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Euro 2012 Betting Preview: Italy and France out for redemption in Group C & Group D
We take a look forward to the first set of matches in groups C and D for Euro 2012...
2 Sep 2010 10:12:00
By Patrick Reilly
Odds supplied by Titan Bet
Group C
Match Odds: Faroe Islands 21.89, Draw 7.38, Serbia 1.04
The Faroe Islands kicked off the Euro 2012 qualifiers with a thrilling late defeat by Estonia. Brian Kerr's team took the lead in the first half and only two goals in stoppage time prevented a dramatic win for the traditional minnows.
Dubbed as being 'away with the Faroes' Kerr has improved morale and standards with the team. Serbia are of course heavy favourites, but bear in mind the last two games between the teams weren't hidings and finished 2-0 to the Eastern Europeans.
* Serbia to win 2-0 @ 5.0 (small stake)
Match Odds: Estonia 8.28, Draw 4.09, Italy 1.29
A win is a must for Italy to get Cesare Prandelli's competitive debut off to a winner. Estonia saved their blushes to beat Faroe Islands last time out and are making optimistic noises about pulling off an upset.
"Surprises could happen," said coach Tarmo Ruutli.
Wishful thinking perhaps but Prandelli's new look squad should have enough to take home the three points. Bags of goals don't look likely with four of Estonia's five World Cup qualifiers at home going under 2.5 plus Italy's recent poor form in friendlies indicates a low scoring contest.
* Under 2.5 goals - 1.86
Deja vu for these teams who met in qualifying for World Cup 2010. Slovenia won the home match 2-0 and lost the return game in Belfast 1-0.
Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has named a young squad and their away form is awful. The only teams they have beaten on the road in recent years are Liechtenstein and San Marino who are hardly European heavyweights. Opponents Slovenia were unbeaten at home in World Cup qualification and conceded just a single goal in six games.
Slovenia are a safe bet at 1.66. You may say those aren't great odds but that's more than a 25 per cent return on your investment which is far better than a kick in the teeth. The home side with a -1 handicap is well priced also at 2.20.
Group D
Match Odds: Romania 1.21, Draw 4.73, Albania 9.82
The bookies fancy Romania to turn over Albania but it's the visitors who are in better form. Romania have lost four of the last five which is in start contrast to their visitors who have won their last four games 1-0.
Albania are sure to be out for revenge as the last time both teams met Romania won 6-1. The home team took just a single win at home in qualification for World Cup 2010 and that was against the Faroe Islands.
A tight game looks in the offing in Piatra Neamt.
* Under 2.5 goals @ 2.0
Match Odds: Luxembourg 14.27, Draw 5.71, Bosnia Herzegovina 1.12
Familiar makeweights Luxembourg are likely to be on the receiving end of a beating by Bosnia Herzegovina. Without a win since 2008, when they beat Switzerland, the home side leaked five in their last match against the mighty (!) Wales.
Bosnia Herzegovina were beaten by Portugal in a play off for World Cup 2010. Since then their form has tailed off, registering defeats against Sweden and Germany plus earning only a draw with Qatar.
Luxembourg will be without their captain Jeff Strasser and have named several youngsters in their squad. Bosnia Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko who continues to demonstrate his class in the Bundesliga in addition to other talents in their team.
* Bosnia Herzegovina to win both halves @ 2.25
Match Odds: France 1.27, Draw 4.31, Belarus 8.42
By Goal.com's Betting Blogger JD
Tip - Belarus +2 @ 1.50
"I'm happy to give Belarus a two goal head start against Laurent Blanc's new look France. This game will be closer than the bookmakers think who have France at 1.27 to win which means they are assessing this game on reputation rather than form.
"Belarus are a useful outfit who are technically very good. They will cause France problems and keep the ball very well. Belarus are unlikely to be scared of a trip to Paris. The only way you can lose this bet is if France win by two or more goals and I don't think they will."
.
Predictions and picks are informative and can't be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.
Group C
Match Odds: Faroe Islands 21.89, Draw 7.38, Serbia 1.04
The Faroe Islands kicked off the Euro 2012 qualifiers with a thrilling late defeat by Estonia. Brian Kerr's team took the lead in the first half and only two goals in stoppage time prevented a dramatic win for the traditional minnows.
Dubbed as being 'away with the Faroes' Kerr has improved morale and standards with the team. Serbia are of course heavy favourites, but bear in mind the last two games between the teams weren't hidings and finished 2-0 to the Eastern Europeans.
* Serbia to win 2-0 @ 5.0 (small stake)
Match Odds: Estonia 8.28, Draw 4.09, Italy 1.29
A win is a must for Italy to get Cesare Prandelli's competitive debut off to a winner. Estonia saved their blushes to beat Faroe Islands last time out and are making optimistic noises about pulling off an upset.
"Surprises could happen," said coach Tarmo Ruutli.
Wishful thinking perhaps but Prandelli's new look squad should have enough to take home the three points. Bags of goals don't look likely with four of Estonia's five World Cup qualifiers at home going under 2.5 plus Italy's recent poor form in friendlies indicates a low scoring contest.
* Under 2.5 goals - 1.86
Deja vu for these teams who met in qualifying for World Cup 2010. Slovenia won the home match 2-0 and lost the return game in Belfast 1-0.
Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has named a young squad and their away form is awful. The only teams they have beaten on the road in recent years are Liechtenstein and San Marino who are hardly European heavyweights. Opponents Slovenia were unbeaten at home in World Cup qualification and conceded just a single goal in six games.
Slovenia are a safe bet at 1.66. You may say those aren't great odds but that's more than a 25 per cent return on your investment which is far better than a kick in the teeth. The home side with a -1 handicap is well priced also at 2.20.
Group D
Match Odds: Romania 1.21, Draw 4.73, Albania 9.82
The bookies fancy Romania to turn over Albania but it's the visitors who are in better form. Romania have lost four of the last five which is in start contrast to their visitors who have won their last four games 1-0.
Albania are sure to be out for revenge as the last time both teams met Romania won 6-1. The home team took just a single win at home in qualification for World Cup 2010 and that was against the Faroe Islands.
A tight game looks in the offing in Piatra Neamt.
* Under 2.5 goals @ 2.0
Match Odds: Luxembourg 14.27, Draw 5.71, Bosnia Herzegovina 1.12
Familiar makeweights Luxembourg are likely to be on the receiving end of a beating by Bosnia Herzegovina. Without a win since 2008, when they beat Switzerland, the home side leaked five in their last match against the mighty (!) Wales.
Bosnia Herzegovina were beaten by Portugal in a play off for World Cup 2010. Since then their form has tailed off, registering defeats against Sweden and Germany plus earning only a draw with Qatar.
Luxembourg will be without their captain Jeff Strasser and have named several youngsters in their squad. Bosnia Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko who continues to demonstrate his class in the Bundesliga in addition to other talents in their team.
* Bosnia Herzegovina to win both halves @ 2.25
Match Odds: France 1.27, Draw 4.31, Belarus 8.42
By Goal.com's Betting Blogger JD
Tip - Belarus +2 @ 1.50
"I'm happy to give Belarus a two goal head start against Laurent Blanc's new look France. This game will be closer than the bookmakers think who have France at 1.27 to win which means they are assessing this game on reputation rather than form.
"Belarus are a useful outfit who are technically very good. They will cause France problems and keep the ball very well. Belarus are unlikely to be scared of a trip to Paris. The only way you can lose this bet is if France win by two or more goals and I don't think they will."
. Predictions and picks are informative and can't be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.
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