Euro 2012 Schedule: Predicting Teams Who Will Advance to Knockout Stages

There are three more groups to be decided at Euro 2012 after Saturday's slate of games. Drama will be at the highest level over the next few days.

Here are the teams I believe will advance to the knockout stages.

Germany

Germany has been the class of the tournament thus far. It has only conceded one goal through two games and its form has been up to par.

Mario Gomez has taken his form from the Bundesliga and implemented into his play from a national team standpoint.

Every touch, every shot and every thought that crosses his mind has been positive. His form is on-point right now and he's one of many reasons why Germany will win Group B.

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo needs to step up.

He always appears to believe that he's better than anybody else on the pitch. Most of the time he is the best, but it's time for him to perform that way.

He missed two opportunities against Denmark and it put a dent into his legacy from a national standpoint. He's due for a quality game and a goal or two against Netherlands.

Portugal's offense has been shaky but dangerous through two games. After failing to score against Germany, it put three up on Denmark.

If Portugal can receive another quality performance offensively and something from Ronaldo, it will make it to the knockout stages.

Spain

Spain still needs to do work in order to get to the knockout stages. With Croatia standing in its way, the team control their own destiny.

Republic of Ireland was exactly the team Spain needed to play following its tie to Italy. It allowed them to regain their form and confidence offensively. Not conceding helps too.

Ireland will have the better team with the better talent when it plays Croatia. It will do what it needs to do in order to make it to the knockout stages. 

Italy

Italy needs a victory and some help from Spain to get to the knockout stages.

It will get it.

Playing against Republic of Ireland will allow Italy to score a few more goals to add to its total. Republic of Ireland has only scored one goal while conceding seven this tournament.

This game is up for grabs if Italy is ready to take it. It will.

France 

France has tied England and defeated Ukraine in its first two games. Now it's Sweden, a team who has yet to earn a point.

Advantage France. 

France will earn at least a point to make to the knockout stages. 

England

If England defeats or ties Ukraine, it will be going to the knockout stages. It will achieve its goal.

Following a first game tie, England defeated Sweden 3-2 on Friday. 

Ukraine, England's next opponent, has looked like a dangerous side, creating several scoring chances. Ukraine is moving the ball well, finding teammates and communicating on defense.

It won't be an easy task, but England will do what it has to do in order to advance.

Final predictions

Group B

1. Germany

2. Portugal

3. Denmark 

4. Netherlands

Group C

1. Spain

2. Italy

3. Croatia

4. Republic of Ireland

Group D

1. France

2. England

3. Ukraine

4. Sweden 

Check out bbc.co.uk for the complete Euro 2012 schedule.