Euro 2012
2012-06-19 - England vs Ukraine
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : Euro 2012 : Group D
Tuesday 19th June - Kickoff 7:45pm
England
The Three Lions are odds on to qualify from the group and whether they do so is entirely in their own hands. With 4 points from 6, England sit in second place because of goal difference (France 4 pts too) but can only be overtaken by Tuesday's opponents Ukraine. Avoid defeat and they qualify, win the game and top spot may be achieved.
In the opener against France, England took the lead thanks to Lescott but continued to play with men behind the ball. The shape was 4-4-2 but often both strikers Young and Welbeck would help out and put in big shifts off the ball. The French equalised before half time and it was all them who tried to win the game after the break. England's defensive shape was superb and they took the point they came for.
Up against Sweden, we saw a completely different game. England tried to attack but the Swedes did so themselves and in the end the game was a bit too open to analyse tactically. England once again went a goal up but the Swedes scored twice from set pieces to take the lead. Hodgson's side looked down and out but then a very fortunate equaliser from Walcott restored their confidence.
After that second goal, England looked very dangerous down the wings and it was the Arsenal man who made the winner as Welbeck scored with a stunning finish. England won the game 3-2 and go into this one with soo much confidence it's hard to see them losing.
Ukraine
Hosts Ukraine must beat England to qualify as they sit 3rd with 3 points behind England and France's 4. In front of a passionate crowd and having beaten England in a friendly at home not too long ago, they must believe they can get the all important win.
Blokhin's side opened the tournament with a win against Sweden thanks to two Shevchenko goals. The Kiev man rolled back the years with his performance but didn't look as effective in the second game.
In the torrential rain against France, Ukraine looked very poor and clearly a class below the French. Les Bleus made easy work of Ukraine winning 2-0 with Ukraine creating one decent chance all game which was from Shevchenko but he couldn't find a way past Lloris in the French goal.
The Ukrainian win over England in a friendly was their first and only one in four with the Three Lions winning the other three. For Ukraine to win this I think they must keep the ball well and for long periods. We saw how well the English used the counter attack against Sweden so the hosts must be careful themselves.
A fear is the likes of Yarmolenko who despite proving good service for Shevchenko and Voronin just doesn't get back to help his full back. If England exploit the wings again then they may target his side and based on the Sweden game they could have great success on Tuesday night.
Betting Verdict
My money is firmly with England, my only concern is whether they will play for a draw as they did in game 1 or go for it in game 2. Hodgson's side need just a point and as the game goes on maybe that's what they will settle for. Of course winning the group is an incentive too but I'm sure Hodgson just wants to qualify for now.
The Ukraine shouldn't worry England, Voronin and Shevchenko made little impact in the Premier League in their prime whilst Milevskiy has under performed when given a chance.
The French had plenty of playmakers whilst Sweden has Larsson and Ibrahimovic. I don't see who in the Ukraine side can cause as big an impact to get the win needed for qualification.
Interestingly Ukraine has only had 1 draw in their last 14 games and I think we will see a winner in this game. At odds against I will take England to go on and beat the hosts in comfortable fashion despite a few scares on the way. The momentum is with the English and bar two set piece goals Sweden didn't get in behind the back line at all. With fewer stars in the Ukraine team, England should win this well.
Good Luck
The Pick :
England 2-0 Ukraine
