Kickoff for Euro 2012 is just hours away and the anticipation for the event is at fever pitch. To make the game more enjoyable, here are the odds for the 200-plus bets available.
Whether you are strapped in front of a big screen TV or quietly sneaking in a livestream at your work computer, if your betting hunger gets going make sure you have the Ladbrokes mobile app handy on your smartphone to settle that appetite.Tournament co-hosts Poland look to make a big splash right from the start and will not want to disappoint their rabid fanbase that is sure to make Warsaw a hostile environment for the Greeks.
Coming into the opener, Poland have won three straight, albeit against some lightweight competition (Latvia, Slovakia and perennial whipping boys, Andorra) compared to what they’ll face in Greece.
They played each other to a 0-0 draw just over a year ago away to the Blue and White but the stakes are obviously much higher this time around. Speaking of stakes, Poland is paying evens (2.00) to deliver the opening win while the Greeks are giving some considerable value at 4.33.
The draw bet is at 3.20.
If you want to eliminate the option of that pesky draw, which nobody really likes, then explore the Asian handicap which sees Poland at -0.5 with a payout of 2.04 while Greece with the half goal lead to start is at 1.84.
If you are like me, you are very interested in seeing how Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski is going to perform. The 23 year-old is coming off a magnificent season where he potted 22 goals en route to leading Dortmund to the German double. He also scored last week against Andorra (his 14th in 42 caps) and will be heavily expected to deliver for the Poles in this competition.
To score anytime during the match, Lewandowski is paying 2.20. The odds increase should he score first or last (different bets) with odds for either at 5.50. Should he win ‘Man of the Match’, he will pay out a decent 7.00, certainly something to consider.
We all know the Greeks have been in this position before having shocked Euro 2004 hosts Portugal in the opener with a 2-1 win. But this is a different squad with a different mentality and instead of the dreadful ultra-defensive methods of Otto Rehhagel now gone, Greece has somewhat come alive under coach Fernando Santos who has employed a 4-3-3 system. Though still defensively sound, they have shown glimmers of a more free-flowing style which could lead to the total goals over 2.0 (2.14) should they counter soundly as they did during qualifying in which they went undefeated (7 wins, 3 draw).
I still very much prefer the under 2.0 at 1.74 given that only four of Poland’s last 17 matches have produced a total of three goals or more while Greece has only seen three of their last 15 produce that total. Not to mention Poland has not conceded a single goal in their last five matches.
Lastly, if you are looking at a Correct Score bet then consider a 1-0 Poland win which is paying 6.00.
Now, make sure you remember that with the huge interest and wagers taking place for the Euro, odds will change at any given moment so keep that in mind when your gut starts talking to you.
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