GAME INFORMATION: 3 P.M., WEDNESDAY, JULY 7 AT WEMBLEY STADIUM, LONDON
TV: ESPN
BETTING ODDS: ENGLAND -150/DENMARK +450/DRAW +270
TO ADVANCE: ENGLAND -300/DENMARK +220
TOTALS: OVER 2.5 +120/UNDER 2.5 -160
The Euros’ best story in Denmark runs smack into the brick wall that has been England, which still hasn’t given up a goal in this tournament. No team has ever gone this deep into the Euros without giving up a goal, and England has looked better with every match it’s played ever since the scoreless draw against Scotland.
But Denmark has looked better in every match it’s played as well, and the Danes’ attack has been one of the best in the tournament. Since losing to Belgium and putting their backs to the wall, Denmark has scored 10 goals while conceding just two. The Danes also have something else going for them: they’re the last team to beat England on English soil, having done so nine months ago.
MATCH BET: ENGLAND TO WIN TO NIL, +140
Reason: I don’t think this will be a high-scoring game, but after the mess that was Ukraine’s defense against the England attack, I’m not going to place this bet at risk again. I feel comfortable trusting the English defense to pitch another shutout, but I want a little insurance in case Harry Kane and company get going again.
SCORE BET: ENGLAND 2, DENMARK 0, +650
Reason: Denmark’s attack has been excellent, but taking a look at who they’ve faced says that they’ve been a bit fortunate to come out of the weakest quarter of the draw. Russia was one of the weakest defenses in the tournament, Wales fell apart in the round of 16 and the Czech Republic was never all that strong of an opponent. England’s stronger than all of those opponents, and I’m not sure Denmark can unlock this defense. I think it’ll be another shutout for the Three Lions.
SIDE BET: ENGLAND TO WIN BOTH HALVES, +340
Reason: This one is a bit of a long shot, but it’s one with some reason. England has scored in the first half-hour of two of its four wins, and in a semifinal, it’s likely Denmark might get stuck having to chase the match. I can see England picking up one goal in each half and taking firm control of this match before Danish Dynamite has any chance to respond.
