GEORGIA VS CZECH REPUBLIC: PREVIEW, PREDICTION & BETTING PICKS

Both teams will be desperate to pick up three points in order to keep their hopes firmly alive, but we expect there to be nothing to split the pair in an entertaining, high-scoring affair – Georgia 2-2 Czech Republic

Date: 22/06/24

Kick-off time: 10:00 (EST)

Venue: Volksparkstadion

Against Turkey in the opening group fixture, Georgia made their debuts at a major tournament. It did not go to plan, with a 3-1 loss, but they will be hoping to recover and pick up their first points against Czech Republic. If they are to have any hope of advancing to the knockout stages, whether that be by finishing in the top two, or by being one of the best third place teams, they must win this game, considering they face Portugal in the final fixture. Their opponents got off to a similarly poor start, heartbreakingly losing 2-1 late on to Portugal in their opener. This means that it is also a must win for them if they want to keep their chances of advancing to the knockout stages alive. If they do so, it will be the third time in four tournaments they have made it out of the group stages.Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will be the main man to watch out for in the Georgia side.

The winger has scored 11 goals in 34 Serie A appearances this season and is his side’s most dangerous threat. He is supported by Metz striker Georges Mikautadze, who has already netted in the competition against Turkey. Mikautadze has been successful in his young international career so far, scoring 11 goals in 26 caps. They should be confident in causing issues for a Czech backline who have not kept a clean sheet in five consecutive games.However, Czech Republic came into the tournament in good attacking form scoring 16 in the five games prior to their opener against Portugal. Against inferior opposition in their second game, they will hope to get back on track. Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick leads the line for them, following a solid season in which he netted 13 times in all competitions.This will be the first ever meeting between Georgia and Czech Republic in history. They have not played in any fixture, competitively or in a friendly, mainly because this is Georgia’s first ever appearance at a major tournament.

Georgia

Georgia should have no injury issues to contend with. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will once again play a prominent role in attack, supported by striker Georges Mikautadze, who netted in the opener.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic should have a fully fit squad to choose from for this game, though they were dealt a blow prior to the tournament with Michal Sadilek forced to pull out with an injury sustained from a bicycle accident.

In their last five games, Georgia have won two, lost two and drawn one. It was a solid stretch for Georgia prior to the tournament which they qualified for via the playoffs. However, they made a disappointing start to the competition with defeat against Turkey in the opening game. They were on the end of a 3-1 scoreline, conceding two stunners to Mert Muldur and Arda Guler, either side of a Georges Mikautadze equaliser. Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu scored deep into stoppage time to put the game to bed.This followed the only friendly game they played in preparation, in which they beat Montenegro 3-1. Otar Kiteishvili scored early to put them in front, and this lead was doubled by Mikautadze. Stevan Jovetic pulled one back to halve the deficit but Budu Zivzivadze added a third to secure the win.

They secured their place in the Euros as they prevailed on penalties 4-2 against Greece in the final playoff game. This came after a goalless draw in which they gave up more of the ball to their opponents. On the stroke of half-time Georgia were reduced to 10 men, but they were able to hold on and eventually book their place in the tournament.The meeting with Greece was set up by a 2-0 win over Luxembourg. Zivzivadze scored both goals either side of half-time to advance. Their opponents were at a disadvantage with Maxime Chanot sent off shortly after the restart. The first game of this run was a 3-1 loss to Spain in the last game of the group stage of the European qualifiers. Robin Le Normand opened the scoring very early, but star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia responded just six minutes later. Ferran Torres restored Spain’s lead in the second half, before an own goal made it three.

In their last five games, Czech Republic have won four and lost one. It had been a very dominant stretch for the Czech heading into the tournament with four straight wins, but they fell to defeat in their opening game of the Euros against Portugal. They did take the lead through Lukas Provod with what was their only shot on target, but conceded an equaliser seven minutes later with an own goal. Portugal thought they had taken the lead, but Diogo Jota’s goal was ruled out for offside. They did eventually go in front in stoppage time thanks to a Francisco Conceicao strike.Czech Republic’s preparations for the competition ended with a narrow 2-1 win over North Macedonia.

The opening goal did not come until the 60th minute as Patrik Schick scored from the penalty spot. Isnik Alimi equalised five minutes later, and this is how it remained until deep into stoppage time. Another penalty was awarded in the 98th minute which was converted by Antonin Barak to win the game. This followed a thumping 7-1 victory against Malta. It was 2-0 at half-time, with goals from Barak and Mojmir Chytil putting them ahead. Further strikes from Chytil, David Jurasek, Ondrej Lingr, Matej Jurasek and Vaclav Cerny completed the scoring.Armenia were their previous opponents, with the result ending 2-1 in the Czech’s favour. They had to come from behind to win the game with goals from Ladislav Krejci and Tomas Chory. The first game of this run was another 2-1 win, this time against Norway. Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb broke the deadlock, but David Zima levelled the score before the break. Barak scored the winner with five minutes to go.