Scotland and the Czech Republic are the first team to kick off on Monday after both teams will most likely watch the group favourites England on Sunday evening. The Scottish are known for their tough style and will definitely “bring it” in every match. Playing in the most populated Scottish city, Glasgow, the energy behind the home team should add the X-factor the Tartan Army are going to need. The Czech Republic have proved their ambitions in the European Championships with a silver medal in 1996, followed by a bronze in 2004, but have failed to do so in recent years after losing their big names like Petr Cech, Paval Nedved, Tomas Rosicky, and Marek Jankulovski who carried them in the past. An interesting affair to say the least will be on display.
Euro 2020: Group D
Monday 14 June
Hampden Park
15:00
To Win
Scotland 39/20
Draw 39/20
Czech Republic 33/20
Scotland
After failing against the bigger teams in their qualification process, Scotland’s never-say-die attitude was on full display in the play-offs against Israel and Serbia when they won both matches on penalties.
Scotland’s left side of the field will be their modus operandi. Steve Clarke has opted for a back three and a stacked five-man midfield. Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney has been getting used to a left centre-back role under Steve, with captain Andrew Robertson in a left wing-back to left midfield part in this lopsided picture as Aston Villa’s John McGinn sets up camp in the left of midfield and Newcastle United’s Ryan Fraser takes on the left wing. Not much else is going for the Scots other than Che Adams up front.
The fight in Scotland is ever present and will show up in a match against the Czechs, after all form is important, and the Scottish are unbeaten in five fixtures.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic’s warm up match against Italy was not one to take into the Euros after being walloped 4-0 in Bologna, Italy. Czech head coach Jaroslav Silhavy should be concerned over two straight defeats (match to be played on Tuesday 8th against Albania) going into the tournament. The Czech’s went into the 2016 tournament in a similar fashion and were unbale to win and were subsequently knocked out in the group stages.
In terms of their line-up, the Czechs are not spoilt for choice. West Ham’s Tomas Soucek and captain Vladimir Darida will have to hold the team together in the middle of the park, while Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick will hope to add to his international record of 10 goals in 24 games.
Another hope in the front of the park is a young budding forward by the name of Adam Hlozek. After earning a joint top goalscorer award in his domestic league, the 18-year-old centre-forward has since been called up to represent the first team. Yet to net his first international goal after two appearances, one being off the bench, you can wait for the line-up and add him as an Anytime Goalscorer at 10/1.
Prediction: Matchbet & Both Teams To Score: Draw & Yes (36/10)
This tie is looking to be the ultimate grind for each team. Both teams won’t want to lose as their next two fixtures are both against tougher opponents. There is a lot on offer with this in mind, and a score draw at 36/10 is utterly mouth watering.
Written by Joshua Gaillard