Euro 2024 semi-final: Two 1-1 draws add up to 35/1 double

It’s hard to pick a winner in either of the Euro 2024 semi-finals, so why not back the draw in both?

Both the history book and the form book suggest that Spain vs France on Tuesday and Netherlands vs England on Wednesday could go to extra time and possibly penalties.

Backing the draw in both games – priced by bet365 at 9/5 and 15/8 respectively – would give you a double at odds of 7.05/1.

But for even more value and a lower-stakes bet, you could opt for both games to end 1-1 (as they did in the Euro 2020 semi-finals. At odds of 5/1 apiece, that equates to a 35/1 double.

Fortune does not favour the bold

The latter stages of the European Championship do not coax the best football from teams, which is hardly surprising given what is at stake.

Of the 16 semi-finals played between Euro 1992 and Euro 2020, nine have finished level after 90 minutes. That includes both ties at Euro 2020, when Italy beat Spain on penalties after a 1-1 draw and extra time and England beat Denmark 2-1 in extra time.

France’s goal drought persists

Two of the eight Euro 2024 round-of-16 games ended in draws as did three of the four quarter-finals, with two of the latter needing penalties to decide a winner.

Spain beat Germany in the 119th minute of a match that both sides were trying to win from first whistle to last, whereas France and Portugal both appeared to be prioritising not losing as their goalless quarter-final went to penalties.

France have conceded only once in five matches at the finals but they have scored only three goals, one from a Kylian Mbappe penalty and two courtesy of own goals by opponents.

Another draw against a Spain side who are the new favourites to win the tournament appeals at 9/5 but a 1-1 correct score is 5/1.

France may have been tight at the back but Spain have scored more goals than any other country at the finals and if they find the net on Tuesday, Les Bleus will have to be more clinical.

Selections

• Spain vs France – draw @ 9/5 with bet365
• Spain 1 France 1 @ 5/1 with bet365

Here are the odds for the winner of Euro 2024

England doing it the hard way

England’s tournament is becoming defined by draws and they are the only side in the final four to draw both their knockout games.

Gareth Southgate’s side also drew their final two group games and are still lacking a real attacking threat despite an improved performance against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

The Netherlands have won both of their knockout games in 90 minutes but did go behind to Turkey, who were the lowest-ranked side in the last eight.

The countries last met in a 2019 Nations League semi-final that finished 1-1 after 90 minutes before the Dutch scored twice in extra time.

Selections

• Netherlands vs England – draw @ 15/8 with bet365
• Netherlands 1 England 1 @ 5/1 with bet365

Check out all of England’s odds at Euro 2024

Double selections

• Spain vs France – draw and Netherlands vs England – draw @ 7/1 with bet365
• Spain 1 France 1 and Netherlands 1 England 1 @ 35/1 with bet365

Fancy a bet on the Euro 2024 semi-finals with bet365?