Welcome to another special edition of Euro Roker Riches, timed to align with the quarter final stages of the Euro 2020 competition presently being played out in (what passes for) the summer of 2021.

There have been some great games in the last 16, and lots of goals (a whopping 29 across the eight ties, without counting the nine penalties which resulted in the demise of France). Let’s hope that continues, and that we remain on the better side of such score lines.

Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

For us England fans, we managed to get a win in normal time, without even a sniff of penalties, against Germany. Despite past games providing very slim pickings against them, the Three Lions prevailed 2-0, with good second half goals from Sterling and, finally, Harry Kane.

So, here we are at the quarter finals where Spain take on Switzerland, and Italy face Belgium tonight. England take on the Ukraine directly after the 5pm kick off between Denmark and the Czech’s on Saturday, that being the game that decides the semi final opponent they will face.

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The Euro Roker Riches Table 2020/21 - after round 4

Phil rightly backed Sterling to get on the score sheet last time out, and got a tasty £38 return including stake, leaving him £33 up on last time.

Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Everyone else dipped out, though Paul managed to edge up the table a little, by being “tighter than a gnat’s sphincter” and only betting a tenner last round.

Bomber props the table up, but one or two wins can flip this table on its head very fast.

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Banker’s Bonus...

A Bankers Bonus allocation is awarded from the last round, as the England team beat their frequent nemesis Germany 2-0, to progress to the quarter finals this weekend.

All punters therefore get an extra tenner bet for this round of games this evening and Saturday, which they can either use for a separate bet, or top up the stakes on an existing bet to increase the return if they win.

For the QF round, we need to keep doing what we are doing and winning by any means, ideally while keeping clean sheets.

If the lads win against the Ukraine by any score to nil, we will award another tenner to our Riches punters for the semi’s.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

What bets do our lads have on this weekend? Lets see.

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This round’s bets...

Matty Crichton says...

Banker’s Bonus: The only way I will catch Phil is by winning big, so I am putting my free £10 on something unlikely - John Stones to score first! The Manchester City is always in amongst it on set pieces for I am backing him to put us 1-0 up against Ukraine. £10 returns £230.00

England Bet Builder: I am tipping Gareth Southgate’s side to win in 90 minutes, not concede and for Jack Grealish to score his first England goal anytime within the match. £5 returns £32.50

England Scorecast: Keeping it simple for this last one, Harry Kane to score first and England to win 2-0. £5 returns £65.00

Photo by Han Yan/Xinhua via Getty Images

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Luke ‘Bomber’ Davies says...

Win / BTTS double

After 14 goals in their respective last 16 matches… BTTS should be pretty assured. The Swiss have had their cup final moment for me and Spain are likely to come out on top. Denmark vs Czech Republic is a tough one to call, however I don’t believe in fairy tales and there will be no repeat of 1992.

Czech Repulic to win + BTTS. Spain to win + BTTS. £5 returns £144.75

Photo by Martin Rose - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Bankers Bonus - Semi Finalist Predictions

A free hit thanks to Gareth and his band of beauties!! I’m using it to make the (not so) bold prediction for the four semi finalists; England, Italy, Czech Republic and Spain to qualify.

£10 returns £64.72

England Bet Builder

It might not have been a financial victory, but I’ll take credit for England’s win against Germany as a result of me betting against them.

NO LONGER, however, as it’s coming home! This week’s bet builder reflects that confidence. Extra time and injuries have hampered a Ukraine side I would already have fancied us to beat so we are going with;

England (-1), Harry Kane anytime goalscorer, Over 2.5 goals. £5 returns £23.17

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Phil Butler says..

Draw/England (HT/FT)

England have only scored once in the first half all tournament and the game plan seems be to make sure the game is set for our strength in depth to show as the game wares on. A repeat of Tuesday’s game would be ideal. £11 returns £44

Matteo Pessina to score last

Since I’ve got the luxury of 3 bets for this match day I’m spreading the love across all 3 games. Italy’s goals have been spread around at this tournament and with a couple of doubts over who will start in attack I’m backing Atalanta’s Matteo Pessina to grab a goal off the bench just as he did against Austria in the last round. £4 returns £40

Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Banker’s Bonus Double: Switzerland Vs Spain BTTS & Denmark (-1.0) vs Czech Republic

Although Belgium vs Italy is the headline game of the round, the game most likely to bring goals is Switzerland’s matchup with Spain. I’m backing both teams to score in that one. That leaves the game between Denmark and the Czech Republic, another which seems likely to bring goals. Denmark have scored 8 goals in their last two games, hopefully that means they can continue this form and beat the Czechs with a 1-goal handicap. £10 (bonus) returns £81

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Paul Fletcher says...

England to lose on penalties:

Same theory as previous bet. This had better not happen and I’ll happily go bankrupt when it doesn’t. £5 returns £85

Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Spain to win 3-1:

Spain have remembered where the back of the net is in recent games but I don’t rate their defensive capabilities. 14 to 1 odds on the 3-1 victory is a very generous price.

£20 returns £300 (including bankers bonus tenner)

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Malc Dugdale says...

Spain to throw up the Cerveza

Spain’s defence hasn’t been great (you just need to check out the 8 goal thriller in the last round to get that), but I do think the peak of Switzerland’s tournament is already past us in them eliminating France.

I am going for Spain to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team. This feels about right, and it returns a decent 22-1 if it comes in. Fiver returns £115.

Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Another efficiency display by the 3 Lions…

Despite playing against ten men for a spell, the Ukraine only managed 2-1 against the Swedes, and they lost 1-0 against Austria a week prior. I don’t think the Ukraine will have enough to score against England, and I fancy either 1-0 or 2-0 to us.

My bet is England to win and Under 2.5 Goals in the match, which attracts 2-1 odds, so is worth a tenner of anyone’s money.

Seeing as I have an extra ten spot from the banker, I’m adding that on. Twenty sheets (inc. bankers bonus) returns £60, including stake.

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Good luck to England as they look to move towards the semis and hopefully beyond, and good luck too to all our fellow punters too.

Please remember to gamble responsibly, and enjoy your weekend in front of the footy.

Cheers, and ha’way the Lads!