Soccer fans are getting ready to feast as the first triple-header of Euro 2020 takes place on Saturday with Wales vs. Switzerland, Denmark vs. Finland, and Belgium vs. Russia.
The action gets started nice and early at 9am ET with Wales, who made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, taking on Switzerland. A Nordic derby between Denmark and Finland follows at noon ET, before we get our first look at a fancied title contender when Belgium rounds off the card in Russia.
We have put together a three-team Euro 2020 parlay with a selection from each game to enhance the excitement of the first full day of action. If soccer has not been your thing previously, the next month is the perfect time to give it a try!
Be sure to also check out our full game previews for each of these Euro 2020 matchups, as well as our same game parlay for Belgium vs. Russia at +958 odds!
Here are the picks we hope will bring us a payout of almost 9/1:
Wales-Switzerland tie (+200)
Denmark to win to nil (-116)
Belgium (-135)
Parlay odds: +872
Now let’s take a look at each leg of the Saturday Euro 2020 parlay and give the reasoning behind each selection:
Wales to tie with Switzerland (+200), 9am ET
Wales produced one of the great stories of the 2016 European Championship as it surprised everyone by unexpectedly reaching the last four of the competition. A lot of the main protagonists from that run are back with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey again expected to drive the team forward, supported by an impressive cast of young talent.
The Dragons will do well to match their exploits of 2016 though, having been placed in Group A alongside Turkey, Switzerland, and Italy. Switzerland arrives at Euro 2020 in great form having won its last seven games to finish top of its qualifying group. Although the recent form of the Swiss side is strong, its history at European Championships is poor, winning just two games in 13 attempts.
Switzerland may find it hard to improve upon that record against a tough Wales side that has lost only three of its last 18 games. Interim manager Robert Page’s men have kept 11 clean sheets in their previous 15 outings and these two evenly matched teams could cancel each other out. Make a tie in this game the first leg of your parlay.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Wales vs. Switzerland.
Denmark to win to nil against Finland (-116), 12pm ET
Denmark is being talked of as a surprise longshot that could win Euro 2020 and it will be disappointing if it gets into early trouble against tournament debutant Finland in Copenhagen. The Danes will have home advantage throughout the group stages and that should see them improve upon a record of three wins from their last 13 games at European Championships.
Denmark has won nine of its last 11 games at home, shutting out their opponents in nine of their last 12 outings. With Leicester goalie Kasper Schmeichel behind a defense marshaled by Simon Kjaer, the Euro ’92 champion side won’t be easy to get around. Denmark also possesses a high-class midfield and should have too much quality for the Finns.
Finland did brilliantly to qualify for a first major tournament but its form has tailed off alarmingly, losing four times during an ongoing six-game winless run. The vast majority of its success has come in home games and Markku Kanerva’s side has lost six of its last ten away games. Newcomers have fared well in recent Euros but the Finns look outmatched when put up against Denmark.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Denmark vs. Finland.
Belgium to beat Russia (-135), 3pm ET
Belgium has the third-best odds to win Euro 2020 behind France and England and it’s not hard to see why when looking at its roster. Head coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a group packed full of attacking talent that made light work of qualifying, winning all 10 games and scoring 40 goals. One of the teams beaten by Belgium in qualification was Russia, which was defeated home and away.
The Red Devils won 4-1 in St. Petersburg but it should be closer this time around at the Gazprom Arena with Russia having shown its big-tournament pedigree through a strong showing as host of the 2018 World Cup. The Russians have lost only two of their last 14 games at home, while they have scored in 23 of their last 29 games so have the potential to cause Belgium a few issues.
However, Belgium should have enough quality to edge this Group B clash, particularly if Romelu Lukaku can continue his recent excellent run having scored 15 in his last 14 appearances for the national side.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Belgium vs. Russia.
Don’t forget to read about our same game parlay for Belgium vs. Russia at +958 odds!
Pickswise is the home of free Soccer Predictions, with soccer picks from Euro 2020 throughout the tournament and the MLS all season long.
