Euro 2008 Predictions: Group A

In this post, I will talk a little bit about Group A of the Euro 2008 Finals which will start this Saturday. The teams in this group are Czech Republic, Portugal, Turkey, and Switzerland.

Here are my predictions for this group as well as the final standings should by predictions be correct.

Saturday June 7

Switzerland 0
Czech Republic 1

Czech Republic can definitely win this match for sure. Switzerland has made it to Euro 2004 but did not it make to the quarterfinals. However, they did play a part in spoiling Croatia's chances to advance tying them 0-0 so I don't think Czech Republic will embarrass Switzerland with multiple goals but I don't think Switzerland will be able to win this one either.

Portugal 1
Turkey 1

I don't care what anyone says about Turkey. They are not easy team. Yes, they have fallen behind a little bit since their 2002 World Cup third place finish, but I think they can give Portugal some trouble. I predict a 1-1 tie in this one.

Withe above results, day one will end with the Czech Republic at the top of the standings with 3 points. Portugal and Turkey will be tied with 1 point while Switzerland would be at the bottom.

Wednesday June 11

Czech Republic 3
Portugal 2

This will be a tough match for both teams, but recently the Czech Republic has been amazing after beating Germany in the qualifying round. Don't get me wrong, Portugal is no easy team either, but I think that the match will seem to end in a 2-2 tie, but as Portugal starts to let their guards down a little bit and settle for a tie, I think the Czechs will score a last minute game winner making 3-2

Switzerland 0
Turkey 0

Switzerland will spoil at least one team's chances and I think that team will be Turkey. Turkey will have several chances but I think it will end in a scoreless tie that would set the Turks back in their quest to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Sunday June 15

Switzerland 1
Portugal 3

I don't see Switzerland winning against Portugal at all and I don't home field advantage will help them either. Portugal (I think) will also win with at least a 2 goal difference.

Turkey 1
Czech Republic 2

According to my prediction, Czech Republic would have won two their three group matches and their match against Turkey will not be any different. Czech Republic is looking for a repeat performance of Euro 2004 in which they topped their group with a 3-0-0 record and I feel that they can do the same here. However, Turkey is not an easy team to defeat and they will not go down without a fight since they will fighting against elimination since it is this match that will make the difference. Turkey will definitely score at least one goal but Czech Republic will take the 3 points to continue their perfect record in the group stage.

Here is how the final standings will look according to my predictions.

1. Czech republic 9 pts (3 wins)
2. Portugal 4 pts (1 win, 1 tie, 1 loss)
3. Turkey 2 pts (2 ties, 1 loss)
4. Switzerland 1 pt (1 tie, 2 losses)

According to these prediction, Czech Republic will have to play my predicted Group B runner-up (Croatia) and Portugal will have to play my predicted Group B winner (Germany). These two quarterfinals will be extremely tough for both teams.