We have it easier than France to go through

Sweden are out of the Euros. So they won't be trying as hard against France as Ukraine will against you lot. Ukraine are in front of their home support and know if they win they are through to the QFs in their home country. They will provide a real test for England.

My predictions:

Sweden 1-3 France
Ukraine 1-1 England

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hence sweden will shut up shot backs against the wall,, defend defend defend i can see it be a 1-1 or 2-1 to france. England on the other hand will have ukraine attacking play into englands hands

You're making the assumption that Ukraine will go all out attack from the start.

Sweden had to force the issue as the needed two goals to get anything from the group. We hit their tiring defence towards the end of the game, and that was mainly thanks to Walcott.

Ukraine are in a different situation. They have 90 minutes to get one goal. They'll play the way youre suggesting we will play and sit deep and play on the counter.

France can lose 1-0 and still go through no matter what the result of the England-Ukraine game is

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the only way france will lose 1-0 is if they place to draw or not lose and if it did have and we still did not go through then we dont deserve a place at the quaters. No point in making up the number

You're making the assumption that Ukraine will go all out attack from the start.

Sweden had to force the issue as the needed two goals to get anything from the group. We hit their tiring defence towards the end of the game, and that was mainly thanks to Walcott.

Ukraine are in a different situation. They have 90 minutes to get one goal. They'll play the way youre suggesting we will play and sit deep and play on the counter.

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they'll be first to blink mate, the onus is on them. No way are they going to way till the end, in anycase we seem to be starting off really well and should have a decent goal or two lead before any all out attack by ukraine is launched.

Essentially you've negated your own argument by saying they won't go all out attack.

We've been starting off well, but not great. Ukraine aren't stpuid, they will aim to keep it tight and play on the counter like they have the whole tournament. I don't see them changing that style.

I think we will go through, but to say France have it harder is a bit ridiculous given they are a much better team than Sweden, who have nothing to play for, and Ukraine are hosts and need a win to qualify.

Essentially you've negated your own argument by saying they won't go all out attack.

We've been starting off well, but not great. Ukraine aren't stpuid, they will aim to keep it tight and play on the counter like they have the whole tournament. I don't see them changing that style.

I think we will go through, but to say France have it harder is a bit ridiculous given they are a much better team than Sweden, who have nothing to play for, and Ukraine are hosts and need a win to qualify.

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well if you want me to be pedantic then i will tell you i expect to ukraine to play a high attacking line. Maybe not from the off but eventually.

And yes france do have it easier on paper, but even on paper both england and france should win and then it comes to goal differences were england will benefit from the high ukraine attack line (eventually) and possible even very early on if we score first

lets not forget, its still in england hands top the group which they need to do.

I think the first goal will be key. If we can get an early goal we'll have a chance of getting a high score, if not it could be a tight affair - which is what I'm expecting.

I don't expect Ukraine to play a high line. But I guess we will just have to wait and see.

I think the first goal will be key. If we can get an early goal we'll have a chance of getting a high score, if not it could be a tight affair - which is what I'm expecting.

I don't expect Ukraine to play a high line. But I guess we will just have to wait and see.

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to say it was high line was maybe tad overstatement, but expect gaps behind the defenders and a few 1 on 1...other than that i agree on your post (valid points)

Ukraine's full backs looked really vulnerable against France, I wonder how we will line up because Young and Milner were pretty poor today.

Maybe Walcott will start? We don't really have anyone decent to replace Young. Hopefully he will improve with Rooney back in the team. Him, Rooney and Welbeck all link up very well, and should all start. Think Welbeck will cause more problems than Carroll, and then there is the link up thing also.

Sweden are down, out and demoralised. Prior to this game there was rumour of an in camp bust up of Ibra vs Sweden. They are playing a team that needs a point to control their own destiny, or 3 to avoid Spain. Its not a case of Sweden rolling over for France, rather a case of France still having purpose in the competition, and on paper being better than Sweden in at least 10 positions on the pitch.

Ukraine know they need to outscore us to stay at their own party. They will no doubt be encouraged that we have conceeded more than a goal per match, and that when we go 1 up we average about 18mins before we throw it away. In terms of England, a draw sees us through. I would not be at all suprised to see us approach & start the game with this "just don't lose" mentality, with the opening being quite cagey. The home support will spur Ukraine on to take the ball to us. All in all, it will be a somewhat nervy encounter.