Euro 2016: Group C - Match Previews

Last night we saw France score two injury-time goals to secure their passage through to the knockout rounds.

This evening we move onto Group C where Germany face neighbours Poland. Elsewhere, Northern Ireland and Ukraine do battle to keep their Euros hopes alive.

Ukraine v Northern Ireland – Thursday, 5pm

Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland was left bitterly disappointed after they succumbed to a narrow defeat against Poland. A feeling they haven’t had in a while, following their recent 12-game unbeaten streak. Although, they will take heart from the fact they kept Robert Lewandowski quiet for the majority of the game.

But it is time to move on, and this is the fixture they specifically targeted for 3 points coming into the tournament. The defence will once again face a tough test, given the forward players Ukraine has at their disposal. This is a Northern Ireland side looking for their first ever win over Ukraine, and with that they may opt to provide Kyle Lafferty with support up front, in the form of Conor Washington or Jamie Ward.

Ukraine didn’t perform badly against Germany at the weekend, but they were wasteful. Several chances came and went, before eventually being punished by a talented German outfit. The Ukrainians limited the Germans to very few chances before the second, tie clinching goal. But a worrying sign was that star men Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko didn’t really get a foothold in the game – something they will hope to change. Manager, Mykhailo Fomenko will likely stick with his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation. Counterattacking will be where this team can profit.

Northern Ireland will go into this game with the hope of containing this Ukranian side. They will need to make the most of their opportunities from set-pieces and, if they can, try to create more opportunities from open play. Ukraine’s task is simple. They always have various chances throughout a game, all they need to do is put some of them away. Both of these teams possess hard-tackling central midfielders, so expect a ferocious middle of the park battle. The attacking prowess of Ukraine may just give them the edge.

Prediction: Ukraine to win 2-1

Germany v Poland – Thursday, 8pm

Germany just about struggled over the line against Ukraine on Sunday. They were out-played and out-thought for large portions of the game, but the quality within this German side eventually shone through. A key asset to winning trophies is, picking up big victories when you are not at your best. The dynamic Thomas Müller never really got into the game; he was barely a threat in front of goal. But overlook him at your peril.

At times the world champions back four looked shaky. They gifted numerous chances to a Ukraine side lacking purpose. With a man up top for the Polish widely known to this squad, in Robert Lewandowki, the German defenders will be aware they have to step their game up. In qualifying, Germany beat Poland 3-1 at home less than a year ago – that could give them a psychological edge. Opening-scorer from Sunday’s match, Shkodran Mustafi, may well be replaced in the line-up by composed centre-half, Mats Hummels.

After Poland’s win over Northern Ireland, they relieved a little bit of pressure from themselves heading into this game. A smartly finished effort from Arkadiusz Milik gave Poland their first ever victory at the Euro finals – back-to-back wins would be a dream come true. They have to improve, though. Poland needs to find a way of exercising the attacking expertise they possess in this squad. And following their 2-0 defeat of Germany in qualifying, this team can take confidence from the fact that they know they can hurt this opposition. Łukasz Fabiański will replace Wojciech Szczęsny in goal, who is suffering from a thigh problem.

This is a fixture that promises goals. Germany will, as always, look to control the game. Whereas, Poland go into this match knowing that a point would be a very good result for them, which may lead to a more cautious approach. It will be interesting to see if either of the two club-mates Robert Lewandowski or Thomas Müller can impose their undoubted ability on this game. Expect a fierce yet, expansive contest from this one.

Prediction: Germany to win 2-1

Euro 2016: Group A - Match Previews

Hosts France will this evening be looking for back-to-back wins when they face Southern European minnows, Albania. But before that, a tough Romanian side take on Switzerland.

Romania v Switzerland – Wednesday, 5pm

These two teams have only faced each other on one occasion previously at a major tournament in the 1994 World Cup. The Swiss manager at the time, Roy Hodgson, guided his team to a 4-1 victory.

Romania will count themselves slightly hard done by that they fell afoul of a heartbreaking late French winner in the tournament opener. They executed their game-plan almost perfectly as they limited a team full of talent to very few opportunities. Romania looked dangerous on just about every set-piece on Friday, an area they will be hoping to take advantage of this time out. Veteran left-back Razvan Rat was caught out for pace several times, his place could be under threat. Romania will stick with their defensive-minded, organised approach and hope to pick Switzerland off on the break.

The Swiss could not have got off to a better start against Albania, scoring within the first few minutes of the game. Defender Fabian Schar scored his sixth goal in just 21 matches, a highly efficient return for a centre-half. Despite keeping a clean sheet, a less than impressive Albanian side had many chances in the game. Worryingly, Romania’s forward players are more decisive, so the Swiss back line really needs to tighten up. Xherdan Shaqiri drifted in and out of Saturday’s game far too much, it is imperative he picks up the ball more often in offensive positions. An unchanged Switzerland side is expected.

The Romanian’s have to get something from this game; otherwise they will be staring down the barrel of an early elimination. Whereas Switzerland knows that a win for them will ensure their passage into the next round, with a game to spare. The Swiss will probably dominate the ball for most of this game, as Romania prefers a more conservative style to their opponents. Chances could be few and far between in this game – expect a fierce midfield battle.

Prediction: 1-1

France v Albania – Wednesday, 8pm

The French head into this game on a high, following that superb left-footed strike from Dimitri Payet. There is still pressure on the hosts ahead of this match, though, as not just a French win is anticipated, it has to be done a certain way. Les Blues were by no means poor against Romania, but they lacked a cutting edge in the final third. The ball seemed to bypass Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet far too often, with long balls up to Olivier Giroud’s head. Although the Arsenal centre-forward won most of his battles, the second ball was rarely picked up by anyone wearing blue.

France’s defensive frailties were also apparent on Friday, particularly from corners where Romania should have scored on at least one occasion. The tiring legs of ageing left-back Patrice Evra were dangled out mid-way through the second half, which gave the Romanians a huge chance from the penalty spot. Those defensive problems will unlikely be exposed as much against Albania, but they still have to be wary.

There is talk of Paul Pogba being replaced in the starting line-up tonight by vibrant winger, Kingsley Coman. Pogba didn’t put his stamp on the game against Romania, so Didier Deschamps could well drop a central midfielder and opt to play with more width.

Albania was lacklustre against Switzerland. They missed an abundance of huge chances, which highlighted why they were so concerned heading into the tournament about the absence of a potent striker up top. Another huge loss was that of captain, Lorik Cana, he was dismissed from the field in the dying embers of the first half. Albania now faces the daunting task of facing France, with their tournament hopes hanging in the balance. But as they are largely unfavoured ahead of this tie, there is little pressure on them. Gianni De Biassi is forced into one change at centre-half, apart from that, he will likely name the same set of players.

France has to take this game to Albania. They need to go out and make a statement to the other tournament favourites of the competition. A compromising win for the French would get the nation’s backing behind them. However, for Albania it is a different matter. This could be a game more about pride than anything else. The Albanian’s will more than likely sit deep, with ten men behind the ball and try to frustrate their opponent. France should dominate the possession throughout the game, but they have to use it better than they did against Romania. Once France get the opening goal, they should be hard for Albania to contain.

Prediction: France to win 3-0

Euro 2016: Group B - Match Previews

It is day six of the European Championships, which brings about the start of the second group stage matches. Therefore, a preview of said matches will be given for all of the groups over the coming days. Each group will be posted in separate articles based on when the games are taking place.

The second bout of group stage matches begins this afternoon with Russia versus Slovakia in Group B. The other group clash is between two of the British based countries, in England and Wales, but that doesn’t kick-off until tomorrow.

Russia v Slovakia - Wednesday, 2pm

This is a match that has the makings of a close encounter. Russia’s last-gasp equalising goal against England on Saturday has been largely overshadowed due to the behaviour of a section of their so-called supporters. A threat of expulsion has been handed out to the Russian’s, with a suspended disqualification hanging over them. Should their fans cause any further trouble in or around the stadium, they will be removed from the Euros - that has to be on the minds of the Russian players a little. Leonid Slutsky will probably start with the same team, though. They will be hoping main goalscorer, Artyom Dzyuba, can impose himself on the game.

Slovakia, head into this game on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Wales. They find themselves in an unwanted position at the bottom of the group; another loss could prove catastrophic to their hopes. Star man, Marek Hamsik, did not get involved in the game as much as his side need him to, and without his offensive prowess, this team lacks a cutting edge. Ondrej Duda came off the bench and scored the leveller against Wales, he could be included in the starting line-up.  Slovakia can take heart from the fact that they have not lost back-to-back games in over two and a half years.

Both sides played out their games at the weekend in a conservative manner and that will likely be seen again in this fixture. Slovakia can, simply, ill-afford to lose and the pressure is really on them. Whereas, Russia were extremely poor for most of their game against England and they don’t seem to have the talent within their squad to change their style. Neither team is a high-scorer, so a drab match is to be expected between these two.

Prediction: 1-1

England v Wales – Thursday, 2pm

This is the 102^nd meeting of the two neighbours, most of which came in the old British Championships – England have won 66 of those encounters, but that counts for nothing. Ever since the two were pitted against one another at the tail end of last year, fans of both sides have been looking forward to this one immensely. There has been some choice words from players of each team about their rivals, but the real battle will take place where it matters, on the field.

Roy Hodgson’s England put in a pleasing performance against Russia, up until injury-time, anyway. A sublime free-kick from Eric Dier was cancelled out by a cruel Russian equaliser. Despite that, it was certainly a performance that this young England side can build on. Should England take the lead, the manager will again have to make the choice of, does he stick or twist – a decision he got wrong at the weekend. Since the team selected for the Russia fixture dominated large spells of the game, Hodgson is expected to stick with the same eleven. Wayne Rooney will be pivotal in this game; he put in a fantastic display before being substituted.

Even with Welsh superstar, Gareth Bale, not at his best against Slovakia, Wales still looked assured throughout the majority of the game. Top players deliver even when they are not at their best and Bale proved he is that, by despatching a dipping free-kick from all of 25 yards. The forward will be looking to take advantage of an unconvincing England defence, who seem to have a lapse every single game. The Welsh defenders will be in for a tough test; Captain, Ashley Williams has to be on top form. It will be an unchanged side; Chris Coleman has no need to change a winning fomula.

There is no two ways about it, England has to go out there and take the game to Wales, in order to get their first win on the board. The Welsh will probably sit back and soak up the pressure, with the hope of hitting England on the counter. Wales heads out there knowing that they only need a point to all but secure a place in the next round of the competition - that could lead to complacency on their part. The quality within England’s ranks may just sneak a win for the Three Lions in this one.

Prediction: England to win 2-1