Euro 2016 Group B Preview and Predictions for Russia

Our Euro 2016 Group B preview and predictions continue with a closer look at Russia, and everything Leonid Slutsky’s determined outfit can expect to achieve at this summer’s upcoming tournament. The sense of competition is bound to excite as both England and Wales await the Russians across the ever enticing group-stage proceedings…

 

Chances of success

Although Russia failed to set the global scene alight throughout the 2014 World Cup two summers ago, this current outfit have certainly evolved somewhat since Fabio Capello finally called it a day from the manager’s dug-out.

The Russians were indeed a little slow and unimaginative whilst operating in Brazil two summer’s ago, but as European Championships usually prove somewhat more favourable for Slutsky’s current outfit on the whole, perhaps Russia could serve to upset either the Welsh or the English at Euro 2016.

 

Ones to watch

Whilst former Arsenal star and unforgettable Premier League maverick, Andrey Arshavin, most probably won’t be present to represent his nation at this summer’s finals, the likes of Alan Dzagoev, Yuri Zhirkov and Igor Akinfeev will all likely be available for selection among Leonid Slutsky’s first team plans.

Zenit’s 25-year-old centre-forward Aleksandar Kokorin, who indecently goes down as a reported long-term transfer target for Arsene Wenger in the modern era, must nonetheless represent Russia’s greatest threat at Euro 2016. If Slutsky’s team are to excel this summer, then Kokorin will likely be at the forefront of everything positive among his current squad.

 

From the dug-out

Leonid Slutsky has arguably restored a great deal of identity among Russia’s squad since Fabio Capello parted ways with his former employers just last year. The 44-year-old tactician saw his playing days cut short during his development stages due to injury, but despite such a dramatic setback in his early career, has since become a mainstay component among Russian football management for over 15 years now.

 

Russia’s Euro 2016 Predictions

Although Russia are certainly entering Euro 2016 fresh and reinvigorated from their disappointing 2014 World Cup campaign, achieving smooth passage past those all-important group-stages will not prove an easy task. Russia nonetheless have what it takes to upset either England or Wales this summer however, so perhaps the relevant betting tips should really place the Russians as possible favourites to make it through to the knock-out stages with all things fairly taken into account…

If Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions are to fall up short at Euro 2016 over the summer, Leonid Slutsky’s side will likely be the ones benefitting when all is said and done.