Football Friends Euro 2012 Predictions (#WrightorWrong)
Before every Euro 2012 match Ian Wright will unleash his inner gambler and predict the score. On this page you’ll find Football Friends Online as well other popular football bloggers from across the web wading into debate to make their expert predictions too.
Absolute Radio- Bloggers Predictions.
But as the action gets under way, will they be Wright, or will they be wrong? Follow the #WrightorWrong hashtag on Twitter and lend your voice to the debate.
Italy v Croatia
Paul Hill- Italy 3-1 Croatia- Despite beng impressive on Sunday, Croatia could consider themslves lucky that the Irish were not their normal resilient selves. The Azzuri will be a different kettle of fish and if they can get Andrea Pirlo on the ball then he will surely be able to carve open the Croat defence with the form he is in.
Ben McAleer- Italy 1-2 Croatia. After their impressive performance against the Republic of Ireland, I can see the Croatians continuing their form in the encounter against Italy. The Azzuri have the player’s to cause damage and I think they will, but Croatia look more fluid going forward. Antonio Di Natale will come off the bench and score, but it won’t be enough as Nikica Jelavic adds to his Euro’s tally.
Dan Whiteway- Italy 1-0 Croatia An intriguing game is promised here as Croatia will not be allowed the chances gifted to them in their group opener and Italy will need to change their style of play to threaten more against a completely different team to Spain. A draw would not be the end of the world for the Italians with the Croats to play Spain in their final game but they should scrape a typical Italian win against a side flattered by Sunday’s result to leave themselves well placed in the group.
George Powell-
Scott Balaam- Croatia 1-1 Italy – I thought Ireland were going to beat Croatia in the open, I was clearly wrong but I realized just how good Croatia are. They have some issues at the back but going forward they look very impressive – I think Jelavic will get the opener and Super Mario aka Mr Balotelli will equalize late on
Oliver Wilson-
Brad Smith – Italy 2 Croatia 1 – Italy will sneak through here after the Irish made Croatia look better than they were. Di Natale and Pirlo will shine, and after their draw with Spain, Italy will think they can top the group. Croatia will play for the draw, and that will backfire as they will not be able to handle the pressure late on, which is where I think this game will be won.
Adam Gray-
Ireland v Spain
Paul Hill- Ireland 0-2 Spain- I really hope this isn’t going to be as boring as I expect but the chances are it will be. Expect 10 men behind the ball from the Celts and a match of intricate passing from the Spanish in the middle of the park, this will inevitably lead to a couple of goals after the Irish begin to tire. Hopefully Del Bosque will change his false 9 formation as that will only increase the traffic in the centre of the field.
Ben McAleer- Spain 3-0 Republic of Ireland. The luck of the Irish evaded the Republic of Ireland during their 3-1 loss to Croatia and I don’t think it will get any better for Il Trap’s side. Spain were the strong of the two teams against Italy and if they field a striker, they will run riot against the Irish. Fernando Torres is the favourite to start after his cameo appearance in the 1-1 draw with the Italians and it will be him to open the scoring this evening.
Dan Whiteway- Ireland 0-2 Spain Crunch time for the Irish after their disappointing defeat to Croatia in their opening game; a defeat would see them be the first team knocked out of Euro 2012. Sadly, that is exactly what I can see happening. They probably can’t be as defensively suspect as they were on Sunday when uncharacteristic individual mistakes let them down sorely, but Spain (false nine or no false nine) will have too much for them from that all-star midfield of there’s, overpowering the resistance of the Irish in the second half.
George Powell-
Scott Balaam- Ireland 0-3 Spain – poor Ireland, they’re not out but chances are they will be after tonight. Whilst Trap is tightening up his defence I think this will be an easy one for holders, and it won’t matter whether they bother choosing an natural striker or not. Torres may not start but I expect him to score at some stage.
Oliver Wilson-
Brad Smith- Spain 4 Ireland 1 – With Germany storming Group A, Spain will have to send out a message, and what better way to do it that spanking the Irish. Expect a similar formation, which will confuse the men in green with their wealth of attacking options. Iniesta will run the show, and Negredo will get a goal under his belt, as the reigning Champions look to eliminate Croatias goal difference
Adam Gray-
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