'll get another classic, I do think there will be goals. But Spain do have more quality.

Prediction: 1-2

Harry Reynolds

I didn’t expect either of these teams to reach this stage, to be honest. Spain’s squad isn’t great and I thought they were poor against Sweden and Poland, while Switzerland were torn apart by Italy, but their resilience against France has to be commended. I still don’t really rate Spain but I just see them getting through here.

Prediction: 0-1

Belgium v Italy - Friday 2nd July, 8pm

Chris Stott

Now this could be special! So much talent. But then again, they could cancel each other out... Italy looked superb in the groups, but got very lucky against Austria. Belgium showed brilliant resolve against the Portuguese. They'll need it again, and one of their star men to produce that moment. I fancy this going all the way, with the Belgians prevailing.

Prediction: 1-1 (Belgium on penalties)

Harry Reynolds

This might just be the tie of the entire tournament. Although Italy haven’t beaten a single “big” opponent, they strolled through their group. You would have to be very concerned with their performance against a weak Austria side, and the attacking threat of Belgium could do so much more damage. Roberto Martinez’s team haven’t got the credit they deserve for stringing four wins together, beating Portugal and Denmark in the process. I think they’re the stand out team left in the tournament and should win this.

Prediction: 2-0

Chris Coughlin

Well I know how I'm spending my Friday night. This a meeting between two of the most impressive sides in the tournament so far, even if Italy did struggle to see off Austria in the last-16. In the group stage, they showed a really offensive, pressing style of play that we never normally associate with Italian teams but they look a different outfit under Roberto Mancini. Belgium came into this tournament as the number one ranked nation in the world and I think their performances have shown a professionalism and maturity combined with quality to justify that. Their hopes against Italy could depend on whether Kevin De Bruyne wins his race in time to be fit for the game after the Manchester City maestro was forced off against Portugal on Sunday. I can see this being a real tactical battle of wits but it's not one to be missed.

Prediction: 2-1 (AET)

Czech Republic v Denmark - Saturday 3rd July, 5pm

Chris Coughlin

Hands up, who expected the Netherlands to be here? Frank De Boer's side were electric in the group stage but were ruthlessly exposed by the Czechs in Budapest. Even before Matthijs de Ligt's moment of madness, the 1996 finalists were easily the better side. Their deserved breakthrough ultimately came through Tomas Holes before Patrick Schick added a second and he will be the dangerman again on Saturday evening. Denmark's road to Baku has been emotional in the extreme but I've been so impressed with how this squad have bounced back from the traumatic events in Copenhagen in just the third match of the tournament. I was always confident they'd beat Wales but, in winning 4-0, they showed real quality throughout. This might not be the stand out tie of the round but I think it has the potential to be a game for the ages.

Prediction: 2-3

Harry Reynolds

Fair play if you predicted this quarter final! The Czechs looked very decent against the Netherlands, although their opponents’ strength was exacerbated by their weak group. If you discount the extenuating circumstances in the Finland game, Denmark have been excellent. They made Belgium work very hard in defeat, but then totally dismantled Russia and Wales. Those teams aren’t particularly good, but the way Denmark went about it was very impressive. They were my dark horses for Euro 2020, and I think they’ll have enough here.

Prediction: 1-2

Chris Stott

The Danes have been superb their last 2 matches and have shown incredible strength after the difficulties they've faced. Damsgaard and Christensen have been stand outs for me and as a group they've been brilliant to watch. The Czechs have shown moments of grit, steel and class. They were excellent vs the Dutch. But I think the wave of emotion will carry Denmark a step further.

Prediction: 0-2

Ukraine v England - Saturday 3rd July, 8pm

Chris Stott

Ukraine were my dark horses and I don't think they've been that bad at all. They have some real quality front and back. But wow how good were England?! Nullified the Germans and showed unbelievable team spirit and efficiency in front of goal. England are massive fans, and even without the fans in Rome, the three lions are so a better side than their opposition. I can see Foden, Sancho and Henderson featuring here in a comprehensive win.

Prediction: 0-3

Chris Coughlin

About half way through the match between the Czechs and the Danes, the nerves will start to kick in for this one. As a few other of our Matchday FM pundits have said, with no disrespect to the other nations on this side of the draw, the emphasis is now on England to reach the final on the 11th July or this tournament is yet another missing opportunity. England's performance against Germany was arguably their best under the reign of Gareth Southgate and has fuelled the belief of a success-hungry nation. Ukraine have shown their strengths and weaknesses in this tournament. In the likes of Andriy Yarmolenko & Aleksander Zinchenko, they have considerable threat going forward but they have not kept a clean sheet so far at Euro 2020 - a stat that will have the Three Lions purring. I don't think it will be the walkover we all want but England have more than enough quality to see the job through in Rome and get back to Wembley for the semi-finals.

Prediction: 1-2

Harry Reynolds

England will simply never have a better chance of winning a major tournament. They’ll have to adapt away from Wembley, but they should just be better than Ukraine. Harry Kane finally got his goal and, as expected, Jack Grealish has been very impressive. Ukraine won only one group game and that was a struggle against North Macedonia, and they’ve looked shaky at best at the back. Gareth Southgate’s men should have far too much for them

Prediction: 0-2