Cagey affairs expected in this weekend's Euro 2016 quarter finals

With a clash of the titans on Saturday and a David vs Goliath story to round off the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, we’re previewing this weekend’s action with the return of our Bookmaker Ratings battle.

Looking ahead to Germany’s meeting with Italy up against ESPN journalist Gabriele Marcotti and then France against Iceland, tipping off with BR’s Thomas Giles, there is a point awarded for each correct tip. We’re aiming to learn from our lack of faith in Lars Lagerback’s charges from last week to re-establish a stronger lead in our battle once more!

Gabriele’s tip - read in full

Germany vs Italy

I make Germany slight favourites (the bookies make them much bigger favourites). For that reason, I think it makes sense to go the other way at 4.00 which is a pretty big price given what we’ve seen. We know how well Italy can defend and the Germans might just struggle to break them down. At the same time we know how effective Italy have shown they can be on the counter and they could use this tactic to good effect once more here.

Thomas’ tip - read in full

France vs Iceland

The romantic in me (and bitter Englishman) wants to back Iceland but I just cannot see it. France will realise this is a massive occasion for them and if they were to lose, the outcry in their homeland would arguably be worse than the one currently going on England. Despite believing France should come through this, I still back Iceland to score as they once again have nothing to lose. France to win and both teams to score is good value at 16/5.

WhoScored’s tips

Germany vs Italy - full match preview

The glamour tie of the round sees Italy attempt to defend their superb record against the Germans in major tournaments, and defend they will! Joachim Loew’s side are beginning to hit their stride just at the right time as they did in the World Cup two years ago but the Azzurri backline will take some beating. While Iceland’s fairytale has overshadowed the achievements of most this summer, one cannot underestimate the impressiveness of the work of Antonio Conte and his side so far.

However, the one down side to Italy’s victory over Spain was the injury to Daniele De Rossi, who is a major doubt this weekend, while Thiago Motta is suspended. Whilst they were superb against the holders last time out, a makeshift midfield’s ability to nullify not only the attacking trident in Germany’s midfield but the metronomic Toni Kroos will be put to the test. Loew has found a good balance thus far, with his side facing fewer shots than any other (5.3 per game), so Italy’s opportunities may be few and far between. In what looks likely to be an extremely tight affair, the world champions will hope Thomas Muller can come good.

The Bayern Munich man has never scored a European Championship goal and will be determined to do so against familiar opposition. Indeed, Muller faced the Juventus back four (including Buffon) in the Champions League round of 16 last season, scoring in both legs, and netted against the same quartet in the quarter finals in 2013. Bearing that in mind William Hill’s advanced odds on the 26-year old to score and Germany to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 @7.00 are too good to refuse.

France vs Iceland - full match preview

Once again the huge underdogs as the take on hosts and pre-tournament favourites France, it’s fair to say Iceland wouldn’t want it any other way. Few gave them a prayer of getting past England in the last round despite the Three Lions’ struggles to break teams down in the tournament, and the same criticism could certainly be said for les Bleus.

Underwhelming in the group stages, requiring late goals to dispatch of Romania and Albania before a bore draw with Switzerland, Didier Deschamps men had to come from behind to beat Ireland in the round of 16. Moreover, there has been a very noticeable trend to the hosts' performances that Iceland will look to exploit. Of the eight quarter finalists France are the only said yet to score a goal in the first half - Lagerback’s men have netted four by comparison - with nerves and complacency potentially kicking in.

They will have to guard against the latter when they face an extremely well-organised Iceland side, but it could be another long night for the home crowd. With the odds @2.62 on a 0-0 draw in the first half, which was the case in all three of France’s group games, that’s my tip for Sunday night.

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