Euro 2012
2012-06-12 - Greece vs Czech Republic
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Euro 2012 Group A
Tuesday 12 June 2012 - Kick Off 5pm
This game is live on TV
Preview
This has already become a make or break game for the Czech Republic as a defeat will send them home before the final group games are to be completed, while the Greece players know a victory for them will give them one foot into the last eight.
Greece picked up a 1-1 draw with the co-hosts Poland in the opening game of the tournament, but it could have been so much more for them if they had not missed a second half penalty that would have given them the lead with 20 minutes left to play.
It was an impressive result regardless as they played for a long period with just ten men following the harsh sending off of Sokratis Papastathopoulos. That means the Greek side have been shorn of their first choice centre half pairing, although they are not showing too much concern about that.
The game is important for Greece as they know they play perhaps the toughest team in their group, Russia, in the final game and they will want to put themselves in position of superiority over the Czech Republic and Poland before that game.
That is not to say the Czech Republic are going to be a pushover, although they were vastly disappointing in losing their opening game 4-1 to the Russians. However, a draw between Poland and Greece means the Czech Republic can win their last two games and guarantee their position in the last eight.
As I said above, the pressure is on the Czechs as a defeat will leave them exiting the tournament after completing their game with Poland on Saturday so it will be interesting how they approach the game. A point may be good enough as long as Poland don't beat Russia in the later game, but it could be a risky strategy playing for a draw.
Both teams have spoken about their confidence coming into this game and both are more than aware of what they need to do to progress.
Head to Head
Games between the sides have not exactly been inspiring over the last 12 years since 2000.
They have met three times from that time and all three have ended 0-0.
The most important of those games was the Euro 2004 Semi Final which was settled by an extra time goal scored by Greece after the regulation period had finished 0-0.
Prediction
I thought the Greeks were the most likely side to take second spot behind the Russians in this group and there hasn't been a lot from the opening games that has made me change my mind on that front.
I actually think Greece played well against Poland after a nervous start and they showed enough going forward to suggest they are going to cause the Czech Republic defence problems.
The Czechs cannot afford to make the mistakes they did against Russia in their opening game as they will be sent home if they do. However, I believed them to be the weakest team in the competition before it started so I wasn't too surprised with their performance.
The fact that Greece are missing their first choice centre halves is a concern, but I think they may be worth risking for a small interest in them winning this game. They really looked a lot better in the second half of their opening game and I think that anxiety is now gone that they are in a big tournament and I think Greece believe they can go on and qualify for the Quarter Finals.
As I said above, I believed Greece would qualify in second spot in this group and they will need a win here if they are to do so. Therefore I am taking them to win this game as the underdog.
The Pick :
Greece 1-0 Czech Republic
