Spain v Germany, Friday 5pm
An absolute blockbuster showdown to kick off the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Spain were excellent in setting up a meeting with Germany as they put four past Georgia, though they perhaps should have scored more. La Roja managed 35 shots and 75% possession in the 4-1 win. Rodri returned from a one-game ban in that victory to score a fine equaliser after Spain went behind in the 18th minute.
Nacho and Ayoze Pérez were both fitness doubts for Sunday’s mauling of the tournament debutants and it remains to be seen whether either, or both, will be available in Stuttgart. That said, neither would have started for Luis de la Fuente’s side, with the Spain manager set on his favoured XI. Dani Olmo is pushing for a starting spot having scored off the bench at the weekend, having twice replaced Pedri in the second half of Euro 2024 matches so far.
For Germany, Jonathan Tah returns from suspension having sat out the 2-0 win over Denmark. The Leverkusen defender is expected to return for the hosts, though it would be harsh on Nico Schlotterbeck, who shone in Dortmund on Saturday night. Antonio Rüdiger also recovered from a minor thigh knock to start at centre-back and showed no ill effects, so is expected to keep his spot.
Some Germany fans wanted Kai Havertz to be dropped for the last-16 tie but his goal from the penalty spot and all-round performance in the 2-0 win means the Arsenal man should keep his place up front, with Niclas Füllkrug forced to settle for a spot on the bench again. Like De la Fuente, Julian Nagelsmann has his favoured XI and is unlikely to make any unenforced changes. Prediction: Spain to progress
Portugal v France, Friday 8pm
Portugal needed penalties to defeat Slovenia in their last-16 meeting this week and it was goalkeeper Diogo Costa who was the hero for Roberto Martínez’s side. Costa not only saved three penalties in the shootout but was on hand to make a smart stop and deny Benjamin Sesko a winner late in the second half of extra time.
Rafael Leão returned from a ban in that hard-fought victory and should keep his spot on the left with Martínez unlikely to make any changes for the quarter-final with France. Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed a penalty against Slovenia and is yet to score at Euro 2024 despite taking more shots (20) than any other player, will likely keep his place as he looks to end his barren run.
Didier Deschamps will need to make at least one change after Adrien Rabiot picked up his second yellow card of the tournament in the 1-0 win over Belgium. Deschamps went with a 4-3-3 setup in that game, which France won thanks to a late own goal from Jan Vertonghen. France are yet to find their stride and have only scored three goals in four games: two own goals and a penalty. Deschamps may revert to a more familiar 4-2-3-1 system against Portugal in Hamburg.
Ousmane Dembélé may come back into the team, with Antoine Griezmann moving into the No 10 role and N’Golo Kanté and Aurelien Tchouaméni anchoring the midfield. That said, Randal Kolo Muani came off the bench in Düsseldorf, and it was his shot that deflected off Vertonghen and past Koen Casteels to hand France victory. Deschamps may be tempted to start the 25-year-old in place of Marcus Thuram, who is yet to score or set up a goal at the tournament despite having 11 shots. Prediction: France to progress
England v Switzerland, Saturday 5pm
Jude Bellingham’s stunning late equaliser took England’s last-16 tie with Slovakia to extra time, where Harry Kane sealed their quarter-final spot. They will face Switzerland on Saturday, but do so without the suspended Marc Guéhi. Ezri Konsa is likely to take his spot in defence, with Gareth Southgate potentially moving to a three-man backline.
Kyle Walker could line up as the right-sided centre-back but it remains to be seen who would play at left wing-back. Bukayo Saka was moved to left-back against Slovenia, while Luke Shaw is back in training. Throwing the Manchester United full-back straight into action for the first time since February is a risk. Kieran Trippier has been England’s starting left-back at Euro 2024, but he has struggled, often cutting back on his stronger right foot and slowing down play.
Silvan Widmer was suspended for Switzerland’s 2-0 win over Italy last weekend but can be expected to reclaim his spot at right wing-back. Dan Ndoye, who deputised for Widmer against the Azzurri, should be pushed forward into a more familiar attacking role against England in Düsseldorf.
That would likely see Fabian Rieder drop out of the side. Manager Murat Yakin has a further selection issue on the frontline as he weighs up whether Breel Embolo or London-born Kwadwo Duah should lead the charge against England. But don’t expect wholesale changes to personnel or system from Yakin. Prediction: Switzerland to progress
Netherlands v Turkey, Saturday 8pm
The Dutch were impressive in their 3-0 win over Romania on Tuesday evening as goals from Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen took the Oranje into the last eight. Ronald Koeman has no injury or suspension concerns for the match against Turkey in Berlin. He might be tempted to make a change in attack, with two-goal substitute Malen taking Steven Bergwijn’s place down the right.
Turkey gave us one of the matches of the tournament as they held out to beat Austria 2-1 on Monday night and move on to this showdown in Berlin. Merih Demiral, who had only scored two goals in 47 caps before the match, scored twice to take Turkey into the last eight, though the centre-back has landed himself in hot water with Uefa for his celebration in Leipzig.
Vincenzo Montella can welcome back captain Hakan Calhanoglu and centre-back Samet Akaydin after both were suspended for the win over Austria. The Turkey manager will have to cope without the suspended Orkun Kokcu and Ismail Yuksek, though. Having stuck with a 4-2-3-1 for the group stage, Montella used a three-man defence against Austria and could stick with that system against the Netherlands. Prediction: Netherlands to progress
The team of the round for the last 16
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