The opening round of the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifiers goes on Friday, March 24, with eight games on the schedule, so we bring you the best Czech Republic vs. Poland betting pick along with the latest team stats, news, and odds update.
Czech Republic – Poland Betting Tip, Prediction & Odds (24.3.2023)
The Locomotive and Eagles lock horns for the first time in more than four years, hoping to kick off the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifiers on a high note. It’s a tough matchup for either side, and we’re expecting to see a great battle at Fortuna Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.
Czech Republic vs. Poland: Initial Situation
The top two teams from each group will make it to the EURO 2024. Alongside Czech Republic and Poland, Group E features Moldova, Albania, and Faroe Islands which are arguably much weaker teams than Poland and Czech Republic.
Czech Republic Stats & Form
The Locomotive missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and over their last six outings, Czech Republic have recorded five defeats and just one win. Back in November, Czech Republic played a couple of friendlies, beating Faroe Islands 5-0 at home and losing to Turkey 2-1 on the road in the process. In their previous nine showings at home, the Locomotive have earned five victories, three draws, and only one loss.
Head coach Jaroslav Silhavy has a huge problem ahead of Friday’s clash against Poland. The 27-year-old forward Patrick Schick (35 caps, 18 goals), who was the EURO 2020 joint top scorer, is sidelined with an injury, so Adam Hlozek (19 caps, 1 goal) will probably get the nod up front. Tomas Soucek (56 caps, 9 goals) is the Czechs’ captain and a key player in the middle of the park.
Poland Stats & Form
The Eagles are coming off a 3-1 defeat against France in the World Cup Round of 16. They have a new head coach in Fernando Santos, who spent eight years at Portugal’s helm before joining the Eagles a couple of months ago. In their last seven matches on the road, Poland have registered five victories, a draw, and a loss.
Robert Lewandowski (138 caps, 78 goals) is the Eagles’ captain and a key player in this Poland team. The veteran striker has bagged 25 goals in 33 appearances for Barcelona this season. Krzysztof Piatek (27 caps, 11 goals) is another dangerous forward, while Piotr Zielinski (78 caps, 10 goals) orchestrates Poland’s game from the middle of the park.
Czech Republic – Poland: Head-to-Head
Czech Republic and Poland have met eight times thus far, and either side has emerged victorious four times. The Locomotive have won three of their previous four encounters with the Eagles, including their last date in November 2018.
Czech Republic – Poland Odds
The bookmakers favor Czech Republic over Poland, probably because the Locomotive will play in front of the home audience. Frankly, it’s hard to separate these two teams, and Friday’s match could easily go three-way. We shouldn’t see a lot of goals in this matchup, and Under 2.5 Goals pays 1.72 at Unibet Sportsbook.
As I’ve mentioned above, Czech Republic and Poland are the two strongest teams in Group E. Hereof, I’m expecting them to take a patient approach and try not to lose the opening game of the qualifiers. Betting on Poland to stay unbeaten at 1.60 odds with bet365 Sportsbook is one way to go, but the odds on Under 2.5 Goals are slightly more attractive. Seven of Poland’s last eight games overall have seen fewer than three goals on the scoreboard.
Betting tip and prediction: Czech Republic – Poland (24.3.2023)