England – Russia

England will kick off its Euro 2016 campaign against Russia in the last match to be played Saturday, in a group that also features Slovakia and Wales.

England is looking pretty good right now. The change of the guard worked very well for the Brits, as they now have a much younger and more explosive squad than in the previous final tournaments, where they always under performed. An important edge that England will have in this tournament is the offensive due of Vardy and Kane, two excellent players who are in the form of their lives, scoring pretty much every game. England won 10 of the last 12 games, including the 3 played in preparation for Euro 2016 – against Australia, Turkey and Portugal.

Russia played very well since Fabio Capello was sacked and Leonid Slutsky took over, winning 4 games in a row in the qualifiers to reach Euro 2016 after looking in real danger to miss out. However, the Russians have not been themselves since then. 10 goals allowed and 3 defeats in the last 10 matches are a warrying sign for the Eastern Europeans, as they were disappointing in the pre – Euro 2016 friendlies. They need to get their act together if they are to have any chance of succeeding in such a difficult group B.

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Team news & lineups:

Bertrand and Smalling are questionable for England, while Russia won`t be able to count on Igor Denisov, which will be a big blow in the crucial center midfield area. Additionally, Russia also misses other important players like Dzagoev, Cheryshev, Dzagoev, Kuzmin or Zhirkov, who are out for various reasons. Berezutski and Torbinski (both dobtful) round up the injury crisis.

England: Hart – Walker, Smalling, Cahill, Rose – Dier, Alli, Milner – Rooney – Kane, Vardy

Russia: Akinfeev – Smolnikov, Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov – Neustädter – Shatov, Golovin – Kokorin, Dzyuba, Smolov

Russia doesn`t look very impressive right now and their squad doesn`t say much either – it`s a balanced roster but without any class individuals and with a few important players being out of form. It`s mostly the same Russia that was very disappointing at the 2014 World Cup, they are pretty much playing the same way and most importantly they are missing a lot of players. I think England will capitalize on Russia’s injury crisis.

I really like this fast paced England team and I reckon Vardy and Kane will give them a couple of goals tonight, especially with Russia defending so poorly in their last few matches. I believe England’s pace up front will spell trouble for the Russians.

All in all, my tip is England to win this one, probably by one or two goals. Russia’s injury problems could prove decisive and the bet warrants an 8 unit stake as far as I`m concerned. Prediction: England – Russia 2-0.

Pick: England
Odds: 1.97 @ Ohmbet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.76
Event date: 11 June