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 Ireland
Dan Whiteway- Italy 1-1 Ireland Down and out and pretty much kicked by all comers in the media, the Republic have largely had a tournament to forget. However, they’re playing under no pressure in this game and the Italians have masses of that affliction on their backs. The last time these two sides met, the Irish won 2-0 and whilst I doubt this will happen again, I think a carefree Ireland could claw back some pride with a hardfought draw against a painfully limited Italian side, knocking them out in the process.
George Powell- Italy 2-1 Republic of Ireland This could be a very interesting game, the pressure is all on Italy to get a result that, should, send them through. However against an Irish side with many of their players playing their last game at a major tournament plus an Italian manager in Trapattoni, it could be anything but easy for the Azzurri. Having said all of that, Italy did play well in the first half against the Croats last week and if Balotelli plays like he did then, the Italians should have just enough to get the win, but they may fall just short of qualification.
Brad Smith – Ireland 0 Italy 3. Italy should comfortably do what they have to here, to the dismay of the Irish, who have been punished for letting the Croatia game slip away from them. They know that they cannot rely on Spain, so will have to score more than once here. Italy (-1) is the best bet here. Expect
Di Natale to start and show us what he can do.
Ben McAleer – Italy 3-1 Ireland The Azzuri need to go all guns blazing against the Irish tonight and you can expect head coach Cesare Prandelli to field an attacking line-up this evening. Il Trap has named his starting XI, with Damian Duff to captain the side on his 100th appearance for Ireland. He would love to net against the Italians, but it won’t be enough. Mario Balotelli was wrecking havoc in the Croatian back four during the 1-1 draw last week and if he is the mood, he will find the net tonight.
Paul Hill- Italy 2-1 Ireland. Although they are only really playing for pride, this Irish team will also be playing for their starting positions in WC qualifying with the likes of James McCarthy and James McClean now challenging for places. However, Italy have enough class to defeat the Celts, which they hope will be enough to take them through to the knockout stages. If Di Natale starts, he is 90% certain to score.
Scott Balaam – Ireland 0 Italy 2 – Italy to pile more misery on the Irish, experienced striker Di Natale to start and score …
Spain v Croatia
Dan Whiteway- Spain 3-1 Croatia Spain are starting to look pretty ominous, albeit against an insipid Ireland side. Their defence looks like its bearing up despite the loss of Carles Puyol, the midfield is, well, no words needed there and Fernando Torres has got the couple of goals he always needs to get some confidence back. The Croats have earned their place at the top of the group going into the game and are no pushovers but the Spanish will have too much for them.
George Powell- Spain 1-1 Croatia The scoreline that nobody in Rome wants to see is 2-2 and the Azzurri out, it wouldn’t surprise me if we got close to that. Both of these teams are likely to score, Modric and co will start quickly and the Croats may well take the lead, probably through Manduzic, however the Spanish will come back into it and equalise via one of their many exciting, technical geniuses. If both of my predictions are correct, then it is these two that will progress.
Brad Smith – Spain 2 Croatia 0 – Conspiracy theorists have this as a 2-2 draw. No chance. Spain would be fools if they did. Germany are looking like the only team that want to win it so far, so back the sizzling Spanish to show up here and fire themselves through as group leaders.
Ben McAleer – Spain 2-2 Croatia As far as conspiracy theories go, Italy haven’t been the luckiest of footballing nations. At Euro 2004, a similar scenario ensued between Sweden and Denmark with both needing a 2-2 draw to qualify for the knockout stages, you guessed it, the exact scoreline occured. Both teams have goals in them which could see a 2-2 draw a viable result. Mario Manduzkic will look to find himself on the scoresheet for the fourth time this tournament tonight, with David Silva finding his shooting boots again for the Spanish.
Paul Hill- Spain 2-2 Croatia. It couldn’t happen…could it? With the way the season is going now don’t be surprised if this scoreline occurs and Italy go out. Both sides won’t play for a draw but with the attacking threat they both possess, goals are very likely in this one. As is a draw.
Scott Balaam – Spain 2-0 Croatia – A 2-2 draw, would send Italy out like in 2004 when Denmark and Sweden played out a 2-2 draw which saw the Italians go home in the group stage, but this time I expect the Spanish to go out looking for a draw and a certain Fernando Torres to continue his new found goal scoring form.
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