With a sweltering Group stage now concluded, just eight teams remain on the path to reach the final at Wembley Stadium a week on Sunday.
To open up the quarter-finals on Wednesday evening, much-fancied hosts England face Spain at Brighton & Hove Albion’s AMEX Stadium, as two of the tournament favourites clash.
This will be the ninth time the two sides have met and when last they played in the Arnold Clark Cup back in February of this year, the duo put on a bad-tempered 0-0 stalemate.
In the game before that in 2020, Spain were narrow 0-1 winners at the SheBelieves Cup in Texas, however, when the countries met during the 2017 Championships in Italy, goals from Jodie Taylor and Fran Kirby saw England 2-0 victors.
Looking at the outright markets, England are evens with Betfred, but given their form might be somewhat undervalued. Their Iberian foes, shorn of star player Alexia Putellas have struggled and only reached the last eight via a 90th minute winner over Denmark after losing to Germany in their second game of the competition. The Spanish women are still a danger however and at 10/3 with William Hill might yet see some investment.
For the Lionesses, Beth Mead has been a girl on fire this summer having scored in every game of the Group stages, already netting five for the tournament including a hat-trick against Norway. The Arsenal forward has been a revelation during the Euro’s so far and is now 4/9 with PaddyPower and Betfair for the Golden Boot.
Against La Roja however, Mead and strike partner Ellen White are unlikely to see as much of the ball against a possession happy Spain. Nevertheless, Mead is priced at a decently boosted 10/3 with SkyBet to net in 90 mins.
For a goalscorer double with White meanwhile, both Betfair and PaddyPower have an 8.1/1 offering on the table. Alternatively, for Mead to have 2+ SOT can be had at a boosted 4/1 with SkyBet, or with SkyBet Club, a 1+ SOT option for both players at 3/1 from 6/4.
Without their injured skipper Jennifer Hermoso and now Putellas, Spanish hopes may now rest on the shoulders of Lucia Garcia up front. The Athletic Club number 17, like her teammates, have lacked fluidity but Garcia did net against Finland in the Group stages and can be had to score in normal time at 4/1 with SkyBet.
Returning to the close recent results between England and Spain, just a single goal has been scored in the last 180 minutes between the two sides. Despite the new breath of life Sarina Wiegman has given England’s attack in particular, the unders market should be visited at 9/4 for less than 1.5 goals – again with SkyBet.
Finally for an alternative swing on things, England may this time have too much for Spain to handle and to be ahead after the first 30 mins, Ladbrokes’ 14/5 from 5/2 shot could be satisfying for punters.
