With Euro 2012 within grasp for the eight play-off sides we will be taking a closer look at the clash between Czech Republic and Montenegro. Both sides are just 180 minutes away from a place at the UEFA European Championships 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
Latest Betting Odds
First Leg – Czech Republic 3/4 – Draw 13/5 – Montenegro 9/2
To Qualify – Czech Republic 1/2 – Montenegro 6/4
Czech Republic
Czech Republic scraped through to the qualification play-offs after a titanic battle with Scotland, their controversial 2-2 draw with the Scots towards the back end of qualifying proved the key as Scotland failed to get anything from a final round visit to Spain. The Spanish took the group with a perfect record leaving Czech Republic as strong favourites for second place, but a shock home defeat to Lithuania put that in jeopardy from the very first game and any similar performance against Montenegro could prove terminal in their quest for a Euro 2012 place.
Czech Republic will have home advantage for the first leg but they have only won three of their last 11 internationals and that should be a real concern for the natives. However their home form is better and until they were beaten 2-0 by Spain the Czech Republic had gone four games without conceding a goal (winning three of those). If they can keep another clean sheet against Montenegro in the first leg they will be well on their way to Ukraine and Poland next summer.
Montenegro
Montenegro got off to a flying start in the group stages, picking up 10 points before the half way stage, including an impressive draw at Wembley against England. After that they only managed two futher points but a comeback from 2-0 down at home to England proved to be a vital point, and one that was enough to secure a play-off place ahead of the disappointing Switzerland. They only managed seven goals in qualifying and that will be a concern giving the Czech’s strong defence and ability to score goals at will.
Montenegro have won just one of their last 14 away Internationals, losing eight times in that run. They have also began leaking goals away from home, conceding seven in their last three but one shining light for the side is their home form. If they can escape the Czech Republic with anything less than a heavy defeat they you have to fancy Montenegro to win the home leg and give themselves a realistic chance of progression. Their vocal home fans could cheer the side to victory and no defeat in their last seven home matches gives them a real chance of making it to Euro 2012.
Verdict
This tie looks wide open with the first leg containing the key to the tie. Czech Republic will look to take a two goal cushion back to Montenegro, knowing that their home form is thanks in no small part to their passionate fans. Czech Republic’s large reputation in European football has made them such short priced favourites to qualify but a bet on Montenegro will give you a far better run for your money, especially if they can get a goal in the first leg. They have already showed what they are capable of in two matches against England during qualifying!
