Sports Blog 21/06/2016: UEFA Euro 2016 Preview –Northern Ireland vs Germany + Ukraine vs Poland, Tuesday 21st June 2016

With both England and Wales in the last 16, can Northern Ireland escape Group C to make the knockouts of a major tournament for the first time in their history?

Having been overwhelmed by Poland in their opener (despite a flattering 1-0 score line) Northern Ireland roared in their second game, goals from Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn giving the country its first ever Euros win AND making Ukraine the first nation to be sent home in 2016. Remarkably that means that if Northern Ireland do the unthinkable and beat Germany, and Poland fail to win against Ukraine, they will end up topping Group C! A point, however, would leave they stuck in 3rd regardless of the result in the other game, though it could be crucial in turning that group bronze medal into a place in the last 16.



Frustratingly for Michael O’Neill’s men there is a rather big obstacle standing in their way, one that takes the shape of current world champions Germany. A confident, if uninspiring, 2-0 victory over Ukraine from Germany, complete with the competition’s now trademark injury-time strike, was followed a somewhat cynical goalless draw against qualification-rivals Poland. Things may be different against Northern Ireland, however. While a draw would be enough to reach the last 16, even a win might not be enough to take the top spot if Poland beat Ukraine by a greater margin than Germany sink the Irish. Pressure, then, will be on Thomas Muller (at a Super Mega PGM of 40-47) and Mario Gotze (at 26-31) to find the goal scoring form that has deserted them in France.

Sadly for Northern Ireland our traders fully expect Joachim Low’s side to turn up the heat on Tuesday night, offering a Germany/Northern Ireland Goal Supremacy spread of 1.45-1.65 with a Total Goals spread of 2.4-2.6.



While they might not quite have earned their dark horse status just yet, Poland still have an important role to play in the shape of the tournament going forwards when they take on the already eliminated Ukraine. With only 1 goal in 2 games, and none from captain Robert Lewandowski (who heads into Tuesday at a Super Mega PGM of 37-43) Poland haven’t exactly been at their best. Yet a heavy win (something that may be required if they are to top the group) against Ukraine could well change all that and give Poland a bit of momentum heading into the last 16.

From Ukraine’s point of view the country will just be trying to save face, Mykhaylo Fomenko’s side the only team, alongside Turkey, without a point to their name. Sadly it looks like that will remain the case, Spreadex offering a Poland/Ukraine Goal Supremacy spread of 0.5-0.7 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.1-2.3.

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