We’re hurtling towards the sharp end of Euro 2024 on Saturday, as the second pair of quarter-final fixtures decide the last four line up in Germany.
The day kicks off in Dusseldorf with the knife-edge contest between England and Switzerland, who have had contrasting journeys through the competition so far.
It’s then the turn of the Netherlands and Turkiye, with emotions set to run high inside Berlin’s iconic Olimpiastadion.
*All kick off times in local time.
Quarter-final: England vs Switzerland – 18.00
It’s a tough one to call in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on Saturday, as England and Switzerland meet in Dusseldorf with a place in the last four up for grabs.
Contrasting moods surround the two nations, despite both collecting the same pool points tally before making it through their respective Round of 16 ties.
That’s chiefly because the English were seconds from elimination at the hands of Slovakia on Sunday.
Jude Bellingham’s bicycle kick in the 95th minute saved them from the mother of all inquests, while paving the way for captain Harry Kane to head in early in extra time to snatch a 2-1 win.
But it’ll take more than a get-out-of-jail card to satisfy an expectant nation, with the Three Lions coming in among the tournament favourites with the bookies having gone all the way to a Wembley Stadium final last time around.
It was an unsatisfying, if not exactly nervous progression from Group C for the English.
An initially bright start to the competition saw Bellingham head in the only goal against Serbia, before a draw with spritely Denmark, with Kane on target to level, sealed qualification.
That rendered their final goalless stalemate with Slovenia one to consign to the dustbin of history for coach Gareth Southgate, save for it being enough to take their opponents through in emotional fashion.
Switzerland clicked into gear in their opening match against Hungary.
Goals from Kwadwo Duah, Michel Aebischer and Breel Embolo were just reward in a 3-1 win, before they came up against by far Scotland best effort of the tournament in being held to a 1-1 draw.
And they will take great heart from their final pool fixture with big guns Germany, with Dan Ndoye’s first half goal only cancelled out in the 92nd minute by Niclas Fullkrug.
Quarter-final: Netherlands vs Turkiye – 21.00
The last of the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on Saturday pits the Netherlands against Turkiye in Berlin.
It’s a contest that will provide something of a wildcard pick for the last four either way, giving one of the unfancied pair a shot at an Olimpiastadion return in a week’s time.
Merih Demiral was the hero on Tuesday night, as the Turkish advanced through the Round of 16 at the expense of Austria.
Leaping on a bungled clearance, the defender put his side ahead after just 57 seconds following a corner from tyro Arda Guler.
And he was at it again on the hour, booming in a header from another Guler set piece to leave the Austrians seeing stars, before a goal back for their opponents left them indebted to keeper Mert Gunok, who pulled off an unbelievable save at the death to seal the deal.
The Dutch had an ultimately comfortable time of it in their first knockout clash with Romania.
Donyell Malen was at the double and Cody Gakpo popped up again with the other, as Ronald Koeman’s side continued their journey in Germany.
A 3-0 victory looks easier than it was against spirited opposition, but it nevertheless seals a first quarter-final appearance in 16 years for the Oranje.
They had earlier come through Group D comfortably enough, with the spade work completed by virtue of an opening win over Poland and a goalless draw to thwart fancied France to all-but guarantee progression.
And indeed it did, with the cards falling such that a rollercoaster 3-2 defeat at the hands of pool winners Austria was enough to take them through as one of the best third-placed finishers.
Turkiye came through as Group F runners-up with two wins from three.
That once again doesn’t tell the full story, with a thumping loss at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal sandwiched by an opening success against neighbours Georgia and a win against Czechia only sealed by Cenk Tosun in the 94th minute.
But here they both are, with the winner of this one on course to meet England or Switzerland in Dortmund on Wednesday.
England v Switzerland
| Result prediction | Switzerland to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Switzerland / Switzerland to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | N/A |
Netherlands v Turkey
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | D. Malen(Netherlands), C. Gakpo(Netherlands) |