Apologies for being unable to do the matches over the weekend. I was very happy with my England analysis and they did manage to score again in the first half.
7.45pm – Croatia v Spain – 1.55 away – it’s all about the permutations in these matches now. Spain are on 4 points and have a superior goal difference to Italy on 2 points. This has to be chalked down as a must win for both sides. Both on 4 points. Italy on 2 points and playing an already eliminated Ireland.
Croatia have scored in both matches so far. 1-3 and 1-1 and the latter saw them meet one of the better teams and have trouble scoring.( took until the 72nd minute).
Spain posted very similar results 1-1 v Italy and beating Ireland by 3+ goals.
Tonight I would look to back 1-1 to start with. Croatia should be tough to break down. Apart from Ireland conceding in the 4th minute, Spain’s 4 other goals have come in the 2nd half.
Will this be another Spain match where we look to get involved at half time?
7.45pm – Italy v Rep of Ireland – 1.39 home. Ireland have conceded 7 goals so far and play an Italian side barely distinguishable from the dour defensive units of the past.
Of course, Italy are still solid defensively as is borne out by the 2 1-1 draws.
Ireland are way out of their depth, it’s like a league 1 team playing Man City!
A win to nil may be a possibility here and that’s an immediate angle in.
Teams, one would hope, tend to learn from mistakes (2 early goals) but I’m afraid I’ve lost faith in the Ireland defence which once kept 11 clean sheets in 14 matches. The question is how many goals you think Italy could score tonight – that may be the angle in along with a NIL scoreline for the Irish.
I have a feeling though Ireland might over-perform – it has happened before (pride) but they are an untrustworthy bunch.
P.S. laying odds on still seems to be paying off with 1-1 in the Germany/ Denmark match for a while. There is price movement in these odds ons. More of the same tonight , albeit from a trading angle only.