The major European football
competitions have now been decided following dramatic scenes across the
continent over the last few weeks and, while the Scandinavian and South
American competitions provide interest for many football fans and bettors at
this time of year, there is no doubt that most are eagerly awaiting the start
of Euro 2012. Here’s a look at the favoured
teams in Euro 2012...
Spain (available @ 3.75) are
favourites, and rightly so given their achievements in recent years. The existing European and World champions
play an exciting brand of football which truly defines the beautiful game. However, Euro 2012 is yet another leg of what
has been a hectic schedule for a team which have not had a summer off since winning
Euro 2008 having been dragged across the globe playing various exhibition
matches as well as the Confederations Cup in 2009. Compounding this, they go into this
tournament missing key players in Puyol and Villa who are out injured, not that
Spain are short of talent of course. The
Euros are notoriously tough competitions with very few easy games to be had and
Euro 2012 may prove a tournament too far for Spain on this occasion. It is also worth highlighting that no
European Champion has gone on to successfully defend the title.
The other stand out candidate for
success is Germany (@ 4.0). The Germans have
built on an impressive world cup two years ago by sailing through qualification
and must be considered as serious candidates this time around. The core of their squad has been playing at
the highest level in club football with a number of starlets gaining big game
experience which will serve them well this summer. With so much individual talent available to
compliment their inherent belief to deliver in the big tournaments, they are my
outright pick for Euro 2012.
As for the best of the rest, the Netherlands
(@ 8.5) must be given serious consideration having impressed in qualifying as
well as being the world cup runners up.
They set up to be solid defensively while having an attacking threat to
be feared; top class goal scorers in Van Persie and Huntelaar, match winners
and a strength in depth to change things if it’s not going their way. The Netherlands are very worthy of an each
way bet.
France (@ 13.0) offer an exciting blend
of experience and up and coming talent; they have steel, the ability to unlock
a tight game and a goal scorer full of confidence in Benzema. While qualification wasn’t impressive Les Bleus have steadily gained in
confidence since Laurent Blancs tenure began and they will fancy their chances
having gone 18 games unbeaten (including a victory over the Germans). Following their implosion in the 2010 World
Cup France will be keen to leave a more positive impression on the tournament
and they are my each way pick.
England (@ 13.0) go into a major
tournament for the first time (in my lifetime anyway) without the expectation
from home soil of a triumphant return.
Qualification was far from convincing while Roy Hodgson’s recent
appointment as manager has surprised many along with his squad choice which has
sparked serious debate. Roy Hodgson has
international experience and he has proved to be skilled in the art of
delivering beyond expectation most notably leading Fulham to the Europa League
Final in 2010. However, it may take an
effort (and fortune) comparable with Chelsea in the Champions League to win the
trophy on this occasion.
Italy (@ 15.0) are a force defensively
but they do not have the strength in depth of other nations. Despite comfortably topping the group in
qualifying there are concerns about their consistency. However, it is always dangerous to write off
the 4 time world champions.
The toughness of Portugal’s group is
verified by the odds at which they enter Euro 2012 (@ 21.0). Their squad includes a number of players who
have long been spoken about for their potential but without ever delivering to
the heights expected; I don’t see that changing this time around despite being
able to boast, as believed in some quarters, the best player in the world, Christiano Ronaldo.
iFootball Betting TIPS selections for
Euro 2012 are Germany (outright winners), the Netherlands and France (each
way). Good luck if you decide to follow
these selections.
All the best
Ronnie.
