England have been one of the biggest disappointments at the EURO 2020 so far due to sluggish play and a lack of quality on the pitch. Can they finally get going against the Czech Republic on Tuesday?
Bookmaker 1xBit has the odds at 2.25 for only England to score in the match. The odds are at 10 for only the Czech Republic to score and at 2.3 for both teams to score.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 21st, 8:30 A.M. (EST)
With two games played, England have registered only three shots on target and none of them have come from Harry Kane who was supposed to be one of the stars of the tournament following a sensational season for Tottenham. The England captain has registered three shots and only six touches in the penalty area in 152 minutes of action.
Manager Gareth Southgate has been under big pressure to change things up and there have even been talks of Kane possibly dropping out of the starting lineup but there are no such plans for Tuesday.
“He’s our most important player, there’s no doubt about that,” Southgate said at his pre-game press conference. “You’ve only got to look at his goalscoring record with us to see his importance to the team. He is fundamental, not only with the goals he scores but the buildup play and everything else he brings.”
Kane has tallied 29 goals and 11 assists in 39 games since Southgate took charge in 2016. He was the Golden Boot winner three years ago at the World Cup and crushed it during the EURO qualifiers with 12 goals but something seems to be missing at the moment and it’s affecting the whole team.
The 27-year-old striker scored in both matches against the Czech Republic during the qualifiers although his goal in Prague turned out to be only a consolation goal. The Czechs shocked the Three Lions with a 2-1 victory ending England’s 10-year, 43-game unbeaten run in the qualifiers.
Jaroslav Silhavy’s men should draw plenty of confidence from the result and actually feel like the top spot in the group is theirs to lose. The Czechs hold the edge thanks to a superior goal difference, which has come through three Patrik Schick goals.
The Leverkusen striker is off to a hot start at the tournament and his recent scoring record in general looks very impressive with nine goals scored in his last 12 appearances for the national side.
Getting one past England would be very impressive as Southgate’s team has registered seven clean sheets in eight games. The team’s offense might be lacking sharpness right now but their defensive record is very good and it’s something England can lean on while searching for a proper rhythm in the final third.
