Euro 2012 Predictions: Czech Rep vs Poland, Greece vs Russia

Czech Republic vs Poland (1945 GMT)

It is all to play for in Group A. With no team qualified so far, although with first place Russia playing 4^th place Greece, this does seem like the battle of 2^nd place.

Hosts Poland will be slightly annoyed to be in this situation, having inexplicably surrendered their lead over Greece on Matchday 1, whilst also having the extra man.

The Czechs scored twice within 6 minutes against the Greeks, but let them back into the game with an error from Petr Cech, which goes to prove this game might just be one to savor, especially as Poland especially have to target the win to have a chance of qualification.

Although Poland will obviously have a massive following, the Czechs are rumoured to have around 50,000 people travelling into the city for the game, as the Czech/Polish border is less than an hours drive.

You might as well flip a coin for this match, as it truly is anyones game, and although the Czechs only need a draw (theoretically) to qualify, I still expect them to take the game to Poland, as playing for a draw would surely be suicidal in this fixture.

Having got Pirlo @ 14/1 FGS and Cabaye AGS @ 5/1, I am going for a larger punt today, but I think it’s a valid one!

Polanski AGS @ 12/1
Score Draw @ 10/3
Over 2.5 goals @ 1/1
Rosicky AGS @ 2-2 @ 65/1

Prediction: Czech Rep 2 (Rosicky, Baros) Poland 2 (Lewandowski, Polanksi)

 

Russia vs Greece (1945 GMT)

Greece need a win to qualify, but Russia will already to thinking about the quarter-finals, and should they win the group, they should avoid favourites Germany in the Quarters.

Dzagoev has been the man of the tournament so far, and with Russia conceding just 4 times in 13 matches, you would expect the Russians to come out winners in this game, although Greece have shown they can battle, with just 10 men against Poland, and winning the final 84 minutes against Czech Republic, despite doing the unthinkable and conceding twice within the first 6 minutes.

Kerzhakov may be replaced by Pavlyuchenko, although neutrals will be hoping he recreate his club form for country, despite a poor first two games.

Russia were my outside bets for this tournament, and although I don’t think they will reach the final I think they will prove tough opposition for any team in the knockout stages, which I expect them to reach comfortably tonight.

Russia to win @ 8/11
Russia to win to nil @ 7/4
Russia (-1) @ 15/8
Russia to win 2-0 @ 7/1

Prediction: Russia 2 (Kerzhakov, Dzagoev) Greece 0

 

By Brad Smith
Follow @BrummieBrad
 

 

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