Northern Ireland vs Poland
Northern Ireland make their return to major tournament football on Sunday afternoon when they go up against a strong Poland side in the opening match of Group C in Euro2016. Northern Ireland shocked many in qualifying for this tournament but aren’t here just to make up the numbers.
Germany and Ukraine are the other two sides in this group so a fast start is imperative for them both if they are to make it out of what is going to be such a competitive group that only two sides might come out of it which isn’t ideal for either of these two.
Optimism has really grown in Poland in recent times and when you boast arguably the best centre forward in the world at your disposal why wouldn’t it? Robert Lewandowski is a guarantee to score goals if given the service and there in is the acid question. Will they provide him with enough service?
Poland came through a qualifying group which had Germany in it so they’ll probably be getting sick of seeing them. The other three sides in this section shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that if you stop the Bayern Munich forward Lewandowski you stop Poland. They have other threats not least in the Ajax forward Arkadiusz Milik.
Key Man
For all the other players in this squad it is the form of Robert Lewandowski that is going to decide whether this is a good tournament for the Poles or a special one. He has 34 goals in 76 caps for his country and with the back up and support to him much stronger now he should get even more chances as this tournament progresses.
Amazingly Northern Ireland go into this tournament with the best current unbeaten streak of any side at these finals and that statistic alone shows all the credit that Michael O’Neill deserves for what he has done with this side.
Don’t underrate this team. They are well organised. They keep it tight with three centre backs who all play in the Premier League and in Kyle Lafferty up front they have a man who bagged seven goals in qualifying and if he has a few more in him Northern Ireland might not have finished surprising people.
Key Man
Steven Davis is the man who makes Northern Ireland tick. His driving runs from midfield are often laced with quality either during them or at the end. He can create chances and he can deny chances. He’s a solid box to box midfielder and very much the standout in this Northern Ireland squad.
Team News
It has come to light that winger Kamil Grosicki picked up an injury in a friendly last week which makes him a doubt here. That might back the decision to leave players like Maciej Rybus out of the squad a bad one if Grosicki isn’t fit.
Northern Ireland will be without their captain Chris Brunt in this tournament as he has been ruled out of it with the injury he suffered playing for West Brom in the Premier League towards the end of the season. Kyle Lafferty has had a groin problem in the run up to the competition but he is set to be fit.
Head to Head
Surprisingly in the nine previous matches these two sides have played it is Northern Ireland with a narrow 4-3 winning lead with two draws for good measure as well. Interestingly Poland are without a win in two matches against Northern Ireland which could add a different complexion onto this match heading into it.
Betting
I think this has all the hallmarks of being an extremely tight match as long as Northern Ireland don’t freeze on the big stage. Of the three debutants we’ve seen in the tournament thus far none of them have frozen and I don’t expect Northern Ireland too either with the Green Army behind them as passionately as they will be.
I see Poland are being well supported for this match but I don’t underestimate Northern Ireland at all and Poland look far too short to me even allowing for the fact that prior to last week’s defeat to Holland in a friendly Poland’s only defeat in two years came against Germany in qualifying.
That said Northern Ireland are in brilliant form themselves. They’re unbeaten in 12 matches and have only conceded one goal in their last five so if they can nick a goal they might just hold on to it.
I’m not sure they will nick a goal though. I think Poland will just about have enough about them to get this done. I think Northern Ireland will give this a good go but ultimately the quality in the forward areas for Poland will allow them to edge this match.
Tips
WON – Back Poland to win by 1 goal for a 3/10 stake at 3.40 with Bet365
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