Poland v Slovakia betting tips: Lewandowski the main man
Published:
Poland were quarter-finalists at Euro 2016 but flopped at the World Cup when they were favourites to get out of a group comprising Colombia, Japan and Senegal.
The Poles start their campaign as 4/5 favourites to beat Slovakia who took the play-off route to reach the finals, beating Republic of Ireland on penalties and Northern Ireland in extra time.
St Petersburg is the venue for this Group E game, so let’s check out some of the markets and odds for our Poland v Slovakia betting tips.
Match Odds
Slovakia have won three of their four competitive matches against Poland since the mid-90s and they have lost just one of their last six competitive games.
Uninspiring World Cup qualifying draws against Malta and Cyprus were followed by a 2-1 victory against Russia, so Slovakia’s form isn’t too bad and they can be backed at 21/5 to win or 23/10 to draw their opening game.
Poland have made a disappointing start to World Cup qualification, coming back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw 3-3 in Hungary and a 3-0 win against Andorra was no consolation for a 2-1 defeat against England at Wembley.
Their last four competitive games have produced three goals or more which is available at 11/8.
That said, they kept seven clean sheets in their 10 Euro 2020 qualifiers and are 6/4 to win to nil or 19/20 not to concede.
Talking Tactics
Robert Lewandowski shoulders the burden of netting the goals for a Poland team that only scored 18 times in qualifying, six of which came from the Bayern Munich striker.
Lewandowski was injured for their final meaningful match against England in which coach Paulo Sousa deployed a 3-5-2 formation, although he went for a slightly different 3-4-1-2 system for the draw in Hungary.
Slovakia went with a 4-2-3-1 for the win against Russia when Ivan Schranz led the line but tend to play a 4-5-1 when Marek Hamsik is in the starting line-up.
Goalscorer Odds
Lewandowski is the overwhelming 2/1 favourite to get the first goal and 21/20 to get on the scoresheet having struck 66 times in 118 appearances for his country and yet he is 25/1 to win the Golden Boot.
Slovakia skipper Hamsik, now with Gothenburg, could be making his final appearance at a major tournament and he was one of a trio to score three goals in qualifying, alongside fellow midfielder Juraj Kucka and Feyenoord striker Robert Bozenik.
Match Info
Where: St Petersburg Stadium
When: 17:00, Monday 14th June
How to watch: ITV
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
