France vs England: String of Losses Sets Up England for Downfall in Euro 2012

Entering Euro 2012 when you're hot is a good thing. Entering Euro 2012 when you've been cold for about four years? Not so much. 

Such is the situation facing England as it prepares for this summer's tournament—and a looming matchup with France—knowing that it has lost four of its last five games to Opponent No. 1 in Group D.

The Three Lions also know that France is coming off a 4-0 shellacking of Estonia, and they seem resigned to the fact that their stretch of futility, extending all the way back to Euro 2008, has resulted in virtually no expectations for their team at all.

It doesn't seem like England has any fighting spirit left, which isn't a good sign when the tournament hasn't even started.

England and France will kick off Euro 2012 with a matchup on Monday at 12 p.m. ET, and England has the most to prove out of any team in Group D. They're encountering expectations like those of former manager Glenn Hoddle, who certainly had a lot to say about the squad, none of which was good.

Hoddle told the Daily Mail:

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"It is going to be tough, I don't see us winning it and going all the way, I hope I'm wrong and I feel a lot of people in the nation are all the same. I think we will get through the group, I really do. I'm expecting us to sneak through the group but I don't think we will score many goals.

"I hope they can see that the expectations are taken off them because normally the expectations are very high and the pressure is on for any England group going to any tournament so I think it can work in their favor."

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Perhaps the reduced expectations can inspire England to overachieve, but it will be tough against a group that includes Sweden and Ukraine in addition to France.

Even an initial victory against France will be difficult to pull off given the slew of injuries currently afflicting the Three Lions—including those to Gary Cahill, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, John Ruddy and now John Terry, who pulled a hamstring against Belgium last weekend.

France, on the other hand, hasn't lost since last August and now has the momentum—and their fans—back on their side. Without any significant injury concerns, it's hard to believe a team that looks so good will fall to an England squad that looks vulnerable and tired before the tournament has even begun.

At least, with the reduced expectations, the fans can't be upset when England falls.