Co-host Poland will take on Group A leaders Russia in an important Euro 2012 showdown at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland on June 12th. Poland earned a point in their opener with a 1-1 draw with Greece, while Russia steamrolled over the Czech Republic 4-1.

We think Russia will claim a 2nd win here and found the best odds (and great live/mobile betting) at Bet365.com

Poland took the lead in their game through striker Robert Lewandowski with a perfect header in the 17th minute from an excellent right-wing feed. They were then handed a chance to impose their will on Greece after their opponents were reduced to 10 men just before half time when Sokratis Papastathopoulos was sent marching off the pitch after receiving a second yellow card.

Poland couldn’t take advantage of it though and Greece levelled the score in the 51st minute on a goal by substitute Dimitrios Salpingidis. However, things fell apart further for the home team after that. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny pulled down Salpingidis in the 18-yard box and was handed a red card while Greece was awarded a penalty in the 71st minute.

Goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton was summoned from the bench to face the penalty and make an excellent save on captain Giorgos Karagounis to keep the game at 1-1. Poland started the game well and forced the play with some fine passing play. They took the foot of the pedal in the second half though and had a problem when 10-man Greece started to attack.

Russia looked outstanding in their 4-1 win over the Czechs with two goals by Alan Dzagoev and singles by Roman Shirokov and substitute striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. A win for the Russians was predicted by Gamblingnerd.com but we though it would be a closer game. Dzagoev was the man of the match and at 21 years of age looks to have a bright future ahead of him. Russia dominated most of the game and skipper Andrei Arshavin looked to be his old self as he played an excellent game.

Striker Alexander Kerzhakov didn’t though. He was set up numerous times by his teammates, but wasted every single chance he had by failing to hit the net. He misfired on seven shots in total and it was no surprise when he was replaced by Roman Pavlyuchenko in the 74th minute. The substitute promptly set up a goal and then scored.

Predictions and Odds

Russia could have actually scored a few more goals in this game and certainly look like a force to be reckoned with. If the first group games are anything to go by then Poland will have their hands full with Russia. The co-hosts will also have to rely on their number two goalie for the game. Poland won’t be able to make defensive mistakes against the Russians or will be made to pay dearly for them. They need to play well defensively and create some openings in the attacking end of the field.

But even though Poland is the home nation, look for Russia to carry on and rack up another three points against them.

Sportsbook Bet365 latest odds have a Poland victory at 23/10 with a Russian win at 5/4 and a draw at 11/5.

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written by Stefan \\ tags: Euro 2012, Poland, Poland vs Russia, Russia