Shots Betting: 5 players to look out for in Euros semi-finals

It’s semi-final time at the Euros with Italy and Spain providing the entertainment this evening. The two international heavyweights lock horns at Wembley vying for a spot in Sunday’s final, before England and Denmark do battle at the national stadium tomorrow night. 

With two mouthwatering ties on show, we’ve taken a look at five players who could prove valuable selections in the shots markets for both games.

Italy v Spain

Ciro Immobile - 4+ shots (10/11, PP)

Tonight’s match pits two of the tournament's highest scorers against each other which should, in theory, result in plenty of action in front of goal.

Italy’s Ciro Immobile is the Azzurri’s danger man in front of goal. The Lazio forward has scored twice at the Euros, but his shooting statistics are through the roof, with 16 shots taken across the five matches so far - an average of 3.2 per game!

Accuracy has proven to be the issue for Immobile, however, with only 3 of those 16 shots testing the keeper; two of which have resulted in goals. Therefore, I would be inclined to avoid the 31-year-old in the shots on target market for this one and would instead prefer to have him on-side for 4+ shots (10/11 with Paddy Power).

I know that this is a little over his average, but in a semi-final with so much on the line I can see him really peppering the shots away against a Spain team who have proven fairly easy to carve open defensively in recent outings. 

Cezar Azpilicueta - 1+ shot on target (7/2, PP)

I tipped the Chelsea man up to have a shot on target against Switzerland at 3/1 and he duly obliged, having previously found the net with one of his 2 SoT against Croatia in the last-16. An unassuming selection in this market due to his position and goal record, I think Azpilicuta is overpriced for a shot on target against Italy.

He’s registered 5 shots at Euro 2021, with 3 of those finding the target and poses a strong threat from set-pieces. With so many short prices flying about for the attacking players, thinking outside the box and getting behind the Blues defender could be a shrewd move here. 

England v Denmark

Harry Maguire - 1+ headed shot on target (11/4, PP)

Harry Maguire has been phenomenal since coming back into the England side, putting in two really assured performances against Germany and Ukraine. The Manchester United defender opened his Euros account with a towering header on Saturday night and will enter this clash brimming with confidence. 

After registering 12 shots on target in all competitions for United last season, the 28-year-old has notched a further two in his three outings for England at Euro 2021 and I think he could quite easily make that three against Denmark. 

‘Slabhead’ poses such a huge aerial threat from corners and free-kicks that he is almost impossible to mark, and with the talent we have from set-pieces there is every chance he can test Kasper Schmeichel at Wembley. 

If he does, it’s likely to be with his head (just like the previous two have been) so I’m more inclined to back Paddy Power’s price of 11/4 for 1+ headed shot on target as opposed to just 1+ SoT, which is 15/8. 

Joakim Maehle 1+ right-footed shot on target (5/2, PP)

Denmark’s roving wing-back Joakim Maehle has been sensational at the Euros this summer. The Atalanta man has scored twice and is the highest ranked player for shots on target in this Denmark squad with 7. 

Maehle plays left-back for his country but is traditionally a right-footed right-back, so often cuts in to shoot with his favoured foot, illustrated by the fact that 8 of his 10 shots at the Euros have come from his right.

This gives plenty of appeal to the 5/2 Paddy’s are offering for Maehle to have 1+ right-footed shot on target, as opposed to the 7/4 he is priced at just for 1+ SoT. However, that could still be a decent selection for your bet builder if you’re looking to play it a little safer. 

Jannik Vestergaard - 1+ shot (11/10, PP)

My final selection comes courtesy of Denmark’s 6ft 6 centre-half Yannik Vestergaard. Like Maguire, the Southampton defender has proven to be a thorn in plenty of teams’ sides at the Euros due to his aerial ability from corners, with 6 shots registered so far - 3 of which have been on target. 

Denmark are underdogs for this clash, with England expected to dominate possession. Therefore, the Danes’ best chance of scoring could well come from utilising their strengths from set-pieces. Vestergaard will be the man the Scandinavians aim for with every cross they put into the box, and it’s likely that at least one of them will find his head. 

On Saturday against Czech Republic, Denmark racked up 7 corners, while they accrued 9 against Wales in the last-16. Should the pattern continue here, expect Vestergaard to give the Three Lions’ defence plenty to think about. Remember, backing 1+ shots instead of 1+ SoT means that it doesn’t matter if it’s on target or not (hopefully it isn’t).