With just over a week to go until the first matches, let’s take a look at the tournament betting – now is the time to get the best prices. But before we do, just a quick reminiscence. Way back in 1991, I was working in Moscow and went along to see Russia v Hungary in the Luzhniki Stadium. The Wall had not long fallen at that time, and there were scores to settle for the Hungarians after years of USSR domination. Needless to say, it was a tough match – one of the hardest I have seen.
Euro 2012 opens with Russia-Czechoslovakia and Poland-Greece. The Russia-Czech match is sure to be entertaining, especially as Russia have just been held to a draw by Lithuania and will have something to prove. There are long memories over there in Eastern Europe.
So, who are the overall tournament favourites?Spainare up there at 69/25, withGermany76/25,Netherlands7/1. France and England are both at 12. I think that’s being kind to England, but you never know – Roy Hodgson is the thinking man’s manager. His first match in charge was a win and there are some great past England managers who could not make that claim!
What about picking the top goalscorer? You more or less have to go with someone who is in one of the favourite teams, or do you? More matches = more goals. Seems logical, but that’s not what the money says – Ronaldo is third favourite at 12/1 whilst Portugal are down 7th in the overall win betting ranks. Mario Gomez (Germany) is favourite at 8/1 followed by Robin Van Persie at 11/1. For me, I’m going for RVP and the Netherlands. That looks like a good double…
Over the next couple of days, I’m going to be analyzing the prospects for player of the tournament and a couple of other bets which rely on judgement. That will not include Total Corners (Bet365 are offering 7/2 for 316-325) which is too narrow a spread for my taste!