Euro 2008
2008-06-07 - Switzerland vs Czech Republic
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Switzerland the co-hosts of the Euro 2008 will be looking to kick start their campaign with a win over the more fancied Czech Republic in the opening match on Saturday.
It will be a tall order though as in their two previous European Championship appearances, the Swiss have failed to win in six matches. Now they will be banking on home ground advantage to collect maximum points in their first match. For Coach Kobi Kuhn this will be his last tournament as he is retiring after the Euro 2008. Kuhn is contemplating to start the likes of Patrick Muller and Tranquillo Barnetta for the start of this match.
However experienced defender Muller is rusty having just returned from a long-term knee injury and was not at his best against Liechtenstein. Muller will undergo a late fitness test to decide if he can feature and if he does start, will partner Arsenal centre-half Philippe Senderos. On the other hand, playmaker Barnetta has shaken off an ankle injury and is fit to start.
Barmetta could come in for Johan Vonlanthen on the left-hand side of midfield, while the national team's top scorer Alexandre Frei will lead the attack.
The Czechs head into the tournament missing the likes of injured Tomas Rosicky and also concerns over the form of Milan Baros, who was top scorer at Euro 2004, but he has not been at his best of late.
As it is now Baros will hope to partner Jan Koller up front. However Libor Sionko will also hope to start after scoring against Scotland last week.
They will miss the services of Zdenek Pospech due to a virus. His place will be taken up by Zdenek Grygera. There is a doubt over influential defender Tomas Ujfalusi who is suffereing from an abdominal problem, but Marek Jankulovski is fit after a knee injury. Chelsea keeper Petr Cech will start in goal and he has a lot of experience behind him.
On level ball, take Czech Republic now to get beaten here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Pick :
Czech Republic to win 1-0 or 2-1
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Czech Republic to win this match.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Czech Republic on level ball here.
