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Paul Merson's Euro 2016 predictions: Disappointment for Republic, Ronaldo criticised

Paul Merson

Sky Sports expert Paul Merson has been predicting the result of every match at Euro 2016 - and he's back for the final round of group games.

The Magic Man correctly tipped Northern Ireland to join England and Wales in the last 16 - but fears disappointment for Republic of Ireland against Italy.

Read on to see all of his predictions, plus why Diego Maradona was "one hundred times better" than Cristiano Ronaldo...

Hungary v Portugal - 5pm Wednesday

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he was 'sad' about not scoring against Austria on Saturday
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo can't carry the Portugal team, says Paul Merson

People tell me Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player than Diego Maradona, but I watched him against Austria and that's rubbish. Maradona is 100 times better. Ronaldo looks great when he's playing for Real Madrid battering other teams 9-0 every week but when you ask him to carry a team on his shoulders, he can't do it. People tell me he was unlucky because his penalty hit the post - but luck should not come into it when you take a penalty. Portugal have to win this or else there is a real risk of them going out. I think they'll nick it.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 to Portugal

Iceland v Austria - 5pm Wednesday

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Gylfi Sigurdsson of Iceland celebrates
Image: Gylfi Sigurdsson can offer Iceland a threat on the counter-attack

I've been very disappointed with Austria, who I thought would be much better than what they've shown. I think Iceland started to look a little bit tired at the end of their match with Hungary. They have looked strong defensively and Gylfi Sigurdsson can make something happen for them on the counter-attack. I think Iceland might get a third draw in a row from this game, but they've scored in every match so that could be enough to get them into the last 16.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1

Italy v Republic of Ireland - 8pm Wednesday

Martin O'Neill
Image: Martin O'Neill and Republic of Ireland risk early elimination

Republic of Ireland were very poor against Belgium and I couldn't believe some of the goals. How can you have the ball by the opposition corner flag and end up conceding a goal? Italy can afford to change their whole team and I can't see anything but a win for them. They probably won't even need to bust a gut. Sadly, I can see Ireland going home.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 to Italy

Sweden v Belgium - 8pm Wednesday

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku celebrates with Axel Witsel
Image: Belgium and Romelu Lukaku looked better against Republic of Ireland

Belgium finally came to the party with a big win against Republic of Ireland after the disappointing defeat to Italy. Meanwhile, Sweden still haven't had a shot on target in their first two matches and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is another player that can't carry a team on his shoulders like Maradona did. He loves it when he's playing for PSG battering other teams in the French league, but he hasn't turned up here. I've got to go for a Belgium win - even though I don't think much of their manager, Marc Wilmots.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 to Belgium

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Merse's previous predictions......

Switzerland v France

LILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 19:  Paul Pogba of France and Breel Embolo of Switzerland compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between Switzer
Image: France and Switzerland played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday

I'm backing France to win this one due to home advantage. They need a draw to top the group, but Switzerland have probably done enough already to go through. The home fans should push the French on to win this game and keep the momentum going.

PAUL PREDICTED: 1-0 to France - RESULT: 0-0

Romania v Albania

Albania celebrate beating Romania
Image: Albania celebrate beating Romania in Lyon

Albania have done quite well at this tournament. They are solid at the back, but just don't have a threat going forward. Romania know they must win and I think they will eventually break them down to qualify - but Northern Ireland fans will be watching this and praying for a draw, as that will help them to qualify in third place from their group. This is a big game for a lot of the other teams and it should be a good one, because a draw suits neither of them.

PAUL PREDICTED: 1-0 to Romania - RESULT: 1-0 to Albania

Slovakia v England - 8pm Monday

England's Daniel Sturridge (R) celebrates scoring the winning goal against Wales
Image: England's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring the winning goal against Wales

Roy Hodgson has got to make some changes for this game. We are there for the long haul, so he needs to use the 23-man squad. I would leave Harry Kane out, not because he is a bad player, but because he looks tired. I want to see Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge starting this game, with Raheem Sterling also left out. We don't keep very many clean sheets, so maybe you would stick with the same back five for continuity. I'm taking a bit of a risk by saying they will keep a clean sheet in this game, but I think England will win to win the group.

PAUL PREDICTED: 2-0 to England - RESULT: 0-0

Russia v Wales - 8pm, Monday

Gareth Bale of Wales celebrates
Image: Gareth Bale of Wales could be crucial against Russia

I'm going for a draw in this one, which will be enough for Wales if England win. Russia have been very poor and although I was disappointed with the Welsh against England, they still have the X-factor of Gareth Bale. If he can come up with one moment of magic, it should be enough to get them through to the last 16.

PAUL PREDICTED: 1-1 - RESULT: 3-0

Northern Ireland v Germany - 5pm Tuesday

Gareth McAuley segna il gol che regala la vittoria all'Irlanda del Nord (Getty)
Image: Gareth McAuley and Northern Ireland could go through with a narrow loss

I have watched both of Germany's games so far and they haven't been very good. They certainly don't look like they are going to wipe the floor with anybody, and this could be a narrow win for them. I think a 1-0 defeat could be enough for Northern Ireland to get through, because it would leave them on three points with a zero goal difference. They would be bang unlucky to go out with that.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-1 to Germany - RESULT: 0-1

Ukraine v Poland - 5pm Tuesday

Arkadiusz Milik of Poland celebrates
Image: Arkadiusz Milik and Poland are looking strong

Ukraine are already out and Poland haven't been too bad in the two games so far; I was very impressed with how they contained Germany. Robert Lewandowski has got to come to the party at some stage and that could be bad news for Ukraine. Poland should go through, but may just miss out on top spot.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 to Poland - RESULT: 0-1

Croatia v Spain - 8pm Tuesday

Nolito
Image: Nolito and Spain are backed to top their group

With 60 minutes gone against Czech Republic, Croatia were cruising and looking like potential winners of the tournament. Then the crowd got silly, started throwing stuff on the pitch and delayed the game - and before you know it, the score is 2-2 and they look like being one of the also-rans. Luka Modric surely won't be risked and Croatia aren't the same without him. They should get through, but I can see Spain winning this game.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 to Spain - RESULT: 2-1

Czech Republic v Turkey - 8pm Tuesday

Tomas Necid of Czech Republic celebrates with Milan Skoda and Ladislav Krejci after he scores from the penalty spot v Croatia, Euro 2016
Image: Tomas Necid and the Czech Republic could be going home

For 75 minutes against Croatia, the Czech Republic looked like they didn't have a chance of getting through after getting battered but they managed to turn it around. Turkey were given a run-around by Spain and I've been disappointed by them so far. This is another game that Northern Ireland will be looking at, because a draw or a Turkey win could help them to qualify in third place. I'll predict a Turkey win, which might be no good for either team.

PAUL PREDICT: 0-1 to Turkey - RESULT: 0-1

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