The Euros are well underway and the first round of group stage matches have brought us plenty of thrills and spills. While fancied teams like France, Spain and Germany secured victories, they were a couple of shocks as well such as Hungary beating Austria 2-0, Italy’s victory over Belgium and Portugal being held by Iceland.
The action is only going to hot up in the second round of group stage matches with plenty of exciting and interesting match ups heading our way in round 2 of the group stages.
Group A – France, Switzerland, Romania, Albania
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France and Switzerland both scored narrow victories over Romania and Albania respectively and they will be looking forward to continuing their momentum. Romania face Switzerland while France take on Albania. All the 4 teams know the importance of these matches as a defeat or victory at this stage can decide who gets to qualify to the knockout stages and who does not.
The host nations France are highly favoured to beat Albania, but Switzerland can testify that Albania are no pushovers. Although they are ranked relatively low at 42, they have players who can trouble any opposition. France themselves did not look too convincing in their opening match against Romania with only a stunning late winner from Dimitri Payet securing the result. However, France look too strong for the Albanian squad and they will be hoping to secure their spot in the next round with a routine victory.
The other match of the group pits Switzerland and Romania. Romania defend very well and it looks like it will be a low-scoring game. Switzerland are slight favourites due to the presence of stars like Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka, but a draw looks like the most likely result.
Prediction – France to win against Albania, Switzerland being held to a draw against Romania.
Group B – England, Wales, Russia, Slovakia
One of the most intriguing groups in the tournament, Group B kicks off with Russia facing Slovakia followed by the huge match, England vs Wales. In the first round of matches, England played out a 1-1 draw against Russia, however, the match was remembered more for the ugly clashes between the fans rather than the result itself.
Wales meanwhile, secured an impressive 2-1 victory over Slovakia and they will be relishing the opportunity to play against England. Russia have struggled recently to secure victories with only one win coming in their last 5 matches. Slovakia headed into the tournament on the back of a stunning 3-1 victory against Germany but a loss against Wales makes this a crucial clash for them. Slovakia against Russia might not be high on thrills, but the importance of the game cannot be discounted.
England against Wales will definitely be one of the matches to watch out for. Although many would expect England’s young team to get a favourable result against Wales, one cannot ignore the impressive Wales side led by Gareth Bale. All in all, this round of matches in group B is certainly going to be a topsy-turvy affair.
Prediction – Slovakia to secure a narrow victory over Russia, England to edge out Wales.
Group C – Germany, Poland, Northern Ireland, Ukraine
Poland and Germany both secured relatively comfortable victories over Northern Ireland and Ukraine and both Germany and Poland will be confident of progressing through to the next round. One of the matches to look out for in this round is the epic clash between Germany and Poland.
Germany are playing with one of the youngest squads in the tournament and although they do not seem to have any weaknesses, this experienced Poland side might cause quite a few problems. Robert Lewandowski against Jerome Boateng will be one of the battles to watch out for.
Northern Ireland vs Ukraine will be a crucial match for both the teams as a defeat to either of them can spell doom. Although Ukraine lost 2-0 against Germany, there were glimpses of quality from them and Ukraine will be backing themselves to get the better of Northern Ireland.
Prediction – I am going to stick my neck out and predict a victory for Poland against Germany, In the other game, Ukraine to get the better of Northern Ireland.
Group D – Spain, Turkey, Croatia, Czech Republic
Arguably the group of death, Spain and Croatia are sitting pretty after victories over Czech Republic and Turkey respectively. Croatia secured a crucial victory over Turkey thanks to a Luka Modric stunner and they will now be confident of finishing in the top 2.
Spain will be facing off against Turkey while Croatia will be playing against Czech Republic. Croatia will be confident of continuing their good form against the Czechs while Spain will have to be wary against a dangerous Turkey side.
The defending champions have not been at their best recently and Turkey are a team capable of causing plenty of problems. Turkey will be giving it their all to secure a positive result against Spain while Croatia will be hoping that their quality in midfield will overcome the stubborn Czech defence.
Prediction – Spain to win narrowly against Turkey, Croatia to be held to a draw against Czech Republic.
Group E – Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Sweden
Belgium, Ireland, Italy and Sweden are the teams in this interesting group. Conte’s tactical brilliance saw Italy overcome Belgium 2-0 while Sweden and Ireland played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw. The next set of matches pit Italy against Sweden while Belgium will face off against Ireland in a must-win encounter for both sides.
Italy will be strong favourites against Sweden, but one can never relax when a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic is around. Belgium will have to win at any cost against Ireland and Marc Wilmots will be hoping that Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are at their best against Ireland.
Italy’s defence will be confident of another accomplished performance against Sweden while Belgium's attacking talent will be hoping to be more clinical against Ireland.
Prediction – Italy to win against Sweden, Belgium to cruise to victory against Ireland.
Group F – Portugal, Austria, Iceland, Hungary
Considered to be one of the easiest groups, this group had plenty of surprises in the first round of matches. Unfancied Hungary put David Alaba’s Austria to the sword while Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by a gritty and determined Iceland.
Portugal next face Austria and it looks like it will be a tricky fixture for Cristiano Ronaldo’s men. Although Austria stumbled against Hungary, they have a very good squad and they will be eager to bounce back in a strong manner against Portugal.
Hungary and Iceland both have a chance to create history as a victory for either of them will all but confirm their place in the knockout stages. Both Hungary and Iceland were thought to be easy pushovers, but they have proved that they are not here to just make up the numbers.
Prediction – Portugal to draw against Austria, Iceland to secure a narrow victory over Hungary.
Matches to watch out for
England vs Wales
Germany vs Poland
Spain vs Turkey
Italy vs Sweden
Portugal vs Austria
