If good things come to those who wait then fans of international football are in for a treat this summer at Euro 2020. The tournament was postponed due to the continent being in lockdown last year but on June 11 it is finally set to kick off. In anticipation we have looked back at how each of the 24 Euro 2020 teams qualified for the tournament.
Leicester can enhance their Premier League top-four prospects by seeing off bottom club Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The Foxes have been hit by injury problems of late but have the strength in depth to secure a fourth straight head-to-head victory over the relegation-bound Blades.
Crystal Palace will hope to have Wilfried Zaha back up to full speed for Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Brom at Selhurst Park. The Eagles’ talismanic front man returned from injury as a half-time substitute at Tottenham last weekend and should be all the better for that blow-out.
Barcelona produced the greatest second-leg comeback in Champions League history against PSG four years ago and must attempt a similar feat this term. However, that famous triumph was on home turf and Barca were in far better shape than they are right now, so we fear this is a case of mission impossible.
Liverpool’s Champions League second-leg clash with RB Leipzig in Budapest presents punters with a fascinating conundrum. In terms of recent domestic results, the German outfit are in much better form, but the Reds were convincing victors in the first encounter, which was also played in Budapest.
Juventus have work to do to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after losing their opening leg away to Porto but we’re sticking with them. A late Bianconeri goal in that 2-1 defeat left this tie very delicately poised, but we feel the Italian giants have more scope for improvement in the return fixture.
Sevilla simply couldn’t cope with the pace and power of Borussia Dortmund’s forward line in Spain and we fear a repeat scenario in Germany. Los Rojiblancos did have their moments in a 3-2 loss at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but turning this Champions League tie around will be a tall order.
Sunday’s Premier League relegation battle between West Brom and Newcastle has all the makings of a tight tussle, with goals sure to be at a premium. Only one team has scored fewer times on home turf than Albion this term, while the Magpies have the third-lowest tally in away matches.
Southampton have struggled to pick up points during a tough run of fixtures but we feel they have a big performance in them at Sheffield United. Saints have tumbled down the table during a nine-match winless run in Premier League matches, but they have impressed in the FA Cup.
Everton can climb into the top four, even if only briefly, by winning at West Brom on Thursday evening and get our vote to achieve that feat. Albion are stubbornly clinging onto their Premier League survival hopes but may lack the quality to match in-form opponents on such a mission.
Huddersfield and Cardiff could both be involved in exciting ends to the season but for very different reasons ahead of Friday night’s Championship clash. The Terriers have been sucked into the relegation battle after a dismal run of results, while Cardiff have surged up the table under Mick McCarthy.
Aston Villa are one of several Premier League teams who have almost looked more comfortable on the road this season and they get the nod to prevail at Sheffield United. The Blades have badly missed having the backing of their supporters at Bramall Lane, suffering 10 home defeats.
Tottenham have enjoyed a couple of welcome Europa League wins of late and can now get their Premier League campaign back on track when hosting Burnley. The Clarets are on a four-match unbeaten run in this competition which has eased them away from the drop zone, but that was during a kind schedule.
Arsenal were the better team in last week’s 1-1 Europa League draw with Benfica in Rome and are taken to come out on top in the second leg in Greece. Coronavirus issues have created the need for neutral venues, but the Gunners have performed well on the road in this competition in recent years.