Opinion
Match Day 2 action continues at Euro 2020 with Sweden and Slovakia looking to add to the points they collected in their opening fixtures. With a win, Slovakia will be through to the knockout phase and Sweden could go a long way towards doing the same if they are able to add to their opening point.
Czech Republic can do the same with a win over a Croatian team that must manage a result or kiss their Euro hopes goodbye, and England will look to send a firm message to the doubters and secure all three points against fierce rival Scotland at Wembley Stadium.
Good luck with your Match Day 2 tips for tonight and be sure to enter them in the sheet below to have a say as the always competitive voice of the Crowd.
Here is the way the panel sees all the action unfolding.
Mike Tuckerman
Sweden, Croatia, England
Sweden’s clash with Slovakia in Saint Petersburg is likely to be a tight and tense affair, with the Swedes unlucky not to beat Spain in their opening group stage game. Three points here for either side will virtually seal progression from Group E, but it’s Sweden who need the result more. They’ll remain compact at the back and prove tough to break down against a Slovak side that stunned Poland, with Sweden potentially snatching the winner from a set piece.
Croatia made life difficult for England in their opening group stage game, even if the English always appeared to have their measure. Zlatko Dalic will make changes to his starting 11 here that should mean Ante Rebic isn’t quite so isolated in attack. After springing a surprise against Scotland, another win here would see the Czech Republic advance to the knockout stage. Unfortunately they come up against a Croatian side with plenty to play for at Hampden Park.
It’s the oldest international fixture in world football, and unfortunately for the Tartan Army it’s a game England should win comfortably. The English raced out of the blocks against Croatia and should have won by more than their 1-0 scoreline. Scotland, for their part, will use the emotion of the occasion to try and rise above their illustrious opponents. Sadly for the Scots, they could be one of the first teams dumped out of the tournament, as it’s difficult to see how England won’t claim all three points at Wembley.
(Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Stuart Thomas
Sweden, Czech Republic, England
Slokavia loom as the dark horse everyone loves to see at a major football tournament, yet the bookies still seem to think Sweden will have too much experience for them. I’ll lean the Swedes’ way without any real conviction, based mostly on what was an excellent defensive performance against Spain a few days back.
How Croatia are favourites heading into the match with the Czech Republic is beyond me. I don’t think they should be, and I feel the Czechs might be the most dangerous floating team in the tournament should they qualify for the knockout phase. This could be a tight one, potentially a goalless draw, yet I’ll hitch my wagon with the outsiders for an upset.
It is near impossible to see the Scots going all Braveheart and knocking off traditional rival England, yet I guess stranger things have happened. Not in this match, however. England need a more polished performance than their opener and Scotland could well be on the end of a three or four-goal demolition. A double to Harry Kane.
Texi Smith
Sweden, Croatia, England
Sweden gained all the plaudits for holding out Spain on Match Day 1, but let’s be honest: they could and should have been ripped apart. Slovakia, on the other hand, were marvellous against Poland even before the Poles were reduced in numbers. This is a very difficult one to pick, as the heart says Slovakia will be too good for a Sweden team who are almost spent after the first game, but the head is going for a Sweden win. A fortuitous deflected strike from distance by Albin Ekdal to settle the result in the second half.
Do it again, do it again! That strike from Patrik Schick was something else, and he will be the focal point of the Czech Republic strike force as they go in search of a win that will secure them an unlikely passage into the Round of 16. They’re up against the might and power of Croatia though. Luka Modric was outstanding against England. He was the puppet master of the team, his teammates anticipating his every move, and he’ll do it again, this time further up the field. A goal either side of halftime will be enough for Croatia.
England versus Scotland evokes many memories. Another Alan Rough mistake. A John Robertson penalty at Wembley. Chris Waddle’s bullet header at Hampden. Richard Gough across the keeper for 1-0. Goalposts trashed. Washing up liquid in the fountain at Trafalgar Square. Uri Geller’s mind power in Euro 96. Don Hutchison’s winner.
Nothing can save Scotland this time round, though. Hopeless romantics had Scotland down to win against the Czech Republic, but they were found out. England started bravely against Croatia but faded to grind out a slender win. This time it’s serious. The speed of passing, pace and intricacy of England will blow Scotland away, and a Lyndon Dykes consolation at the death will be all they have after conceding five goals in a frenetic game. It’s not coming home yet, but it might have finished its pint and grabbed its coat.
Pablo Bateson
Sweden, Czech Republic, England
Sweden held on well for an invaluable point in Seville, and a win here would probably already be enough to ensure progression beyond the group stage. Slovakia surprised many with the win over Poland, yet will find it much tougher here to break down their opponent’s solid defence. A narrow win to Blagult in a low-scoring game seems a likely outcome in Saint Petersburg, with rising young star striker Alexander Isak primed to open his goalscoring account at the tournament.
The Czech Republic’s convincing win over Scotland included one of the most spectacular goals in the long history of European championships. By contrast, Croatia produced an underwhelming performance in their opening game and seem to be a shadow of the side that was runner up at Russia 2018. One line of thought is that Croatia will step up a notch to get back into contention for a top-two finishing position in the group. However, their form since October last year has been ordinary, with their only two wins over that period being against low ranked nations.
It will need a lot more than the inspiration of veteran star captain Luka Modric for Vatreni to thwart the Lokomotiva. I’m going for the latter to prevail in a very tight and potentially fiery affair.
Flashback to the 1996 European Championship and Paul Gascoigne produced a sublime goal on the way to England overwhelming Scotland at Wembley Stadium. The Scottish side is highly vulnerable again at the same venue, and it will take a remarkable turnaround from their previous game to avoid another defeat. England did just enough to win over Croatia and will improve on that performance as they build into the tournament. It’s hard to see anything other than an outcome that assures the Three Lions of advancing to the Round of 16.
| Match Day 2 | Mike | Stuart | Texi | Pablo | The Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWE vs SVK | SWE | SWE | SWE | SWE | ? |
| CRO vs CZE | CRO | CZE | CRO | CZE | ? |
| ENG vs SCO | ENG | ENG | ENG | ENG | ? |
| Yesterday | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ? |
| Total | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | ? |
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