Sport-locker.net preview England’s huge game against Ukraine in Group D of Euro 2012, as Andy Carroll looks set to be dropped for Wayne Rooney…

REVITIALISED CARROLL SPEARHEADING ENGLAND SUCCESS

In his first game of UEFA EURO 2012TM, Andy Carroll got off to a perfect start, heading home England’s opening goal in the Three Lion’s hard-fought 3-2 win against Sweden. This impressive performance was, according to Castrol EDGE Performance data, a continuation of the striker’s strong form at the back end of the 2011/12 season with Liverpool, when he netted a goal every 192 minutes.

Since he found the net away to Blackburn on April 10th, Carroll’s rate of scoring over the course of his last seven league and FA Cup games hugely improved compared to his season prior to that game, where he had netted a goal every 471 minutes on average. Carroll also posted a much better conversion rate in his final seven games while he was a much greater threat in the air, netting two headed goals and mustering a headed attempt every 38 minutes on average.

Against Sweden, Carroll worked hard, dropping deep to pick up the ball and even pulling out wide when necessary.

Central to Carroll’s good performance against Sweden, along with his goal, was his aerial power. Indeed, over the course of the first two rounds of the group stages, only one player could better the Liverpool man’s minutes per aerial duel rate.

If Roy Hodgson’s England are to continue their good form in the competition, the physical presence of Andy Carroll could well prove vital.

UKRAINE NEED TO IMPROVE SHOOTING ACCURACY

According to Castrol EDGE Performance data, host nation Ukraine have been let down in EURO 2012 by their failure to direct enough of their shots on target, Indeed, their shooting accuracy figure of 21% is the lowest in the competition after the first two group matchdays.

A key reason for this failure to hit the target often enough is the fact that the Ukrainians have tended to fire in their efforts from long range. Only 36.8% of their shots came from inside the opposition box (including their two goals in the tournament), the lowest proportion in the Euros so far.

While veteran striker and Ukraine icon Andriy Shevchenko has been doing his best to provide a cutting edge up front, scoring twice against Sweden in the process, his team-mates have struggled in front of goal.

Excluding Shevchenko, who has hit three shots on target so far, the entirety of the Ukraine team have mustered a total of just one shot on target in their two games so far.

Getting closer to the goal against England in Group D’s final round of matches will be key if the hosts are to progress to the knockout stages.

What do you think the score will be between England and Ukraine tonight? Will Wayne Rooney be the hero? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Twitter and Facebook pages.