Journalist Martynas Pocius continues to share his predictions for the European Championship (you can read yesterday's diary entry here).
The streak of misfortune continues. All non-optimistic bets related to the Spain - Ireland match (ball possession time and number of shots on goal) came true, but hopes were not met in both combinations in the matches of the Italian and Croatian national teams. The Croats failed to enter the distant area twice, and the Italians did not score more than 1 goal.
Well, I won't give up and, humming "The Fields of Athenry," which the Irish fantastically sang during the last 7 minutes of yesterday's match, I am trying once again to invite the luck that may have strayed somewhere.
The second round of group stage matches in Group D closes today with matches between Ukraine - France and England - Sweden.
Balance: 884.70 Lt
England - Sweden Sweden has an advantage in shots on goal (0.0) and Ukraine - France France scores more than 1.5 goals (total odds 4.00). Bet - 15 Lt.
England showed nothing new against France: they played "second fiddle" and tried to counterattack. Only S. Nasri's skill helped the French secure a point. The Swedes hit the Ukrainian goal 6 times, while the English hit the French goal only once. We cannot expect a very clear advantage from the Swedes, but I believe they will try to win. But how to win if they don't score?
After the victory against the Swedes, Ukraine is in a "pole" position, to speak in Formula 1 terms. The tournament hosts, I think, will play defensively and try to use what worked for them in the first matches - quick attacks, but they will no longer have a clear striker in defense. The French national team's attacking arsenal is truly impressive, and they will need to attack because in another draw, a win in the third match may not be enough, and the history of this championship shows that one goal guarantees victory only in Group B.
Ukraine - France total yellow cards 48.5 (total odds 3.42). Bet - 15Lt.
After the first round, the statistics are simple: Ukraine - 0 cards, France - 0 cards. I ask the referee to take this into account.
Again, just statistics. Recall at least one match where, under R. Hodgson's leadership, England's team kept possession of the ball longer than the opponent. Correct - there were none. And I do not see any reason why this should change today.
Ukraine - France the second team will win and England - Sweden will end in a draw (total odds 6.56). Bet - 10 Lt.
The chapter "we are teasing luck." Luck could finally start worrying and finally begin to smile, because the threat of losing that luck is becoming very significant.