ON TODAYS’ MENU
Back to a triple header of football on Wednesday as Russia take on Slovakia in the 2pm kick-off in Lille. This is a must win game for both sides after Slovakia were defeated 2-1 by Gareth Bale and Wales, while Russia were held to a 1-1 draw by England last Saturday night.
Then to Group A, where Romania take on Switzerland at 5pm. Romania were narrowly beaten 2-1 in the opening game of Euro 2016 by hosts France, so will need a result from this one to keep their chances of qualification alive.
The last of the day’s entertainment comes courtesy of France as they take on tournament outsiders Albania. Les Bleus will hope to add to their winning start, while Albania will look to brush off their opening game 1-0 defeat to Switzerland, which saw them play 60 minutes with 10 men after captain Lorik Cana was sent-off for a second bookable offence.
TALKING POINT
Uefa announced they have handed Russia a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 after fan trouble has almost over shadowed the first few days of the competition.
The Russian Football Union were charged in relation to crowd disturbances, use of fireworks and racist behaviour inside the Stade Velodrome last Saturday. Any more crowd disturbances inside a stadium during a Russia match will lead to them being disqualified.
NUMBERS GAME
This is Albania’s first ever European Championship finals after qualifying as runners up to Portugal in Group I, ahead of Denmark and Serbia. The Albanians were 500/1 pre-tournament outsiders, but aren’t just here to make up the numbers, having already performed bravely with 10 men against Switzerland last Saturday, and will look to cause an upset against the host nation.
TALKING SENSE
“We’ve shown that we can hurt teams. I'm really looking forward to the next two and I've got really good feelings that we can out of this group." - Winger Robbie Brady on Ireland’s chances of qualification.
PLACE YOUR BET
Romania pushed France all the way in the tournament opener last Friday and were unlucky to lose, while Switzerland narrowly beat 10-man Albania 1-0 in their opening fixture. Bet365 are giving odds of 15/4 on a draw and both teams to score (BTTS).
France’s Olivier Giroud is 21/20 to score anytime in their Group A clash Albania, which is well worth doubling your money for.
WELL THAT WAS UNEXPECTED
Italy's 2-0 win over Belgium shocked quite a few, and rightly so.
Described by many as the worst Italian side of all time, they went out on Monday night and clinically saw off an extremely gifted, but tactically hopeless Belgium team. Italy defended admirably, as expected, and shut out the group favourites, who lacked ideas and often looked clueless going forward throughout the 90 minutes.
A few have now sat up and taken notice of the Italians, including bookmakers, who have already slashed their odds to win the tournament outright from 16/1 to 10/1.
Wilmots on defeat at the hands of Italy:
