GROUP E
POLAND | SLOVAKIA | SPAIN | SWEDEN
POLAND
SLOVAKIA
Does Paulo Sousa have enough time to implement a winning style that suits record goalscorer Robert Lewandowski? Having only taken on the role in January, the Portuguese has promised a more attack-minded approach to appease the Bayern Munich hitman but at what cost elsewhere?
It’s difficult to find too many positives for Slovakia. The Repre have underwhelmed for a while on the international circuit and their lack of invention in the final-third heaps extra pressure on a defence that’s nothing better than ordinary.
March’s World Cup qualifiers highlighted defensive flaws that will require fixing, and in a group containing conservative Sweden and Slovakia, Poland will need to be on-guard to avoid an early exit.
Taking on Spain on matchday three could prove to be a blessing if the hosts have already secured top honours in the group, but overcoming Poland and/or Sweden is probably a task too tall for Stefan Tarkovic’s troops.
KEY MATCH: SWEDEN v POLAND Spain in Seville will be hard to stop so Sweden and Poland know their clash in the final round of Group E could prove pivotal for progress. Provided pool outsiders Slovakia are dismissed by the duo early doors, this match-up is likely to decide which nation guarantees knockout football.
SPAIN
SWEDEN
Luis Enrique’s arrival should put Spain back amongst the continental elite and progression to the last-16 is expected with a minimum of fuss.
Having achieved relative success at the 2018 World Cup, Sweden supporters are wanting more. Janne Andersson’s awkward outfit will prove stiff opposition for their Group E rivals and possess the more rounded challenge from outside Spain to be considered second favourites in the pool.
La Roja will welcome their three group opponents to the searing furnace of Seville in summer where conditions should suit a comfortable stroll to the top of the group.
Even without Zlatan in tow, the Scandinavians are to be respected..
NEED TO KNOW
As the odds suggest, the market is struggling to split the pair yet we’d prefer to be on the side of the Swedes. With Poland’s late coaching change, and concerns over a fading backline, the Scandinavians consistency, organisation and rugged approach is preferred in the ultra-competitive contest.
n Poland have fallen at the group-stage hurdle in five of their past six major tournament appearances. n Slovakia have reached the knockout stages in both of their previous major tournament appearances, returning W1D1-L1 in both group-stages.
n Spain have managed a solitary success (W1-D2-L2) in their last five major tournament openers. n Sweden have fallen at the group-stage in four of their most recent five appearances at the European Championships and only once progressed past the quarter-finals.
WELOVEBETTING VERDICT Sweden, Poland and Slovakia face the unenviable task of t a k i n g on Spain in the melting pot of Seville in
mid-summer, whilst travelling to and from St Petersburg for their remaining pool encounters. That alone should give La Roja a helping hand in sewing up top spot in the pool. With powderpuff Slovakia struggling to make any inroads in the final-third,
Sweden and Poland will be expected to battle it out for a runners-up berth in an intriguing battle to progress in Group E. PREDICTED FINISH
3
SPAIN SWEDEN POLAND
4
SLOVAKIA
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