Soccer AM: Matchup Sets Up Romelu Lukaku to Score for Belguim in Euros

Czech Republic to win (-134 at BetRivers)
Both Georgia and the Czech Republic come into this game on the back of defeats. The Georgians lost 3-1 to Turkey in what has been the game of Euro 2024 so far. Meanwhile the Czechs lost to Portugal in added time. Both teams impressed at points, but it was the Czechs who impressed most. Given the array of attacking talent on the Portuguese team, it was hugely impressive how well the Czechs dealt with them. Georgia offer a different threat, but you’d have to expect the Czechs to be able to deal with them and score at least once.

Turkey win or draw (+140 at DraftKings)
Portugal dominated their game over Czech Republic: They had 19 shots, eight on target, and controlled the ball with 74% possession as they chased the game. They now face a Turkey team who looked very dangerous in their win over Georgia. Both teams are on three points and they each know a win here gives them a great chance of topping the group. Turkey combined real skill with heart and determination against Georgia. They have a tough tackling team but also some legitimate stardust. They also have a huge amount of supporters in the stadiums. Germany has the highest amount of Turkish residents of anywhere in the world outside of Turkey, making their games at this tournament effectively home games. That support, and their ever-improving team, means they can get either a win or draw against a Portugal team who dominated the Czechs without ever looking truly brilliant.

Over 2.5 Turkey cards (-110 at Bet365)
Despite winning the game, we saw the Turkish team get two bookings against Georgia. They tackled ferociously all game and got really stuck into their opposition. They now face a Portugal team who are a step up in not only class, but street smarts. When it comes to the dark arts there’s not many teams like Portugal, who have some real masters when it comes to tactical fouls and diving. This has the potential to be a really bad-tempered game.

Romelu Lukaku to score (+100 at Bet365)
The Belgians got humbled 1-0 by Slovakia, but they would have been hugely unhappy by the refereeing in that game. Romelu Lukaku put the ball in the Slovakian net on two occasions, with a goal ruled out thanks to an offside in the buildup and another ruled out for a handball in the buildup. He had three shots in the game, two on target, and despite a couple of heavy touches and one very poor effort that went wide, Lukaku did constantly get into dangerous positions. A goal should come for him at some point.

Belgium vs. Romania both teams to score (-110 at Caesars Sportsbook)
Belgium had the bulk of possession against Slovakia but still let them take 10 shots — of which four went on target and one went in. You’d have to think that they’ll score here given the quality on their team and the chances they create, however the concern is whether they’ll concede. Given that Romania scored three against Ukraine, from just five shots on target, you have to think that there’s some regression coming. However, Romania kept making chances and worked well on the counterattack, which is what they’ll need to do against Belgium. Romania probably won’t win the game but they can at least score.