Euro 2012
2012-06-12 - Poland vs Russia
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Euro 2012 Group A
Tuesday 12 June 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Preview
This match can go a long way in deciding what is going to happen in terms of qualifiers in Group A, especially as both teams will know the result from the earlier game between Greece and Czech Republic and know what is to be expected of themselves.
Poland made the perfect start to the tournament they are co-hosting, scoring after just 17 minutes to take the lead against Greece in their first game, but they were pegged back in the second half and had to settle for a point.
While they may have been happy to escape with a point having had to save a penalty to earn it, Poland know they could be in a tough spot in the group if either Greece or the Czech Republic take the three points from the earlier game. They are in a position where a defeat in this game will not end their chances of playing in the Quarter Finals, but they could be left in a desperate spot if the Greeks have won the earlier game.
Back in Moscow, there was plenty of excitement with the way the Russians performed in their opening game as they brushed aside the Czech Republic 4-1 and now top the group. Dick Advocaat has made it clear that he is not focusing on the excitement back home as the tournament has just started and he will urge his team to remain focused and retain control of the group.
Russia know they are likely to avoid a Quarter Final clash with Germany if they can top this section and that means they should still play with the attacking intent they showed in their opening game of the group. As long as Greece do not win the early game, Russia will know the three points would actually guarantee them top spot in the group and that should provide plenty of motivation for them.
Russia are also likely to keep the same starting XI that beat the Czech Republic in the opening game, while Poland are expected to make a couple of changes. One enforced change will be in goal where Wojciech Szczesny is suspended so Przemyslaw Tyton will come in after making the penalty save with his first touch in the opening game.
Head to Head
These two nations last met in a friendly game in August 2007- on that occasion, Russia were leading 2-0 at half time at home, but Poland pegged them back and earned a 2-2 draw.
Prediction
Russia have made it clear that they don't feel a draw is going to be good enough for them and that should mean they play with the attacking freedom that we saw in their first game of the group. They will likely know that a win would virtually assure them a place at the top of the group and thus avoiding a potential clash with Germany in the Quarter Finals and that should be enough motivation for the whole side.
Poland are trying to suggest that they can play with more freedom now that the first game is over and the nerves have been settled, but they will be under pressure if the earlier game has found a winner.
They also looked a little suspect in defence in their game with Greece, while missing their first choice keeper can make the defence a little more unsure of what they need to do. That can be exploited by a Russia team that has plenty of players capable of scoring and creating goals.
I think that pressure may also be telling on the co-hosts and I believe Russia has to be the call in the game despite not having a win over Poland since 1996. The prices, however, look too tempting for an attacking side that plays a team with a lot of expectation on their shoulders and one that knows a win will almost certainly take them through as winners of the group.
The Pick :
Poland 0-2 Russia
