Euro 2012
2012-06-12 - Poland vs Russia
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : Euro 2012 : Group A
Tuesday 12th June - Kickoff 7:45pm
Poland
The Poles will be disappointed with their start to their Euro2012 campaign. Smuda's side looked irresistible for 45 minutes against the Greeks creating tons of chances, eventually going into the break a goal and a man up. However, in the second half after a clumsy mistake involving Szczesny the Greeks equalised and then the keeper was sent off giving away a penalty. Fortunately Tyton make the save and the game ended in draw with the Greeks the more likely to grab the winner.
On Tuesday the Poles host big winners Russia in a game that could either get them right back into the group or put them on the brink of elimination.
With Greece playing earlier in the day against a poor Czech side, Poland may find themselves 3rd come kick off 3 points behind Greece so this may become must win.
It's hard to judge the side because in the first half Blaszczykowski and Lewandowski were causing all sorts of problems opening the Greeks up at will. Unfortunately, they only took one of their two or three glorious ones created and paid the price. Seeing them fall away in the second half plus conceding v ten men might have a mental impact on them in this game and that's a worry.
Russia
Advocaat's Russia have made a fantastic start to Group A. The Russian's are top of the group following their 4-1 win over the Czech Republic with a win here guaranteeing qualification into the next round against Poland.
Russia created soo many chances on Friday night and had Kerzhakov not missed as many as he did this could have been double figures. That is not to say the Czechs didn't fight, they opened Russia up a few times only to get caught on the counter.
The spine of this side is the Zenit side that has been very good this season and that is key on the International scene. Players know eachother and just carry on with business as usual.
Advocaat must decide whether to keep Kerzhakov up top or play Pavlyuchenko who in this brief spell in the second half scored one and made an other. My gut tells me the hard working Zenit man will start because he is quicker and works well with the other Zenit players in the system. This may allow for Pavlyuchenko to come on later and exploit a tired looked back line which will be kept very busying with Arshavin and Dzagoev up against them.
Betting Verdict
This game looks a close one with both sides likely to push for the win. It's hard to see Poland playing for a draw and putting all their eggs in one basket for the last group game. Although if this occurs then Russia will still have something to play for against the Greeks and that will help Poland.
Whilst Poland's motives are hard to predict, Russia's are clear go for the win, win and they make the last 16. Having scored 4 in their first game, confidence is high and up against a side who couldn't kill the game against 10 men the advantage certainly lies with Russia.
The Poles unlike the Czech won't leave themselves completely exposed to the counter. I expect them to try and keep it tight, controlling the game and then eventually start to throw caution. It's up to Russia to have a go and I think if they get ahead early forcing Poland to come out and play then they can win this by a couple.
Of course the fear is Poland get ahead but we saw them collapse in game week 1 but this time their opponents won't miss chances and will go for the kill. Russia to win.
Good Luck
The Pick :
Poland 1-3 Russia
