England round off the second round of group matches on Friday when they take on Group D rivals Sweden in Kiev, kick off at 745pm, hoping to build on their opening point from the 1-1 draw with France.
Roy Hodgson’s side made a positive start to the tournament and could have been two up when Joleon Lescott headed home Steven Gerrard’s free kick but France hit back through Samir Nasri to earn a share of the spoils.
The Three Lions will certainly be happy with that, as the captain alluded to before the game, while France were a little disparaging of the tactics employed – although as has been demonstrated this season, it was tactics that could win silverware.
Once England had scored there was a tendency to drop men behind the ball and, although Les Bleus equalised in the first half, the pattern continued in the second period with Laurent Blanc’s men bossing proceedings but lacking the penetration.
It was certainly a performance that proved effective if the aim was to frustrate France, but England didn’t enjoy many shots at goal – one on target tells its own story – and they won few friends, amongst the neutrals that is.
Hodgson though is not in the business of making friends and will hope that his players can build on a solid performance against the group favourites when they take on Sweden, who are desperately in need of a good result following their opening loss.
England have been installed as the 11/10 favourites in the match betting to get their first win of Euro 2012, while the draw is priced at 23/10 and Sweden are on offer at 11/4 to cause a surprise.
Expectations ahead of the tournament were particularly low amongst England supporters and whether the opening performance will have changed them is open to question, but the Blagult will not go into the match without hope.
Hodgson’s players will know that Sweden carry less individual threat than the French but will be well-drilled and in Zlatan Ibrahimovic (7/1 First Goalscorer), they have a striker who is at the top of his game and capable of derailing the England bandwagon.
The AC Milan striker finished as the top scorer in Serie A last season with 28 goals and has already opened his Euro 2012 account against Ukraine.
All things good for Sweden in that nervy first game went through the 30-year-old, who still divides opinion on the terraces, and he is certainly the one to watch out for.
The problem for coach Erik Hamren is that he is arguably the only one to watch out for and if the strong England defence can shackle the enigmatic playmaker then that is almost the job done.
England though have their own issues and although Hodgson has only been in charge for three matches, a pattern has already emerged.
Defence is not the best form of attack and England have been doing plenty of that – defending, while struggling to look penetrative.
Against France that could be forgiven, but in two friendlies against Norway and Belgium, the Three Lions looked distinctly ordinary and those two countries were not good enough to qualify for this tournament.
Gerrard and Scott Parker are both expected to feature despite concerns over their fitness but it is the forward options that are the worry for Hodgson as he tries to find the combination to lead England to victory.
History is not on his side though as Sweden have not lost a competitive game against England in seven previous meetings, while their 1-0 defeat, courtesy of a Daniel Majstorovic own goal, in a friendly at Wembley in November was their first against the Three Lions since 1968 and ended a 12-match unbeaten streak.
Given the performances, Sweden look decent value to take the points but these games are always tight and the stronger defence will see England at least remain unbeaten in a low-scoring encounter, with 1-1 on offer at 11/2.
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