England’s Euro 2016 campaign will begin with an all-important matchup against their biggest Group B rivals, Russia. The Three Lions looked very promising in qualifying and in their build-up to the tournament, but can they carry over that fine form against the weakened but still-dangerous Russians?
Get a complete breakdown of this massive Group B matchup below. Also, don’t forget to check out our preview of the group’s other game on Saturday, Wales vs. Slovakia.
Cash In on the Best Online Sportsbook Offers Now at TopBet!
England vs. Russia Preview
Where: Stade Velodrome, Marseille
When: Saturday, June 11, 3:00 PM ET
Line: England -127 vs. Russia +295, tie +235; total: 2.0 – view all Euro 2016 lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN2
Betting on England (-127)
No country had a more impressive qualifying campaign than England. The Three Lions were the only team to maintain a perfect 100 percent record – 10 wins out of 10 – with 31 goals scored and just three conceded.
However, Hodgson’s system, with Kane and Vardy up front with Rooney in support, didn’t function quite so smoothly against Portugal. Kane and Vardy were being pushed out wide, reducing their effectiveness.
After that performance, Hodgson is reportedly contemplating dropping Vardy in favor of Raheem Sterling, a more natural wide player who’s also capable of playing in different positions in attack. Sterling has the speed to exploit Russia’s slow and aging central defenders. Vardy – the 24-goal hero for English champions Leicester City – could also be a terrific weapon off the bench due to his incredible speed.
The England midfield, with Jack Wilshere or Jordan Henderson set to start despite both midfielders missing time due to injury, is a question mark. But that unit should still have enough talent to hold its own against a Russian midfield which will hardly be at its best.
Betting on Russia (+295)
Russia’s build-up to the Euros has been less than ideal, to say the least. They failed to win any of their two tune-up matches against the Czech Republic and Serbia. But more importantly, they’ve suffered some key injuries to Alan Dzagoev and Igor Denisov, robbing manager Leonid Slutsky of some crucial options in midfield.
Without Denisov, Russia’s top defensive midfielder, the team’s ability to protect its defense from midfield is now a lot shakier.
However, Russia’s starting XI should still feature a pretty formidable attack sans Dzagoev. Oleg Shatov, Aleksandr Golovin and Aleksandr Kokorin are all young and exciting attacking midfielders, while Artyom Dzyuba (the team’s leading scorer in qualifying with eight goals) and Fyodor Smolov (20 league goals this season) will provide a legitimate goal threat up front.
England’s defense is hardly airtight, and its full-backs in particular will be inexperienced in major international competition. Russia will have the pace and skill with Shatov and Kokorin along the wings to give that defense one or two problems.
Russia’s own defense, while a tad old – center-backs Sergei Ignashevich and Vasili Berezutski are 36 and 33 years old, respectively – is very experienced, and helped the team concede just five goals in qualifying.
Writer’s Prediction
England (-127) edges out Russia with a 2-1 win.
Create a betting account now and start earning big on all the Euro 2016 soccer action this summer.
