Albion fans in Kiev hopeful of an England victory (From The Argus)

Albion fans in Kiev hopeful of an England victory

3:54pm Sunday 24th June 2012 in News

Albion fans are among the thousands of England supporters preparing for tonight’s quarter-final clash in Kiev.

There is an air of confidence in the Ukraine capital as Roy Hodgson's men aim to continue their impressive run against Italy this evening.

Expectations were low going into the tournament, but England won their group and are now one game away from meeting Germany in the semi-finals.

Some Three Lions fans predicted England would win even if it went to penalties at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow, despite them having the worst shoot-out record of the eight quarter-finalists.

Derek Chapman, a director at Brighton and Hove Albion, said: "It's 50/50, it's a very tough game.

"Italy are one of the top eight teams in the world.

"I've followed England to every tournament since 1996 and I'm not expecting anything too much."

He added: "It could be close. It could be penalties, or 2-1 either way."

Businessman Lee Pattenden, 54, also from Brighton, said: "We've gone through and you've got to say the team are performing perfectly, exactly to Hodgson's roles."

He added that temperamental Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli would get red-carded.

"Balotelli will get sent off because all the England guys know how to play him. I see him going after 60 minutes.

"Maybe they've got a goal in them, but so have we. That's why I'm forecasting a draw and we'll go through on penalties."

Paul Rawson, 36, from Derby, also predicted the game would end in a draw, followed by a penalty shoot-out.

"I think England might do it this time," he said confidently.

Other supporters believed it would be a tight match between two defensive sides.

Plumber Declan Culhane, 47, from Cambridge, said: "I don't think there's anything to be frightened of. It's going to be a close game but we can snatch a victory.

"It could possibly go to extra time but I don't want it to go to penalties."

Marketing manager Dave Edwards, 41, from Southampton, said: "It's going to be a tight game because of the way Roy Hodgson sets the team up. It will be in a defensive style."

He added: "I wouldn't be surprised if it was the dreaded penalties again."

What are you doing for tonight’s match? Email your pictures and thoughts to news@theargus.co.uk or text 80360 starting the message with: SUPIC.