With one group done and dusted - with a less than entertaining scoreless draw France topped group A with Switzerland finishing in second place. In third Albania will be hoping their three points will be enough to finish in the top four of the third-place rankings.
Today there are also only two games on schedule, again both at 9pm CET. On Stadium de Toulouse, Russia will try to salvage their disappointing Euro campaign against Wales, while in Saint-Etienne Slovakia will take on England. None of the four teams are mathematically guaranteed advancement, but even if England lose they are likely to advance, even if they drop all the way down to third place. England are expected to rotate heavily as Roy Hodgson will try some new combinations in order to improve on some disappointing areas, most notably in attack where Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge are expected to start.
The math for Slovakia is a bit more difficult. With a win they earn a top-two finish, a win combined with a Wales loss or draw the Slovaks would top the group. Even a draw will be enough for Slovakia to advance directly but in that case Russia have to beat Wales. A Slovakia draw coupled with Wales at least earning a point would leave Slovakia in a gruel wait to see if they are among the top placed third-placed teams. A Slovakia loss and a Russia win would end Slovakia's hopes today.
Wales control their own destiny as they are in a "win and they're in" situation, which assures them of at least second place. A Wales win coupled with a Slovakia win would even see Wales top the group. A draw should also be enough for Wales to progress as four points should be enough to advance as a third-place finisher. In the event of a loss, Wales will be in a tough spot as they will have to see Slovakia lose and cross their fingers and hope that three points in third place would be enough.
The situation for Russia is fairly simple. For any hope of extending their Euro stay they have to win - but even that might not be enough, but baring a surprising event it should be. A Russia win and a Slovakia loss, however, would propel Russia all the way to second place.
All those combinations should lead to an exciting day of football. Hopefully we will not be disappointed.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts http://ift.tt/28LOcwD
0 التعليقات:
إرسال تعليق