The knock out stages get underway with a clash between two teams that only managed two goals a piece in their 270 minutes of group stage action. It will be interesting to see if we get the necessary goals in the ‘lose and you go home’ stage of the competition to boost the rather disappointing current average of 1.9 per game.
During the last World Cup in Brazil the group action was far more open than we have experienced so far in France but then, with a couple of exceptions, the knock out phase produced plenty of defensively orientated tactical battles.
Such is the lop-sided nature of the draw, both these teams will feel they have a shot at staying in France past next weekend and that may lead to a tight encounter and extra time being required. The Poles are one of two sides (the other being Germany), who are yet to concede a goal and while they did well in keeping Germany at bay in their last game but one, you could argue their defense has yet to be thoroughly tested.
There has to be a temptation to go with the under 2.5 goal line but the odds makers, having seen the first 36 games are taking no chances whatsoever and the odds offered are skinny across practically every Round of 16 match up. With value in mind, I’m with the draw in Saint-Etienne.
#BestBets – Switzerland vs Poland = DRAW 90 MINUTES
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