Euro 2012 Opta Stats: Greece to deny co-hosts Poland

Poland have never won a game at the European Championship. Their one previous appearance in 2008 saw them exit at the group stage following one draw and two defeats
Poland's friendly form has been encouraging, but their record in competitive action - a situation they haven't experienced for close to three years - is less impressive, with them only qualifying for this tournament off their own back once and being sent home swiftly on that occasion. Greece have far more recent big-match experience, with this their fourth competition qualified for since 2004.

The last three host sides have all lost their opening games at Euros (Portugal in 2004, Switzerland and Austria in 2008)
Switzerland and Austria's struggles four years ago and South Africa's rapid World Cup elimination have forced a rethink into the importance of home advantage, and the above statistic reinforces the view that it isn't as significant as was once believed. Greece have crashed a party like this before, beating Portugal 2-1 in the Euro 2004 curtain-raiser. On two of these occasions, the scoreline was 0-1 10.519/2.

Greece had the lowest goals per game rate in qualifying to reach Euro 2012 (1.4 goals per game)
Group A is low on final-third quality but high on defensive strength, and the combination of Greece conceding only five times in ten qualifiers and Poland keeping five straight clean sheets leads under 2.5 goals to be rated an overwhelming 1.491/2 fancy. Under 1.5, a feature of four Greek qualifiers and four of Poland's last five, is a more appetising option and delivered in three of their last four clashes.

Recommended Bets:
Lay Poland @ 2.0621/20
Back Greece @ 4.57/2
Back under 1.5 goals @ 2.568/5

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