Both Germany and Poland will be keen to build up on positive results from their Euro 2016 openers as they go head to head in Group C derby match that is likely to decide which team will head into the knockout from the pole position.

Germany in control

World Champions Germany got their Euro 2016 campaign off to a positive start. Loew’s men controlled the match against Ukraine from start to finish, not allowing their rivals to develop their play outside a 15-minute spell before the half-time. With Tony Kroos putting a superb performance in the middle of the park, Germany looked strong and composed through the outset and it has to be concluded that 2014 World Champions totally deserved their opening win. Mustafi’s header and Schweinsteiger’s late volley goal were enough for a morale-boosting win that will help Germany build momentum ahead of their match against Poland. Germans saved their strength against Ukraine and Joachim Loew will surely be expecting his men to raise the bar and make progress as competition unfolds. Germany are highly motivated to go all the way in the competition and win their fourth Euro title, but first since 1996. Germans want to repeat Spanish heroics and connect two major titles in consecutive tournaments so it remains to be seen if Poland can be enough of a challenge to put a dent in their title hopes.

Loew will have plenty of options to choose from as his side remained safe and sound against Ukraine. Germany boss is likely to make a couple of changes to his starting line-up and we could see Gomez start upfront instead of Mario Gotze for a change of pace in the Poland game.

Can Poland cause upset at EURO 2016?

Led by Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski, Poland have been described as the dark horses of the 2016 European Championship finals in France. Polish have been tipped to spring a surprise in France this summer but their opening win of 1-0 over Northern Ireland might not provide enough of information to draw tangible conclusions. Adam Nawalka’s men pulled off a narrow win over Northern Ireland courtesy of Arkadiusz Milik’s 51-minute strike which handed Poland an important victory at the start of the tournament. Poland are blessed with the presence of the world-class striker Robert Lewandowski who is yet to find his goal scoring boots at the competition. Euro 2016 qualifying top scorer with 13 goals to his name and additional 42 in 51 games for Bayern Munich, Lewandowski is expected to carry the entire load on his back and lead the team forward and the match against Germany could be the perfect chance for Bayern Munich man to explode.

Nawalka is unlikely to make changes to the side that beat Northern Ireland as Poland boss is keen to give his men another chance to gain momentum and materialize some of the missed chances from thei tournament’s opener. Lewandowski and Milik will continue in attack and will pose the biggest threat for Germany defence.

Verdict

Germany might haven’t had the best of starts to their Euro 2016 campaign, but they are sure to raise the bar against Poland as they look to end the group stage of the competition top seeded. Poland boast one of the best strikers in the world football and will look to exploit Lewandowski’s knowledge of Germany’s team to try and score past at times unbeatable Neuer.

Top pick: Germany   1.6 (3/5) @BetVictor

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score – yes   1.83 (5/6) @Ladbrokes

Alternative score 2: Over 2.5 goals  1.8 (4/5) @Bet365