Poland Euro 2020: Team News, Odds & Predictions
With one of their best squads in years and having reached the quarter finals in 2016, Poland are a team well worth keeping an eye out for at Euro 2020. Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski is one of the leading strikers in world football, however there is much more to Poland than their captain. Poland have been drawn alongside Span, Sweden and Slovakia in Group E, with many expecting them to reach the knockout stage of the tournament. Ahead of their first match, we will take a close look at their chances. This will include popular betting markets and our expert prediction.
Poland History
Poland qualified for the European Championships for the first time back in 2008. The team failed to make it out of their group in both 2008 and 2012, before making an impact at Euro 2016 in France. Here, Poland beat both Northern Ireland and Ukraine, before knocking out Switzerland in the Round of 16 on penalties. They were eventually beaten by eventual winners Portugal, also on penalties. Poland has twice finished in third place at the World Cup, coming in 1974 and 1982. Poland are currently ranked 21 by FIFA.
How Poland Qualified for Euro 2020
Poland qualified for Euro 2020 with ease, winning 8 of their 10 matches in Group G. Scoring 18 and conceding just 5 goals during their campaign, Poland ended on 25 points, six clear of Austria. Poland ended their qualifying campaign with a 3-2 win at home against Slovenia, with their only defeat having come in the reverse fixture. Striker Lewandowski finished the campaign with six goals to his name. Five other players got onto the scoresheet during qualifing for Poland, including Arkadiusz Milik.
Poland in Group E
Despite having been drawn against former winners Spain, Poland will be quietly confident of making it out of Group E. They will get their Euro 2020 campaign underway against Slovakia in Russia, where they will return to round things off against Sweden. The following are Poland’s Euro 2020 Group E fixtures:
- Poland vs Slovakia – Gazprom Arena, St Petersburg – June 14 17:00
- Spain vs Poland – Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville – June 19 20:00
- Sweden vs Poland – Gazprom Arena, St Petersburg – June 23 17:00
Poland Euro 2020: Odds & Predictions
Despite having arguably their best ever team, Poland remain significant outsiders to win Euro 2020. Those looking to bet on Poland winning the tournament for the first time can take advantage of best odds of 100/1 at Tonybet. The following are Poland’s outright Euro 2020 odds at other leading betting sites:
- Bet365 – 80/1
- Tonybet – 100/1
- 888Sport – 80/1
- SportNation – 9/1
- Betfair – 66/1
- NetBet – 80/1
- William Hill – 80/1
- Ladbrokes – 66/1
Away from the outright winner market, there are a number of additional markets surrounding Poland. Firstly, Robert Lewandowski is 25/1 with Betfair to win the Euro 2020 golden boot award, with the Bayern Munich man being 50/1 to claim the player of the tournament award. Poland are 9/4 with William Hill to reach the quarter finals, something they achieved at Euro 2016.
The Manager
50-year-old Paulo Sousa was appointed as Polish head coach in January 2021, with the Portuguese manager having replaced Jerzy Brzęczek. Sousa’s first match in charge ended in a 3-3 draw with Hungary in a 2022 World Cup qualifying tie. Sousa, a former Inter Milan, Juventus and Dortmund midfielder, began his managerial career with QPR in England. He then moved on to the likes of Swansea City, Leicester City, Basel, Fiorentina and Bordeaux. He won the Swiss Super League in 2015, as well as the Israeli Premier League in 2014 with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Standout Players
We have mentioned him a lot already, however there is nowhere else to start other than Lewandowski. The striker scored a record 41 Bundesliga goals this season, demonstrating just how dangerous he is in front of goal. Elsewhere, Napoli’s Piotr Zieliński is Poland’s standout player in midfield, while Southampton’s Jan Bednarek will be familiar to Premier League fans. 17-year-old Kacper Kozłowski has been named in the squad, despite having just two senior international caps to his name. Finally, Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny is certain to be Poland’s no.1 during the tournament, ahead of West Ham’s Łukasz Fabiański.
Poland’s Strengths & Weaknesses
Poland undoubtedly have an eye for goal. Even without Lewandowski, they have strikers who can come into the fold and find the back of the net. Poland like to get the ball wide and deliver crosses, with their forwards being dominant in the air, as well as being comfortable with the ball to feet. While they may struggle to cope with opposition attacks due to their lack of a world class defender, it should come as no surprise if Poland are involved in high scoring matches during Euro 2020.
Our Prediction for Poland at Euro 2020
We believe that Poland will battle it out with Sweden to reach the Round of 16 from Group E. Their threat in front of goal means that betting on Poland being eliminated at this point of the tournament is well worth considering. Available at odds of 11/8 with both William Hill and Betfair, this could bring about some significant returns. A win against Slovakia in their opening Group E match would boost Poland’s chances no end.