UEFA Euro 2024: Day 8 Match Previews | Predictions | Fantasy XIs

Day 8 of UEFA Euro 2024 will see three fixtures take place: the first between the Netherlands and France at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, the second between Georgia and Czechia at Volksparkstadion, while the final match of the day will see Türkiye play Portugal at Signal Iduna Park.

Euro 2024 Match 21: Netherlands v France | 12:30 am IST | June 22

Expect this match to be a fiery encounter and one of the best in the tournament so far. The Dutch possess incredible talent going forward with the likes of Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay, while also ensuring that they remain solid at the back through the leadership of Virgil van Dijk. Despite the loss of FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, the Oranje look formidable and will be among the favourites to go all the way in this competition.

The same can be said about the French team as well, who come into the tournament as one of the favourites to go all the way. The big question heading into this match for Les Bleus will be whether the experienced Olivier Giroud will start down the middle, with star player Kylian Mbappé having suffered a broken nose. Either way, this is a very strong France squad that will be expecting to get out of this tie with all three points.

Team News

The major misses from the Dutch point of view are midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners, both of whom have been ruled of this competition due to injury.

On top of that, the Netherlands are also missing Arsenal FC’s Jurriën Timber, who wasn’t deemed fit enough for selection despite making a comeback for his club side towards the end of the league season.

As for France, Aurélien Tchouaméni is expected to be missing along with Lucas Hernández, who is also out with injury. Kylian Mbappé is also set to sit out a game or two.

Form Guide

Netherlands

Form (all competitions, most recent first): W-W-W-L-W
Most recent result: Poland 1-2 Netherlands, Euro 2024
European Qualifying: Finished 2nd in Group B, with 18 points.

France

Form (all competitions, most recent first): W-D-W-W-L
Most recent result: Austria 0-1 France, Euro 2024
European Qualifying: Finished 1st in Group B with 22 points

Prediction

This game will be very close. France weren’t particularly great in their opening game, and the same can be said for the Dutch.

With both sides possessing a fair bit of quality going forward, a draw feels like a likely outcome.

Netherlands 2-2 France

Predicted Fantasy XI

Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, Théo Hernández
Midfielders: Tijjani Reijnders, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot
Forwards: Cody Gakpo, Marcus Thuram, Memphis Depay, Ousmane Dembélé
Captain: Memphis Depay
Vice-Captain: Marcus Thuram

Also watch: Olivier Giroud to replace Kylian Mbappé after nose injury?

Euro 2024 Match 22: Georgia v Czechia | 6:30 pm IST | June 22

Georgia come into this match on the back of an impressive display against Türkiye. Although they ended up losing that match 3-1, Georgia proved to be an exciting attacking force in their first major tournament. In that game, they took 14 shots and even hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions, something the Czech would have taken note of. Of course, their main Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will be looked at to provide a moment of inspiration to hopefully take his team over the line.

Meanwhile, Czechia also gave a great account of themselves in their first match of the tournament against Portugal. They even managed to take the lead and made Roberto Martínez’ team work hard. Eventually, Portugal found a winner in stoppage time.

Czechia will set up with a five-at-the-back system, though against Georgia we may see their fullbacks given more license to go forward.

Team News

For Czechia, the biggest concern around this clash will revolve around the fitness of defensive midfielder Tomáš Soucek. The West Ham United FC player was seemingly struggling in the first half against Portugal, which raised the question as to whether he would be withdrawn.

However, the midfielder ended up completing the entire 90 minutes, which may be indicative of the fact that he should be fit and available for this match against Georgia.

On the other hand, Georgia will have their entire squad to pick from.

Form Guide

Czechia

Form (all competitions, most recent first): L-W-W-W-L
Most recent result: Poland 2-1 Czechia, Euro 2024
European Qualifying: Finished 2nd in Group E with 15 points

Georgia

Form (all competitions, most recent first): L-W-W-W-L
Most recent result: Türkiye 1-3 Georgia, Euro 2024
European Qualifying: Through the Euro 2024 qualifying play-off

Prediction

Although both teams posed a threat in their respective games, Czechia proved to be the more structurally stable team. This could be the major difference between these two sides on the day, particularly when they have to defend, and for that reason, I believe Czechia will come out on top.

Georgia 1-2 Czechia

Predicted Fantasy XI

Goalkeeper: Giorgi Mamardashvili
Defenders: Guram Kashia, Tomáš Holeš, Vladimír Coufal, Robin Hranác
Midfielders: Tomáš Soucek, Lukáš Provod
Forwards: Patrik Schick, Jan Kuchta, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Budu Zivzivadze
Captain: Patrik Schick
Vice-Captain: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Euro 2024 Match 23: Türkiye v Portugal | 9:30 pm IST | June 22

Türkiye come into this game as the second favourites and will be expected to have less of the ball given the incredible talent in the Portugal midfield. However, Türkiye will have moments in this game as they have quality of their own. Hakan Çalhanoglu will be extremely crucial in certain situations in midfield and even during dead-ball situations, which his team will not be expected to get many of. However, there is some exciting attacking talent, and the likes of Kenan Yildiz will be expected to make the most of situations in and around the penalty area.

Portugal, on the other hand, have an abundance of quality. Leading them is Al-Nassr FC superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who is coming off an incredible Saudi Pro League campaign. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 44 goals in 45 matches across all competitions. In addition, the likes of Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias are coming off a successful season with Manchester City FC, which saw them win the Premier League for the fourth consecutive time. Expect them to dominate the ball and depend on chief playmaker Bruno Fernandes for moments of magic.

Team News

A big loss for Türkiye heading into this game is the missing Çaglar Söyüncü, who is out of the entire tournament due to injury. AFC Bournemouth striker Enes Ünal and former Liverpool FC star Ozan Kabak will also be absent from this tie.

There seems to be only one notable absentee as far as Portugal are concerned. They will be without Raphaël Guerreiro, who will miss the entirety of the Euros after picking up an ankle injury about a month ago.

Form Guide

Türkiye

Form (all competitions, most recent first): W-L-D-L-L
Most recent result: Türkiye 3-1 Georgia, Euro 2024
European Qualifying: Finished 1st in Group D with 17 points

Portugal

Form (all competitions, most recent first): W-W-L-W-L
Most recent result: Portugal 2-1 Czechia, Euro 2024
European Qualifying: Finished top of Group J with 30 points

Prediction

Although Türkiye are a side that could produce miracles on their day, it does look like this Portugal side with a firing Cristiano Ronaldo will be too much for them. Hence, I see the Portuguese winning this encounter in the end.

Türkiye 0-2 Portugal

Predicted Fantasy XI

Goalkeeper: Ugurcan Çakir
Defenders: Pepe, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes
Midfielders: Hakan Çalhanoglu, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, João Palhinha
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Kenan Yildiz
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Vice-Captain: Bruno Fernandes