HOW WILL WALES FARE IN THE EURO 2016 GROUP STAGE?

image.jpeg

Chris Coleman will be quietly confident about Wales’ chances of progressing in France, come the summer and he has every right to do so.

It is easy to become distracted by the scripted clash with England, but Wales were relatively lucky to avoid the likes of Germany, Italy and Poland. Instead, Coleman’s men will face a revitalised Russian team and a Slovakian side who beat Spain on their way to France. It is no easy task, but Wales are capable of reaching the knock-out stages. So, how will they fare?

Match-day one- Slovakia

Wales’ opening fixture is against Slovakia in Bordeaux, on 11th June. Jan Kozak led his team to second place in a group containing current champions Spain, Ukraine, Belarus, Macedonia and Luxemburg.

Slovakia relied heavily on Napoli’s Marek Hamisk; the forward netted 5 times, including a brace in their final match against Luxemburg, clinching qualification.

Despite the threat of Hamsik, this game is certainly the most winnable for Wales. Boasting a superior squad, with premier league talent, Bale and co. should be aiming for nothing less than a win.

Prediction: 2-0 Wales.


Match-day two- England

The big one. Lens will host one of the biggest fixtures of Euro 2016: Wales vs England. Probably one of the most highly-anticipated encounters between the two countries, the outcome of the match may determine the fate of either team’s progression.

Slightly generous in his praise, Coleman argued that “England are one of the best teams” in the competition. He later said that “we looked at it and would have wanted to avoid it, but we look forward to it".

Hodgson’s England have far from impressed in recent performances, but still managed to qualify with a 100% record, albeit in an easy group. Of course, England pose a threat – how can a team with so much Premier League experience not? Yet, it is well within Wales’ capabilities to contain such danger, as explained in THIS ARTICLE.

Unfortunately, this game will not be an enthralling one; both Hodgson and Coleman are tactically savvy and will look to nullify their opponent’s talents. In all likelihood, this game will end in a draw.

prediction: 1-1.


Match-day three- Russia

Wales’ final match in group B sees them take on Leonid Slutsky’s Russia, in Toulouse. Struggling under Fabio Capello, the current CSKA Moscow boss was brought in to change the national team’s fortunes. The decision proved to be fruitful as Russia finished the group in second place, with 20 points.

Russia’s squad are comprised of players who mostly play their trade in their own country, making them a slightly unknown quantity heading into EURO 2016. Indeed, Coleman will have to do his homework ahead of this tie.

Wales will need to be wary of Artem Dyzuba, who fired Russia to qualification with 8 goals in 9 appearances: the Zenit forward will prove a menace for the likes of Williams and Chester.

However, Wales will be confident heading into this tie – their organised and disciplined proclivities should be enough to see them avoid defeat, with the most likely outcome being another draw.

prediction: 1-1.

With the predictions above Wales will finish the group on 5 points. It is highly likely that this will be enough to see Wales finish at least third if not second. Wales possess the quality necessary to escape the group, and failure to do so would be disappointing.

What would your predictions be?

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

I think we are good enough to nick 2nd place hopefully.

I think we are good enough to nick 2nd place hopefully.

I think if we will win first game and then draw the other two. England will get beat against Russia so that's them out!

Great to finally get there but I think England and Russia will take the top two places.

I think we are good enough to nick 2nd place hopefully.

I think if we will win first game and then draw the other two. England will get beat against Russia so that's them out!

I can see us going undefeated in the group more draws then wins but scrape into 2nd place with England.

No fitness worries or injuries going into the Tournament.

I can see 2 wins and a draw and last 16 visit to Parisssssssssssssss

Some brave predictions there.

Saying that I expect us to take full points of Slovakia and get something from the England gain.

I fear will will run out of steam against Russia.

If bale is playin we can win all.

If bale is injured we will lose all 3. We are basically shit without bale.

Im not so confident I have to say... The end of our campaign we were made to look very ordinary in my opinion. The Israel away game seems a distant memory.

I think we'll be lucky to get a point. Thats not being negative just the way I see it. England for me is the worst pot A team we coudl have had because all the focus is on that game rather than getting out the group. And for me, balls to the rankings they are way and above stronger than us.

Some brave predictions there.

Saying that I expect us to take full points of Slovakia and get something from the England gain.

I fear will will run out of steam against Russia.

Why would we run out of steam?

Im not so confident I have to say... The end of our campaign we were made to look very ordinary in my opinion. The Israel away game seems a distant memory.

I think we'll be lucky to get a point. Thats not being negative just the way I see it. England for me is the worst pot A team we coudl have had because all the focus is on that game rather than getting out the group. And for me, balls to the rankings they are way and above stronger than us.

I wouldn't say we're ordinary, we qualified!

Even with the tournament being expanded, every team will be competitive and every group will be competitive. Not sure why you think we'll only get a point, though. Our group isn't the toughest we could've had.

You do realised that we're not above England in the rankings anymore? I'm also not sure how you can say that they're 'way and above stronger than us'. IMO we're just as strong as they are. I suppose we'll find out in Lens.

If bale is playin we can win all.

If bale is injured we will lose all 3. We are basically shit without bale.

Now there's the sign of someone who never watches Wales.