Poland will hope to start Euro 2016 with a bang when they take on Northern Ireland at the Stade de Nice in the opening game of Group C.
Despite many of his players finishing the domestic season on a high, Adam Nawałka’s team has only played one game in its buildup to the tournament, which ended in defeat to the Netherlands. The White Eagles will be banking on their stars to carry on their domestic form into the Euros, where they must first try to overcome Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland outfit.
The Green and White Army will be keen to impress, as they make their first ever appearance in an European finals competition. They impressed in qualifying and finished top of their group, losing on just one occasion.
Key Battle –Robert Lewandowski vs Jonny Evans
Robert Lewandowski will lead his national side in France on the back of a mesmerising season with Bayern Munich. The 27-year-old has been rightfully tipped by many to be among the contenders for the competition’s golden boot award but will have to play at the very top of his game if he is to win it. On his day, the Pole can wreak havoc among even the best of defences, making him one of the world’s most feared strikers. His 13 goals in the qualifying stage is a joint-record for the most goals in qualifying, which he holds along with a former Northern Irish star David Healy. The Bayern hitman will be shouldering a lot of pressure to perform but if his form in the past couple of years is anything to go by, we are in for a goalscoring treat.
Former Manchester United starlet Jonny Evans will be responsible for keeping the Poles at bay in the heart of the Northern Irish defence. He is likely to be partnered with West Brom team mate Gareth McAuley in central-defence and will face their first test as they try and prevent Lewandowski from getting in behind them. They have not conceded a single goal in their last three games, as O’Neill looks to be working on defensive solidarity. Kyle Lafferty and Will Grigg will be providing the firepower up front but it will be Evans and co. that will have to do majority of the work if they are to see off Poland.
Team News
Arkadiusz Milik’s domestic form last campaign will all but ensure the Ajax striker a place in Poland’s starting XI, while Michał Pazdan and Piotr Zielinski will also be pushing for starting births.
It has been predicted that O’Neill will prefer a 3-5-2 formation for the Euros as he looks to keep it tight at the back. In attack, it looks likely that he will start with Lafferty, while either Jamie Ward or Grigg will partner him.
Head-to-Head
Northern Ireland hold an advantage over Poland in the nine times that the sides have met, with the Norn Iron winning four and drawing twice, although Poland have beaten them on three of the last five meetings.
Previous Meeting
The sides last met during qualification for the 2010 World Cup, where the sides drew 1-1 in Poland.
Prediction
Poland are favourites to progress from Group C along with Germany, while Northern Ireland are considered the underdogs of the group. Stats and logic would aim towards a Poland win but do not be quick to write off O’Neill’s side just yet.
Poland 3 Northern Ireland 1
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