Czech Republic vs England
The final chapter in Group D at Euro 2020 is about to be played out so prepare for more mood swings, similar to those which have accompanied England’s opening two matches.
After their opening victory against Croatia, many fans of the Three Lions and football pundits were excited at the potential in Gareth Southgate’s young charges.
Fast forward five days and, following a goalless draw against the ‘auld enemy’, the critics – many of them the same who were singing their praises days earlier – were again out in force.
Amidst all the hyperbole which surrounds England at a major tournament, the truth lies somewhere in between.
The class of 2021 are unlikely to win the tournament but they are certainly a work in progress and one which can reach the latter stages.
Standing in their way now at Wembley is a nation they were already paired with in qualifying.
Deja vu anyone?!
Talking Points
While this is their first meeting at a European Championships, England and the former Czechoslovakia have twice met in the group stages of the World Cup: England won 1-0 in the Mexican city of Guadalajara in 1970 and 2-0 in Bilbao, Spain, 12 years later.
Now can they create Euro 2020 highlights against a nation 36 places below them in the official rankings?
Whatever happens, it’s hard to imagine a better goal being scored than the second of Patrik Schick’s brace against Scotland last week which took him to eight goals in his last 10 starts for the Czech Republic. The Czechs have qualified for every Euro tournament since Czechoslovakia split in 1993.
One of the big decisions facing Southgate is who will be marking Schick – stick with Tyrone Mings after two clean sheets so far or bring back Harry Maguire as he recovers from injury to partner John Stones?
Further up the pitch, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford could also come into the reckoning if the manager wants to rotate his squad, although expect skipper Harry Kane to lead the line and be effective after over-the-top criticism in recent days.
Southgate will know all about the Czech Republic. He was England coach during the 2015 European Under-21 Championship where his side finished bottom of their group with three points from three matches.
There is an argument that a draw for England on Tuesday would be better in the long-term as that will mean they secure second spot in the group and arguably provide a more favourable draw in the knockout rounds.
That helped them at the 2018 World Cup, but I do not think that will appease England on home soil and they start as clear favourites.
History
Since Czechoslovakia became the Czech Republic, these nations have only met four times.
Initially, they met in two international friendlies.
In 1998, Darren Anderton and Paul Merson goals gave the Three Lions a 2-0 success at Wembley.
Ten years later, another friendly finished 2-2 with Wes Brown and Joe Cole on target in what proved to be Glenn Hoddle’s final match in charge of the national team.
Of course, they met in qualifying for Euro 2020 and gained a win apiece.
England won 5-0 in March 2019, led by a Raheem Sterling hat-trick.
The return fixture saw the Czechs triumph 2-1 in Prague seven months later when Jakub Brabec and Zdeněk Ondrášek were on target.
During 12 meetings between the former Czechoslovakia and England, there have been three draws, seven England successes and two Czechoslovakia victories.
One of those was in qualifying for the European Championships of 1976 when a Mick Channon goal was cancelled out by Zdenek Nehoda and Dusan Gallis.
The central European nation went on to qualify for the tournament at England’s expense and went onto clinch their greatest ever football triumph – defeating West Germany in the final (in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw) to be crowned European champions.
Betting Tip
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Czech Republic vs England | Half Time Full Time – Home Home @ 2.41 |
| June 23, 03:00 (GMT+8) |
The SBOTOP Euro 2020 betting odds are strongly in favour of England.
If you think they are wounded and ready to hit back at the criticism of recent days, then you will consider 1X2 @ 1.60 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.20.
The Czechs are far out both with 1X2 @ 6.80 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.44.
A 1X2 draw – which would see both nations qualify and the Czech Republic top the group – is on offer @ 3.30.
Goals are commonplace in meetings between these nations and that is reflected in odds of over 2.50 goals @ 2.31, total goal 2-3 @ 1.93 and 4-6 @ 4.60.
I do think England will edge this and secure top spot in the group.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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