All articles by: Ieuan Ivett

Denmark U21’s vs Italy U21’s – Match Preview

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UEFA U21 European Championships, Marszałek Piłsudski Stadium, Kraków 7.45pm

Denmark U21’s vs Italy U21’s – Match Preview – Denmark and Italy will begin their Under 21 European Championships at the Marszalek Pilsudski Stadium on Sunday 18th June. Italy are the most successful nation in the history of the tournament; lifting the trophy a record five times. The match promises some great football on display and what could be a tighter match than many initially thought.

Italian manager, Luigi Di Biagio, will be hoping his side can live up to their hype and begin their campaign with a victory. Italy topped their qualification group, conceding only three times in ten matches; containing some dominant wins for Europe’s most successful youth side. However, they haven’t played a competitive match for over 3 months which could see a rusty performance from the Italians. Having most recently lost to Spain back in March, can the Italian’s kick off with a win in Poland?

Skybet Match Result – Italy to Win – 8/13

Denmark were the surprise performers in the qualification stages. Niels Frederiksen’s side booked their place in the tournament without losing a match in Group 5 of the qualifiers; with 28 points out of a possible 30. The Dane’s will look to continue this impressive form going into the tournament. Like Italy, Denmark pride themselves on their defensive efforts and actually shared the best defensive record in qualifying with their opponents on Sunday. With both sides proving hard to break down, can Denmark get the edge and continue their form?

Skybet Match Result – Denmark to Win – 19/4

Domenico Berardi Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

The Italians have no fresh injuries or suspensions to deal with to alter team selection.

Striker, Domenico Berardi, will be key for his nation if Italy are to kick off with win on Sunday. Berardi plays his club football for Sassuolo in the Italian Serie A. Can he deliver for the Italians?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Domenico Berardi to score Anytime in 90 mins – 13/8

Much like their opponents, Denmark have no injury or suspensions worries ahead of Sunday’s match.

Danish striker, Kenneth Zohore, proves to be one of Denmark’s biggest threats. Zohore had a good season in the EFL Championship for Welsh side, Cardiff. The young Dane scored 12 goals in 24 matches for the ‘Bluebirds’ and manager, Niels Frederiksen, will look to Zohore as his biggest threat.

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Kenneth Zohore to score Anytime in 90 mins – 5/2

Spain U21’s vs Macedonia U21’s – Match Preview

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UEFA U21 European Championships, Group B, Gdynia Stadium, Poland 7.45pm

Spain U21’s vs Macedonia U21’s – Match Preview – Spain and Macedonia will kick off their Under 21’s European Championships on 17th June with their opening match in Group B. Spain haven’t held back in their team selection, flying plenty of Premier League and La Liga stars over to Poland for the tournament. Macedonia are not to be taken lightly however, having impressed in the qualifying stages and Spain will understand that they can’t walk over their opponents.

Spain’s star-studded squad will be the team to beat in this summer tournament, with the likes of Arsenal right-back, Hector Bellerin, and Real Madrid prodigy, Marco Asensio, amongst the action; just to name a few. A nation often to set the trends, Spain haven’t approached the tournament like countries such as England, and have brought players that many would assume are senior squad standard. On paper, Spain should start their campaign winning three points without a flinch.

Skybet Match Result – Spain to Win – 2/9

Marjen Radeski could cause the Spanish defence problems Photo Credit: UEFA.com

As aforementioned, Macedonia impressed during qualifying. They topped their group that consisted of France, Iceland, Ukraine, Scotland and Northern Ireland; losing just once the whole campaign. Macedonia have lost just once in sixteen matches and most recently beat Bulgaria and Montenegro in friendlies to give them a psychological boost heading into the tournament. Striker, Marjan Radeski, will be Macedonia’s biggest threat in attack. Radeski plays his club football for FK Metalurg Skopje in the Macedonian third division but do not be fooled as the striker will cause problems. Can he help Macedonia cause a massive upset?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Marjan Radeski to score Anytime in 90 mins – 7/2

Real Madrid attacker Ascensio could be the star player of the tournament Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

Spain have no injuries or suspensions to alter their team selection.

They will look to their dazzling array of star players to go all the way in the tournament. These players consist of Hector Bellerin, Jorge Mere, Marco Asensio, Denis Suarez, JL Gaya, Sandro, Saul Niguez, Gerard Deulofeu, Inaki Williams and Borja Mayoral. It would take a brave man to bet against Spain U21 lifting the European Championship trophy.

Skybet Tournament Winner – Spain – 3/1

Macedonia U21s are without attacking player, Viktor Angelov, due to injury.

Being outclassed in personnel all over the field, Macedonia will hope to continue their magnificent form into the tournament and provide a big shock with an opening match win. Can they pull it off?

Skybet Match Result – Macedonia to Win – 14/1

 

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Russia vs New Zealand – Match Preview

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Confederations Cup, Group A
Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg 4pm

Russia vs New Zealand – Match Preview – Russia and New Zealand will kick off their 2017 Confederations Cup campaigns on Saturday 17th June at 16:00 GMT. The hosts, Russia, will feel confident heading into the match with some decent form in their recent friendlies. The Russians easily beat Hungary 3-0 and then drew 1-1 with tough opponents, Chile.

The tournament will be Russia’s last competitive international matches before the 2018 World Cup; of which they are hosting. Stanislav Cherchesov’s men will look to make a big impression in this opening match, in front of a home crowd at the Stadion Krestovskyi. With the nightmare of last summer’s European Championships in their heads too, the Russians are playing for personal pride as well as patriotic pride. Russia are favourites for the match, will they make it a routine victory?

Skybet Match Result – Russia to Win – 30/100

New Zealand qualified for the Confederations Cup by becoming the Oceania Champions- a fairly weak continent of competitors. New Zealand boss, Anthony Hudson, shouldn’t be feeling too much pressure however as his team are viewed as rather large underdogs; with recent form to not suggest otherwise. In their two recent friendlies, ‘The Kiwis’ have lost at the hands to Northern Ireland and more embarrassingly, Belarus, in 1-0 defeats that haven’t left much hope for them in this tournament. It would be a monumental turn around to overcome the Russian riot heading their way.

Skybet Match Result – New Zealand to Win – 10/1

Fyodor Smolov will be a danger to the New Zealand defence Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

Russia are without left-back, Fedor Kudryashov, due to a yellow card suspension.

Other than him, Russia are at full strength for their opening match. Russia will look to key attacker, Fyodor Smolov, to be a presence in the New Zealand box. The striker scored in their recent friendly against Hungary and if selected, will be looking to get another international goal

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Fyodor Smolov to score Anytime in 90 mins – 10/11

Forward Chris Wood will be hoping to make the same impact for country as he did for club Photo Credit: radionz.co.nz

New Zealand have no injuries or suspensions to alter team selection.

EFL Championship striker, Chris Wood, has had an impressive season with Leeds United and his country will now look to him to do the same in his nations colours. Wood ended the season as the league’s top goal scorer with 27 goals and four assists; a statistic that make him New Zealand’s danger man, can he provide a goal for his country?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Chris Wood to score Anytime in 90 mins – 3/1

 

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