England v Ukraine Euro 2012 betting sees Roy Hodgson’s men with a place in the quarter finals in their sights. After a dull opening encounter of a 1-1 draw against France, England were involved in a stressful nail-biter against Sweden in their second match of Group D. Holding a 1-0 lead at half time, England collapsed at the start of the second half and quickly saw themselves trailing 2-1 and on the back foot. Fortunately, goals from Theo Walcott and Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck gave the Three Lions the three points they desperately needed. They now sit in second place, level on four points with France, and so it is a shoot out now for top spot, which could be crucial because that will mean avoiding Spain in the quarter finals.
But first things first, England need to secure a point against co-hosts of Euro 2012 the Ukraine. A point will be enough to see them through to the knock-out stage, while a win could put them in position for top spot, with France expected to beat the eliminated Sweden in the other match. In order for England to win the group, they need overturn France’s one goal advantage in the goal difference stats. So the Three Lions need to do whatever France manage to do against Sweden, but one goal better. If England and France finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored, England take top spot on co-efficiency. So there is a chance of top spot if England are positive enough.
England v Ukraine Euro 2012 odds at Paddy Power
England 5/4, Draw 23/10, Ukraine 12/5
Roy Hodgson could be without the star of the victory over Sweden, Theo Walcott, who is struggling with a hamstring injury. Walcott came on at 2-1 and turned the game around for England, with a goal and an assist. So it is unlikely that he is going to be risked as a starter and will probably go from the bench against the Ukraine. Making a start will be Wayne Rooney, who can come in and really start repaying the nation with a top class performance. England do need his goals, and just as importantly, they need his link up play with the midfield. There is no other forward in the squad who can perform the task of dropping deep into space like Rooney and it adds an extra dimension to England’s game. The England midfield is a big worry, with Steven Gerrard looking a little short of pace and Scott Parker giving the ball away on too many occasions, and they look as if they need an extra man in there. England have been terribly guilty of not maintaining any quality possession at Euro 2012 so far, and they need to learn how to control the game better from the start, simply by passing the ball around and holding onto it. It really is a great form of defence.
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England have only met the Ukraine four times before, and the head to head stands at 3-1 in England’s favour. The last time they met was in a 2010 World Cup qualifier, which England lost 1-0, when keeper Robert Green was sent off. The victory against Sweden, as hard as it was against a like-minded average side, because in European Championships matches where they have taken lead, England have failed to win eight out of fifteen times. So they aren’t great at holding onto leads in tournaments. So, if England are growing and Hodgson is learning about his side, then we should see a more cohesive England against the Ukraine, one which gets their foot on the ball. Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is likely to be the one sacrificed for the return of Rooney. England really should have enough to beat the Ukraine, who may well be without their talismanic veteran, Andriy Schevchenko. The former Chelsea man, who scored twice in the Ukraine’s win over Sweden, picked up a couple of knocks to his knees and may not be fully fit.
The scenario for the Ukraine is a little different than England’s. The Euro 2012 co-hosts need to come out and win to get through to the knock-out stage, as they start a point back of England and France. The Ukraine have not offered a tremendous deal going forward, and while everyone will be talking about the influence of the home crowd in Donetsk working in their favour, the Ukraine haven’t won in Donetsk in any of their previous six matches there. So not a great record, and there is going to be high pressure on them. They have to come out and play in order to try and get the win, and that could just be the ticket for England to get through, because Rooney could be afforded more and more space the more that the Ukraine push on. This is going to be a job for utter professionalism from England. Do they have it in them?
England v Ukraine Prediction: No reason why England can’t comfortably get a draw here. That should be a minimum target though, because it would be great to see them go out with intent and try and gun for top spot by putting the Ukraine to the sword. The difference Rooney makes is immense, and with good ability from set-plays, an England -0.75 Asian Handicap for 6/4 at online bookmaker Bet365 looks good.
