What would seem a relatively straight forward group to predict on paper, I expect some shocks in this one with host Ukraine certainly looking to impress home fans.
1st - France
The form team coming into the tournament, France are the pick of many pundits. Laurent Blanc has come in and changed the philosophy of the side with exciting young players replacing the argumentative old guard. Yann M'Vila's absence due to injury will be disappointing but Yohan Cabaye is more than capable anchoring the midfield. Their success will also rely on Benzema continuing his good form and Ribery showing up at international level which hasn't happened in a while. Watch out for Olivier Giroud coming off the bench also.
2nd - Sweden
Again, all 3 of the others have a decent claim for second. England would seem the obvious choice but have been hit by injuries in each position and the loss of Rooney for the first two games could prove their downfall. Carroll is tipped to be the lone striker (hardly fear-inducing) with Walcott and Young behind him. If these two perform well then England have a chance but their inconsistency is their downfall. Preparations have been hampered by a change of manager and the Terry/Ferdinand row. Could be a similar outcome to France's poor showing in 2010. Ukraine possess some excellent young players in Yarmolenko and Dnipro's Konoplyanka and Tymoshchuk and Gusev are still very capable at this level. Up front they are short, Voronin and Shevchenko are past their best and Milevskiy is enigmatic. I'm opting for the tidy Swedes who look may continue to play Ibrahimovic in the hole where he is very effective. Despite losing to England in last years friendly, they have an impeccable record against them and a Rooney-less England could struggle against the organised Swedes again.
Opening Fixtures Predictions:
France -0.0/0.5 vs England at 2.02
Ukraine and Sweden to draw at 3.36
1st - France
The form team coming into the tournament, France are the pick of many pundits. Laurent Blanc has come in and changed the philosophy of the side with exciting young players replacing the argumentative old guard. Yann M'Vila's absence due to injury will be disappointing but Yohan Cabaye is more than capable anchoring the midfield. Their success will also rely on Benzema continuing his good form and Ribery showing up at international level which hasn't happened in a while. Watch out for Olivier Giroud coming off the bench also.
2nd - Sweden
Again, all 3 of the others have a decent claim for second. England would seem the obvious choice but have been hit by injuries in each position and the loss of Rooney for the first two games could prove their downfall. Carroll is tipped to be the lone striker (hardly fear-inducing) with Walcott and Young behind him. If these two perform well then England have a chance but their inconsistency is their downfall. Preparations have been hampered by a change of manager and the Terry/Ferdinand row. Could be a similar outcome to France's poor showing in 2010. Ukraine possess some excellent young players in Yarmolenko and Dnipro's Konoplyanka and Tymoshchuk and Gusev are still very capable at this level. Up front they are short, Voronin and Shevchenko are past their best and Milevskiy is enigmatic. I'm opting for the tidy Swedes who look may continue to play Ibrahimovic in the hole where he is very effective. Despite losing to England in last years friendly, they have an impeccable record against them and a Rooney-less England could struggle against the organised Swedes again.
Opening Fixtures Predictions:
France -0.0/0.5 vs England at 2.02
Ukraine and Sweden to draw at 3.36
expect them to be last in group with 1 point
