Opinion
After some of the heavyweights made real statements over the last few days, it is France, Portugal, Germany and Spain with the opportunity to do the same on the final day of Match Day 2 action at Euro 2020.
Hungary should be outclassed by the French while Germany have everything on the line when they tackle Cristiano Ronaldo and his quality Portuguese side in Munich. In the late match, Spain will go in as heavy favourites against Poland.
The voice of the crowd appears to be slowly but surely moving clear in the tipping, as the experts look for upsets in order to make ground. Good luck with your tips for the night ahead and be sure to enter them in the sheet below to have a say as the ever-important voice of the crowd.
Here is the way the panel sees all the action unfolding tonight.
Mike Tuckerman
France, draw, Spain
Hungary might have a jam-packed Ferenc Puskas Stadium behind them but the good news ends there for the Magyars. They pushed Portugal all the way in their opening group-stage game, but three goals conceded in the final six minutes means the Hungarians have a mountain to climb.
Unfortunately for them they’ll come up against a France side looking to blow off the cobwebs after a frustrating 1-0 win over Germany last time out. Kylian Mbappe looks in the mood and after his disallowed goal, he could rip the Hungarian defence to shreds in Budapest.
Here’s the thing about a clash between Germany and Portugal in Munich: the Germans are nowhere near as good as what many pundits think they are, while the Portuguese are arguably slightly better than many give them credit for. Germany were lucky to come away from their opening game with only a 1-0 defeat to France and while they’re technically the away team in Munich, the fact very few fans will be allowed in takes away what little advantage they might have enjoyed.
Cristiano Ronaldo never fails to fire up against the big guns. I reckon they’ll cancel each other out.
I feel like Spain would have more luck if they stuck me up front rather than the luckless and lamented Alvaro Morata. Long gone are the days of tiki-taka from a Spain side that’s more functional than free-flowing, but they should just about have enough quality to down an equally one-dimensional Poland.
This game might devolve into a clash of Spain’s XI versus Robert Lewandowski, although the Poles will need to find a way to actually service the Bayern front man. If Spain are to win this game it might be by the narrowest of margins, with both sides desperate for a result.
Robert Lewandowski. (Photo by Andrew Surma/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Stuart Thomas
France, Portugal, Spain
I’m tipping France against Hungary because the French still look favourites for the tournament, Hungary appear bereft of the class to match them and logic says Les Bleus will waft them away without much of a care. Pretty simple really.
From what we have all seen over the last 15 years, Cristiano Ronaldo is never to be forgotten and an occasion in Munich against the Germans will probably prove all the motivation he needs to produce another virtuoso performance. Germany are a weak animal compared to their normal state and the Portuguese will strike with venom to kill them off for good.
Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
It is hard to see Poland beating Spain, especially after the frustration of Match Day 1 where 86 per cent of possession was still not enough to get the Spaniards over the line against Sweden. There will be a cutting edge in the Spanish tonight and Poland might well be on the end of a three or four-goal thrashing.
Texi Smith
France, Germany, Spain
Hungary can consider themselves very unlucky to go 84 minutes without conceding a goal and finish 3-0 down against a wasteful Portugal. On another day, however, it could have been a cricket score. The French were a whisker from turning on the style against Germany – had Karim Benzema’s goal stood, Germany were in for a torrid end to the game.
This time there will be no mistakes, France will hold a slightly fortuitous two-goal lead at the break, and add two more during a showpiece second half.
Portugal sliced through Hungary like a spoon through goulash and should have scored a lot more. With Bruno Fernandes ticking and Cristiano Ronaldo atoning for his profligacy in the first half, they looked the full package towards the end. Germany will be heartened by their showing against powerhouse France and had chances to get the equaliser in a surprisingly open match.
This has all the elements for a classic encounter. Pre-tournament I had Portugal to win, but I’m doing a dangerous flip-flop and going with Germany now. I may regret that decision. It all hinges on the substitutions. If Kevin Volland gets any minutes, Germany will lose as that’s the ultimate act of desperation. Germany to win 2-1.
Joachim Löw, head coach of Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Spain will be smarting from that draw with Sweden. How they didn’t convert their 86 per cent possession and 17 to 4 shots on goal is beyond belief. The pressure is on to get the job done against Poland and the players will certainly feel it. Poland were second best even with eleven men against Slovakia and will be massive underdogs, but thanks to the heroics of Wojciech Szczesny they will keep themselves in this game well into the second half, even managing to hit the bar through Piotr Zielinski.
Once the white handkerchiefs have come out, Spain will finally break the seal and score three unanswered goals to restore some pride. Adama Traore to be instrumental from the bench and terrorise the Polish defence with his powerful running as Spain march into the Round of 16.
Pablo Bateson
France, draw, Spain
Quite simply, the reigning world champions France are in superb shape, will step up another notch and be far too good for Hungary. This would all but end any lingering realistic hopes for the latter to progress out of the group and confirm a place in the Round of 16 for Les Bleus.
Portugal versus Germany promises to be one of most intriguing clashes of the tournament so far. Contrasting styles, one side already in devastating form and their opponent struggling uncharacteristically for any fluency.
Despite their apparent current deficiencies, it would be crazy to write off any German national team and they will be set up by coach Joachim Löw for a big bounce back performance. If they can somehow constrain or limit the influence of Ronaldo, then at least a draw is achievable. However, it is hard to imagine there won’t be at least a few goals at the Allianz Arena in Munich, especially as the game opens up in the latter stages.
Poland produced an indifferent performance in their opening defeat and star striker/captain Robert Lewandowski needs to produce his best for them to help force at least a draw with Spain. Anything less and they will already be out of contention for the knock-out phase.
La Roja dominated possession over Sweden yet were wasteful with their chances created on goal. It needs the likes of Morata and Ferran Torres to seize the opportunities and if this happens then Spain can blow their opponents away, just as they did Germany last November.
| Match Day 2 | Mike | Stuart | Texi | Pablo | The Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUN vs FRA | FRA | FRA | FRA | FRA | ? |
| POR vs GER | Draw | POR | GER | Draw | ? |
| ESP vs POL | ESP | ESP | ESP | ESP | ? |
| Yesterday | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 |
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