Georgia - Czech Republic predictions and free betting tips [22/06/2024]

On Saturday, 22 June, in the 2nd round of the group stage of Euro 2024, Georgia will face the Czech Republic. Both nations suffered bitter defeats in their opening matches, making the duel in Hamburg crucial for their aspirations of securing the second spot.

Predicted Line-ups

Georgia: Mamardashvili; Dvali, Kashiia, Kverkvelia; Kakabadze, Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili, Chakvetadze, Tsitaishvili; Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze.

Ahead of his transition to Metz, forward Georges Mikautadze netted his 11th goal for Georgia last week, restoring parity in the first half against Turkey. Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia failed to make a significant impact, despite several good opportunities. Midfielders Kochorashvili (Levante) and Chakvetadze (Watford) also played brilliantly. With a slight injury, midfielder Kiteishvili (Sturm Graz) was benched on Tuesday evening, while the primary goalkeeper Loria (78 caps) lost the competition to Valencia's Mamardashvili.

Cremonese's central defender Luka Lochoshvili may be a candidate to start if Willy Sagnol decides to shake up the defence, and Zuriko Davitashvili will handle creative duties on the wing. Mamuchashvili (Dinamo Batumi), Sazonov (Torino), Azarovi (Shakhtar), Aburjania (Hayaspor), and Kankava (Slovan Bratislava) were not included in the squad for the continental tournament.

Czech Republic: Staněk; Holeš, Granečný, Krejčí; Souček; Coufal, Barák, Provod, Douděra; Chytil, Schick.  

Michal Sadílek was sidelined from the national team roster due to an injury sustained during a bike ride. Defenders Zelený (Sparta Prague) and Gabriel (Midtjylland) did not receive a call-up for the tournament; the same applies to Král (Union Berlin), Masopust (Slavia Prague), and striker Čvančara (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1 goal).

Provod (Slavia Prague), meanwhile, scored a wonder goal in their opening match against Portugal, while Patrik Schick disappointed, having often found himself on Bayer Leverkusen's bench in the past season. Coufal (West Ham) was extremely active on his defensive flank and successfully challenged Leão, while Chytil (Slavia Prague), Lingr (Feyenoord), Barák (Fiorentina), and Ševčík (Slavia) were less effective in attack. Sparta Prague striker Kuchta, along with playmaker Souček (West Ham) and Douděra (Slavia), are likely to start this time.

Stadium

The match will take place at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.

Georgia

Making their European Championship debut under Willy Sagnol, the Crusaders put on a commendable performance against Turkey in the first round, despite the final scoreline (1:3). After Mert Müldür's brilliant strike put the Crescent Stars ahead, Georges Mikautadze scored a historic goal – the nation's first in a major tournament. Georgia attempted 14 shots on goal (a record for debutants in the continental championship), but made a crucial error late in the game: in their desperate final push, they conceded a counterattack and let in a third goal.

This detail is crucial because the statistics of goals scored/conceded will matter if they finish third and hope to progress to the playoffs. Georgia secured their spot in Germany by defeating Luxembourg (2:0) and Greece in the qualifiers. They played just one friendly in June against Montenegro, which they won 3:1. Since the group stage was introduced in the Euros, only two teams have lost their opening match and still advanced to the playoffs: Slovakia and Northern Ireland (in 2016). Interestingly, bookmakers offer odds of 750 for Sagnol's men to win the Euros.

Czech Republic

On Tuesday evening, the Czechs started their Euro campaign against Portugal and, as expected, lost (2:1). It is noteworthy that the red-and-blues were very weak in attack, but managed to capitalise on their only chance with Provod's fantastic shot! An own goal by Robin Granečný levelled the scoreline in Leipzig, but in added time, substitute Francisco Conceição broke Czech hearts with the winning goal. The Czech Republic completed fewer passes in the first round than any other team at Euro 2024, and had only eight touches in the opponent's penalty area.

Nevertheless, the national team reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 and once won the continental championship in 1976. The Czech Republic did not need to go through the playoffs for qualification, finishing second in their group. Tuesday's loss to Portugal was their first defeat of 2024 for Hašek's men, who won all four friendlies in March against Norway (2:1) and Armenia (2:1), and before the Euros, defeated modest Malta (7:1) and North Macedonia (2:1).

Head-to-head

These teams have never met before.

Match Prediction: Georgia vs. Czech Republic

Both teams lost their opening matches, but Georgia seemed much more confident. The Crusaders could have easily drawn against the talented Turkish team, while the red-and-blues spent all 90 minutes defending their penalty area. It feels like bookmakers are overestimating the nominal visitors, so I'm betting on Sagnol's men with a +1 handicap.

Total Prediction

The Mikautadze-Kvaratskhelia duo will likely conjure something interesting against the Czech defence, as the Georgians looked impressive in their attack against Turkey. I'm betting on both teams to score.

Corner Prediction

The Georgians possess dynamic attacking flanks and will not be confined to their half, so I'm betting on their individual total corners over 3.5.

Yellow Card Prediction

In the first round, these teams earned only two yellow cards between them, so I'm betting on a total of fewer than 3.5 yellow cards.

Score Prediction

I'm betting on a 1-1 draw.