Poland vs Czech Republic

PGE Narodowy is the venue as Poland and the Czech Republic go head-to-head in a high-stakes Euro 2024 qualifier.

Poland’s hesitance over sacking underperforming coach Fernando Santos will likely backfire as their bid to reach the Euro finals for the fifth time in a row is out of their hands. Anything other than a victory over the Czech Republic would end the hosts’ pursuit of a top-two finish in Group E after delivering a mixed bag of performance in their last three Euro qualifiers (W1, D1, L1). But even if they end a two-game losing H2H streak with a win here, Michał Probierz’s men will have to hope the Czechs won’t beat Moldova in the final round, which is far-fetched. Holding up their end of the bargain is the only important thing, and a five-game unbeaten home run (W4, D1) since a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands in September 2022 should inspire confidence.

In the meantime, the Czech Republic would maintain their 100% qualification rate for the Euros as an independent country and reach their eighth finals if they can avoid defeat in Warsaw. In truth, it would rule Poland out as contenders, but it would still require a positive result against third-placed Moldova in the last round, provided the Moldovans beat Albania in their home fixture. Jaroslav Silhavy must address his side’s patchy form in away Euro qualifiers (W2, D1, L4), though the Czechs’ record on Polish soil hardly bodes well. Before emerging victorious in a friendly in 2018, they had lost all three previous visits to their neighbors’ backyard, casting doubt on their chances in this fixture.