Greece v Czech Republic odds still don’t seem to recognise the threat which Greece are going to pose at Euro 2012. The bookies, pretty much across the board, have the Czech’s as outright favourites to win this match. The Czech Republic went down 4-1 against Russia in their opening match, and they do need a response. However, as good as the Russians were, the Czech Republic looked very average and didn’t have a great deal to offer in the game, neither at the back or going forward. This is one of the weakest Czech Republic sides we have seen in a long time, and the factor in this game is going to be simply whether they have any punch or creativity to crack a tough Greece side. The star for the Czech Republic in their first match was Vaclav Pilar, who looks a very solid player but the support wasn’t there really, and the Czech’s are not in a favourable position. If they don’t pull something out of this match, then they will be packing their backs and heading home. Do they have something left in the tank? Their confidence will have been dented, and the players themselves have admitted that scoreline in their heavy defeat was a fair reflection of the game.
Greece v Czech Republic Betting Odds at 888Sport
Czech Republic 6/4, Greece 15/8, Draw 12/5
Of course, facing Greece is going to be easier on the Czech Republic at the back than it was against the dynamic Russians. The Czech’s go into the match one point behind the Greeks and the Polish, so there is still a lot to play for. A win would be crucial here for the Czechs’ with Poland expected to lose against Russia in their second match. So maximum points for the Czech Republic could put them up into second place with a game to go. However, if they lose this to Greece and Russia win too, then they will be out. So spirits need to be high and they certainly need to be better in the centre of the park than they were, in order to try and create some better chances for themselves Fortunately Greece are not an open, expansive side, so there won’t be as much pressure on the Czech defence, which could allow them to settle in.
However, Greece are a solid side, and their second half performance against Poland, which earned them a 1-1 draw was pretty commendable. They had a bit of a sluggish start in the game, but gradually warmed up to make the match incredibly entertaining and showed why they could be a threat. The Euro 2004 winners have been rocked by injury though, as they will be without their two favoured centre halves. They have to get off to a stronger start against the Czech Republic than they did against Poland, because they longer they keep the game tight, the better chance they will have of taking at least a point. That is just what you would expect Greece to be doing, taking at least a point, because they work hard and they should have learned from the mistakes which they did make in that first game. They can’t be as nervous, and once they got their focus together, especially in the second half, they looked a decent side. Greece, who were undefeated through Euro 2012 qualification, aren’t a big threat going forward, but as they showed against Poland, they really are good enough for a draw. The last three meetings between these two have ended in a 0-0 draw, and one of those matches was a 1-0 extra time win in the second stage of that famous Euro 2004.
Prediction: People are quick to write off the Greeks, but they have a lot to offer through organisation. A Greece 0 Asian Handicap for 5/4 at Bet365 could pay off, because they can sneak through games like this.
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Greece v Czech Republic Betting Odds
Czech Republic 6/4, Greece 15/8, Draw 12/5 at 888Sprt
