Poland v Russia: Russians to leave host nation with uphill task

Host nation Poland realistically need to win at least one of their two remaining group games to have a chance of qualifying, but they could struggle to justify 12/5 odds to beat Russia on Tuesday.

Poland drew 1-1 with Greece in their opening tournament outing, in a match where both sides finished with ten men, and the stalemate is an 11/5 chance in this clash.

Russia were mightily impressive in their 4-1 demolition of Czech Republic though, and with a vast array of attacking talent in their ranks, they look good to claim another three points at 5/4.

Goals would look to be a prominent feature of this game, bearing in mind the least that has been scored in the past three meetings of these sides has been two.

Four goals have emanated in each of the past two encounters meanwhile, and Russia seem a good prospect at 10/3 to win a game involving three or more goals on Tuesday.

Dick Advocaat’s side have also averaged more than two goals per game in their past five outings, and so some punters could take an interest in the 6/4 odds about them notching two or three times in this match.

That said, Poland have found the net in four of their past five games, and spurred on by the home crowd, look good to do so again, meaning the 5/2 odds about a Russian win to nil should be approached with caution.

The hosts also possess one of the continent’s hottest strike properties at the minute in Robert Lewandowski, and after getting the opener in his side’s first match, he is 6/1 to break the deadlock on Tuesday.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov leads the betting for Russia meanwhile, also 6/1 to open the scoring in the game.

Alan Dzagoev will be eager to add to his brace against Czech Republic though, and is a 7/1 shot to score first again, whilst Tottenham’s Roman Pavlyuchenko is the same price after scoring off the bench on Friday night.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.