Euro 2012 - Group C Preview

 Euro 2012 - Group C Preview

Link to watch the Live Games

A quick look at the table before we begin:

Ireland are going home, but they will be hoping that they can salvage some pride after two bad results against Spain and Croatia, a good start to the game will be key, they cannot afford to concede another goal in the first 5 minutes.

Italy will be looking for a big win and someone to win the other game in Group C. A 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia will make things very difficult for Italy. Balotelli hasn't shown the better side of his game for Italy, and is likely to miss out because of it.

Spain and Croatia enter their game knowing a 2-2 draw will more than likely see them through. Both camps have denied any claims of collusion but their game will be treated with suspicion until the final whistle goes.

Spain vs Croatia

Over their first two games, Spain have had 70% of possession, in other words they have held on to the ball for more than 2 hours! England in comparison have only had the ball for a measly 1 hour 15 minutes. Still, we are better than Ireland, who have only had the ball for 1 hour 1 minute...

The midfield trifecta of Iniesta, Silva and Xavi will look to dominate the midfield. A lot has been made of Xavi's passing statistics which has resulted in Iniesta almost being forgotten by commentators. If Croatia buy into the hype and forget Iniesta it will be at their peril, as he leads Spain in attempts on goal, and Fabregas could bring a different element if he replaces part of the trio at any point, with 2 goals in 2 games.

Fernando Torres answered his critics in his start against Ireland with two goals and he could be set to thrive. "El Nino" lives in the channels with his teammates feeding him through balls and no team has been more effective at this than Spain. The Spanish have completed 17 through balls per game so far in this tournament, more than second and third combined, despite playing a game less than both.

A lot of Croatia's hope will fall on the shoulders of Mario Mandzukic. The big Croatian striker is joint top goalscorer at this years tournament with 3 goals. What may be surprising is that he has only had four shots at goal, leaving him with the best conversion rating amongst the top goalscorers.

Darijo Srna and Tottenham's Luka Modric will look to supply the ball to Mandzukic at every opportunity possible. Luka Modric has not lived up to his premier league reputation over the first couple of games, but if he wants to force a move to La Liga he will not get a better opportunity to to impress the Spanish sides than against their national team.

An interesting statistic regarding Spain, they have not conceded more than 1 goal in a competitive game since the World Cup in 2006. When France beat them 3-1.

Italy v Republic of Ireland

 Ireland have been very disappointing in this tournament. Their better players have failed to live up to their Premiership reputations and that has resulted in an early exit to the tournament. Damien Duff takes the Captain's armband on the occasion of reaching 100 caps, and Giovanni Trapattoni will be hoping he can celebrate in a similar fashion to Podolski last night.

Shay Given has been very poor at what is likely to be his last major tournament but it is hard to imagine him having three bad games in a row. Given will be required to make a number of saves tonight as Italy look to score as many goals as possible to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the final 8.

Di Natale starts up front for the Italians, and he must be wondering why he didn't start sooner considering Man City's Balotelli has been misfiring in the first two matches. The tireless striker may be 34, but the Italians have looked a better side when he has been on the field.

The experienced Andrea Pirlo will continue in his role as midfield playmaker looking to feed the ball through to Cassano and Di Natale upfront. The Italian is also the only player to have scored a freekick in this years competition.