Georgia vs Czech Republic predictions: Front-foot approach expected in Hamburg
- Georgia have scored in nine of their last 10 internationals
- At least three goals have been scored in Czech Republic's last six games
- Recommended bet: Over 3.5 goals in the match
There was plenty to like about Georgia and the Czech Republic's opening performances at Euro 2024, but after both sides were beaten, there is huge importance on their Group F clash at Volksparkstadion on Saturday.
On their major tournament debut, Georgia had more than their share of good moments against Turkey before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat, while the Czech Republic let a 1-0 lead slip against group favourites Portugal, with Francisco Conceicao's stoppage-time strike handing the Selecao a 2-1 win.
Defeat for either on Saturday could now prove catastrophic to their chances of reaching the knockout stages, but that may not stop it from being an open and entertaining contest.
Team news
Georgia head coach Willy Sagnol is not expected to make any changes to his starting XI with Georges Mikautadze, scorer of their goal against Turkey, once again expected to lead the line alongside Napoli ace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Czechs may also be tempted to stick with an unchanged line-up, although the likes of Ondrej Lingr and Mojmir Chytil, who were both introduced just after the hour mark against Portugal, are the most likely to come into the team if alterations are made.
The stats
Mikautadze's goal against Turkey means Georgia have now scored in nine of their last 10 internationals.
The Czechs have also been regular scorers, netting in each of their last eight games, but their defeat to Portugal did end a run of five straight victories for Ivan Hasek's team.
Czech forward Patrik Schick was the joint-top scorer at Euro 2020 with five goals, but he has only netted three times for his country since then and did not register a shot against Portugal.
This will be the first ever meeting between Georgia and the Czech Republic in senior international football.
Prediction
Georgia produced plenty of entertaining moments against Turkey, but given they face Portugal in their final group fixture, this is a match they could really do with winning.
That should ensure the Crusaders adopt a front-foot approach in Hamburg and after scoring in nine of their last 10 internationals, that appears to be something Sagnol's men are used to doing.
During that scoring sequence, Georgia have put three past Montenegro, four on Cyprus and eight against Thailand, albeit opposition that is not of the same quality of the Czechs, but it does underline their attacking intent, as does the fact that seven of their last 10 matches have yielded at least four goals.
While the Czechs largely adopted a pragmatic approach against Portugal, they did score for the eighth match in a row and will believe they have enough attacking quality to breach Georgia's sometimes questionable backline.
At least three goals have been scored in each of the Czechs' last six games and there should be more attacking action on show from both them and Georgia on Saturday.
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