UKRAINE AIMS TO IMPRESS HOME CROWD VERSUS FRANCE

UKRAINE	Tournament Statistics (as of June 15, 2012)		FRANCE
2	Goals Scored		1
5	Attempts On Target		15
8	Attempts Off Target		4
3	Corners		11
12	Fouls Committed		9
0	Yellow Cards		0
0	Red Cards		0
PREDICTED STARTING LINEUPS
Ukraine (3-5-2)		Pyatov; Selin, Khacheridi, Mykhalyk; Tymoschuk, Gusev, Yarmolenko, Nazarenko, Konoplyanka; Shevchenko, Voronin
France (4-2-3-1)		Lloris; Evra, Méxes, Rami, Debuchy; Diarra, M’Vila; Ribéry, Nasri, Valbuena; Benzema

Date: June 16, 2012

Time: 12:00 AM (GMT +8:00)

DONETSK: Group D is expected to undergo a tremendous turn of events as France returns to Donbass to face host Ukraine on home advantage. France is stuck in a 1-1 draw versus England, a record that calls for better winning resolve from Les Bleus. Ukraine, on the other hand, currently tops Group D after they trounced Sweden before an energetic home crowd at 2-1.

Ukraine must repeat their feat against Sweden in order to get past through France – an international favorite to win Group D. If not, their chances of winning the group stage can be ruined, especially when they face England in their final group match.

Previous Matches

France and Ukraine met for 6 times. Ukraine never won against Les Bleus, with a lackluster record of 3 losses and 3 draws.

The teams recently met at a friendly in Donetsk last 2011. France shattered Ukraine at 4-1, with 2 goals coming from midfielder Marvin Martin.

Throughout those 6 meetings, France evidently grew stronger, particularly in terms of offense. In contrast, Ukraine has yet to be consistent in their winning form, particularly in improving their shaky defense.

Pre-Match Developments

Significant changes are not likely for both teams. No players from both sides are injured. France’s starting lineup might change a little if Laurent Blanc decides to put midfielder Yann M’Vila in place of Yohan Cabaye.

Oleh Blokhin will likely retain Ukraine’s current starting squad, given their impressive performance last Tuesday.

Ukraine-France Predictions

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A crucial factor in this match is the frail defense of both teams. The absence of injured defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy in Ukraine’s lineup can further cripple their efforts to defend the goal. France’s defense must learn not to rely too much on their team’s attacking power. Otherwise, they might be damaged by Ukraine’s desire to score before their home crowd. Ukraine’s legendary striker Andriy Shevchenko is one player Les Bleus have to watch out.

A repeat of France’s 2011 friendly victory against Ukraine is highly possible in this game. Their offensive stride powered by Karim Benzema, Franck Ribéry, Mathieu Valbuena and Samir Nasri (who scored France’s goal during its match versus England) can make Ukraine’s weak defense useless. The international pedigree of French players reflects more experience. That gives Les Bleus an obvious victory in their second Group D fixture, despite playing against Ukraine in their home field.

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Spain Looks Forward to Advance versus Republic of Ireland

SPAIN	Tournament Statistics (as of June 14, 2012)		REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
1	Goals Scored		1
9	Attempts On Target		5
9	Attempts Off Target		8
7	Corners		1
12	Fouls Committed		12
3	Yellow Cards		1
0	Red Cards		0
PREDICTED STARTING LINEUPS
Spain (4-2-3-1)		Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Alonso, Busquets; Xavi, Iniesta, Silva; Torres
Ireland (4-4-2)		Given; Ward, Dunne, St Ledger, O’Shea; McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff; Walters, Keane

Spain (N) vs. Ireland Match Preview 

Date: June 15, 2012

Time: 2:45 AM (GMT +8:00)

GDANSK: The prospects of Group C teams have become more unpredictable after Republic of Ireland suffered a disappointing loss versus Croatia at 3-1. Spain and Italy stalled one another in a draw at 1-1, citing signals of stronger winning determination from both teams.

Spain’s duty as defending champion is to strengthen their defense in order to thwart any scoring attempt of Republic of Ireland – a feat which can determine La Roja’s defense of their championship title. Republic of Ireland, on the other hand, has to recoup from their fatal mistakes against Croatia which caused the Croat’s currently wide gap from the rest of Group C.

Previous Matches

The most recent match between Spain and Republic of Ireland was during the 2002 World Cup. The match was a closely-fought one at 1-1, only to be won by Spain via a penalty shootout.

Spain won all of their last 15 competitive games, including their 2010 World Cup championship title. They are also the champions of EURO 2008.

Republic of Ireland was unbeaten in 14 matches (both competitive and friendly). Their 3-1 loss to Croatia was their heaviest major tournament loss.

Pre-Match Developments

It is unsure whether Vicente Del Bosque will pit in Fernando Torres in Spain’s starting lineup after the striker failed to show competence during their match against Italy. Their six-man midfield against the Azzurri might be altered, although changes have yet to be announced.

Giovanni Trapattoni, on the other hand, is persistent with his current starting lineup. Despite his team’s poor performance versus Croatia, no changes have been announced on Republic of Ireland’s starters.

Spain-Republic of Ireland Predictions

Sports Statistics Information Centre

(as of June 14, 2012)

v  Disclaimer: All information above is provided free for members as a 12BET service. The prediction statistics are purely a view point and there is no guarantee on the returns. Hence all members or visitors are requested to apply their prudence before acting on any of the recommendations. Neither 12BET nor any of its promoters, members, or employees holds any responsibility of any losses incurred (if any) by acting on the recommendations.

Republic of Ireland is placed at a difficult time after their focus on strengthening their defensive and counterattacking techniques have been shattered by a solid Croatia. The Irish squad lacked strikers in their roster, thus they are faced with the challenge of how to shoot the ball inside the net.

Spain, on the other hand, has to return to playing formidable possession football, which helped them gain their 2008 EURO and 2010 World Cup championship titles. Their recent match against Italy was far from resembling their usual possessiveness of the ball, which became apparent when the Azzurri treaded comfortably on La Roja’s midfield.

Overall, Spain can expect a convenient win against the Republic of Ireland, especially if they choose to become more firm in their possessive playing approach. Spain can be countered with frustrations if Republic of Ireland strengthens their defensive play for this match. 

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Denmark meets up Portugal in 2012 European Championship

Portugal (N) vs. Denmark June 14, 2012 12:00am GMT+8

June 13, 2012 – for the fifth time after four years Denmark and Portugal will meet again I a competitive fight on Wednesday. This two teams have been drawn together and both qualify the 2010 world Cup and Euro 2012. Portugal was known for their qualifying through playoff while Denmark directly qualified for the finals from gaining more points.

This is the first of those five games that will be played at a neutral site, and based on the results of the last four games, this should add some serious unpredictability to the match. In World Cup qualifying, Denmark shockingly upset Portugal on the road, then drew them at home. In both of their Euro 2012 qualifying matches, the home side won.

Portugal played seventy odd minutes of defensive football against Germany, they set out their stall to be defensive and relied on Ronaldo creating something on his own up front but the one positive from the loss to Germany was once they went behind Portugal opened up and played football creating three guilt edged chances that should have been converted and should what they can do going forward. Hopefully the Portugese will be let off the leash from the start here against a dogged Denmark. In two games in qualifying for the tournament Portugal beat Denmark 4-1 at home but lost 2-1 away. This is an intriguing game and with the likes of Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo, Meireles, Pepe and Contreau there is plenty of talent here in this Portugal side and they know they must win.

Denmark pulled off the shock of the first round beating the Netherlands 1-0. While the Oranje dominated the game and created a heap of chances Denmark did defend well. Daniel agger the Danish captain is the rock at the back and will be the key player for Denmark in the marshalling of Cristiano Ronaldo who will play through the center. With Bendtner and Eriksen through the center this is a solid side built on hard work. Coach Olsen will look for more of the same agaisnt Portugal, play on the counter attack and hold a high solid defensive line. Ericksen wasnt great for me in the first game in the group but he is still young and it was hard for an attacking player as Denmark were defending for so long.

Possible Lineups

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POLAND VS. RUSSIA LIVE 2:45 AM GMT+8 @ 12BET.COM

POLAND VS. RUSSIA LIVE 2:45 AM GMT+8 @ 12BET.COM

PROBABLE LINEUPS

POLAND Tyton Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch Murawski, Polanski Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus Lewandowski

RUSSIA Malafeev Anyukov, Igna'vich, A.Berezutskiy, Zhirkov Shirokov, Denisov, Zyryanov Dzagoev, Kerzhakov, Arshavin

After their 1-1 draw against Greece in the opening game of Euro 2012 on Friday, Poland will be without first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who received his marching orders after bringing down Dimitris Salpingidis in the box. Przemyslaw Tyton will be named as his replacement versus Dick Advocaat's side after impressing with his penalty stop from Giorgos Karagounis' spot-kick to earn his team a point.

• Poland are still awaiting their first ever victory at the finals of a European Championship. Their record currently reads two draws, two defeats. 

• Following his strike against Greece, Robert Lewandowski now has 15 goals in 43 international appearances. 

• When the sides last met in August 2007, late strikes from Jacek Krzynowek and Jakub Blaszczykowski earned the Poles a 2-2 friendly draw in Moscow.

• The goal conceded by Poland when Greek substitute Dimitris Salpingidis netted a second-half equaliser in the opening match was the first the Poles have conceded in their last five matches.

• Russia's impressive 4-1 win over Czech Republic means they are now 15 games unbeaten, leaking in only five times along the way.

• Following his double in Friday's win, Alan Dzagoev (pictured right) has now netted five goals in his last three competitive international appearances.

• Russia's win over the Czechs was an exact role reversal to how they started Euro 2008 when they lost their opening encounter 4-1 to Spain before then going on to win their next three fixtures. Spain then knocked them out of the competition with a 3-0 win in the semi-finals.

• If Advocaat's side win against Poland, they will be through to the quarter-finals regardless of the result between Greeze and Czech Republic.

Source: goal.com/en/match/71165/poland-vs-russia/preview

EURO 2012 MATCH 7 | France and England Meet Again in UEFA 2012

EURO 2012 MATCH 7 | France and England Meet Again in UEFA 2012 Live 12:00AM GMT+8

England (probable) : Hart, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Cole, Milner, Gerrard, Parker, Downing, Welbeck, Young.

France (probable) : Lloris, Debuchy, Mexes, Rami, Evra, Cabaye, Diarra, Malouda, Nasri, Ribery, Benzema.

There has been a 714-day wait between England's disappointing World Cup exit and their opening Euro 2012 game.

Much has happened since then - but most of it during the last six months. First there was Uefa's two-game suspension for Wayne Rooney as a result of his sending off in qualifying. Then, in February, Fabio Capello quit as head coach following the FA's decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy for a second time.

Most recently a spate of injuries has seen pundits and punters alike write Roy Hodgson's England off before the tournament has even begun. Can the new England manager and his class of 2012 change opinions on the pitch when it matters most?

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

·         France beat England 2-1 in their opening match of Euro 2004, the last competitive meeting between the two countries. Zinedine Zidane scored an injury-time double after Frank Lampard had headed England ahead.

·         Their only other European Championship finals meeting was a goalless draw in Malmo at Euro 92.

·         France are unbeaten in five matches against England (W4, D1), and have won the last three. Their last defeat was at Le Tournoi on 7 June 1997, when Alan Shearer scored the only goal.

France

·         Laurent Blanc could emulate Germany's Berti Vogts, the only man to win the European Championship as both player and coach (in 1972 and 1996).

·         Les Bleus have claimed just two points from six group matches at the last two major tournaments.

·         France scored 15 times in qualifying - Greece (14) are the only side at Euro 2012 who netted fewer. The Danes and the Czech Republic also scored 15, with the Czechs' tally including three play-off goals.

·         Karim Benzema has scored more goals (seven) and recorded more assists (five) than any other French player since Blanc took over.

·         In 202 minutes of football for France, Olivier Giroud has delivered three assists and scored one goal.

·         Only five players have featured in the Champions League and European Championship final in the same season. France could potentially add two more names to this group in the form of Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda.

England

·         England have played in the most European Championships (seven) without managing to win the tournament. They have also been eliminated in the group stage four times, more than anyone else.

·         They have failed to win their opening match in all seven previous European Championships (D3, L4). They have lost the last two - 3-2 v Portugal in 2000 and 2-1 v France in 2004.

·         Manager Roy Hodgson has faced France once before in international football. His Switzerland side won 2-1 against them in a friendly match in Lausanne in May 1992.

·      Sixteen of the 19 goals that England have scored since the turn of 2011 have come in the opening hour.John Terry and Joleon Lescott have started just two games together for England - both wins against Andorra in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.