Euro 2012 Betting Preview: Netherlands, Sweden and new look Greece highlights of Group E & Group F
We take a look forward to the first set of matches in groups E and F for Euro 2012...
2 Sep 2010 10:50:00
By Patrick Reilly
Odds supplied by Titan Bet
Group E
Match Odds: Moldova 3.32, Draw 3.02, Finland 2.00
A tough group comprising of the Netherlands, Sweden along with Hungary and San Marino makes this opener crucial for both teams. Finland's English coach Stuart Baxter, who was linked with the Fulham job in the summer, has urged his team to focus on this match and not to get distracted by the Netherlands clash a few days later.
Realistically, the Moldovan game is Finland's best chance to put some early points on the board. The hosts failed to win any of their home matches in World Cup qualifying losing against Latvia, Israel and Switzerland.
Finland are an emerging force and were the better side in their 1-0 friendly win over Belgium recently. At even money they are worth backing to rack up three points.
Match Odds: Sweden 1.32, Draw 3.98, Hungary 7.69
New Milan signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns from his self-imposed international exile to kick start Erik Hamren's new regime. Sweden dispatched of Scotland with ease last month and a happy Ibra along with fellow striker Ola Toivonen should make Hungary easy meat in this opener.
The Magyars also have a new manager in charge with Sandor Egervari and his team took a shock lead last time out against England before eventually losing 2-1. Another defeat looks likely at the Rasunda Stadion with the form favouring Sverige who won the two recent World Cup qualifiers by the same 2-1 scoreline. Over 2.5 goals looks the runner here @ 1.86.
Clearly nobody is going to buying rounds of champagne backing the Dutch who are redder than the infamous district in Amsterdam to win. Minnows San Marino have lost every game since their rare win over Liechtenstein in 2004 and have failed to score in the last eight matches where they have shipped 42 goals.
Ruud van Nistelrooy returns for the Netherlands for the first time since 2008 and Oranje will be out to make somebody pay after losing the World Cup final in July. Trouble is in store for San Marino.
* San Marino (+4) 2.62
Match Odds: Israel 1.02, Draw 8.06, Malta 27.51 - Thursday September 2nd
Along with the opening Spain and Russia games this match has among the shortest odds of any qualifier out there. Israel are heavy favourites for Luis Fernandez's first match in charge, with the country on a high after Hapoel Tel Aviv qualified for the Champions League.
Israel have been struggling in front of goal scoring just the once in the past four games. Malta are traditionally the whipping boys of any group but showed grit to earn a 1-1 draw against Macedonia in their last friendly game.
The sides most recently met in a Euro 2004 qualifier which finished 2-2 in Antalya.
* Israel (-2) @ 1.75
Match Odds: Latvia 5.31, Draw 3.47, Croatia 1.51
After impressing in Euro 2008 Croatia missed out on the World Cup. Playing Latvia is not the canter bookmakers may suspect as the home team are unbeaten in their last five competitive matches in Riga.
Since being hammered by England 5-1, Slaven Bilic's Croats have gone on an eight game unbeaten run. The former defender has been instilling his style on the team as they've conceded just once in their previous six games.
Bilic and co should come away with the win but this doesn't scream a goal feast.
* Under 2.5 goals - 1.75
Match Odds: Greece 1.33, Draw 3.90, Georgia 7.73
King Otto Rehhagel has departed and memories of Euro 2004 are fast fading. Greece's new coach Fernando Santos remained true to Otto's mantra in a cagey 1-0 win over Serbia in his debut match in charge where defence continued to reign supreme.
His opposite number Temuri Ketstbaia is familiar with Greek football having enjoyed a successful stint with AEK Athens as a player. He has his work cut out to turn around Georgia's dreadful record on the road (W8 D2) from the last ten. It's doubtful whether Greece have changed their spots completely and turned into Brazil 1970 just yet. Under 2.5 in Piraues is priced at 1.61.
* Greece to win 1-0 @ 4.75 (small stake)
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Predictions and picks are informative and can't be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.
Group E
Match Odds: Moldova 3.32, Draw 3.02, Finland 2.00
A tough group comprising of the Netherlands, Sweden along with Hungary and San Marino makes this opener crucial for both teams. Finland's English coach Stuart Baxter, who was linked with the Fulham job in the summer, has urged his team to focus on this match and not to get distracted by the Netherlands clash a few days later.
Realistically, the Moldovan game is Finland's best chance to put some early points on the board. The hosts failed to win any of their home matches in World Cup qualifying losing against Latvia, Israel and Switzerland.
Finland are an emerging force and were the better side in their 1-0 friendly win over Belgium recently. At even money they are worth backing to rack up three points.
Match Odds: Sweden 1.32, Draw 3.98, Hungary 7.69
New Milan signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns from his self-imposed international exile to kick start Erik Hamren's new regime. Sweden dispatched of Scotland with ease last month and a happy Ibra along with fellow striker Ola Toivonen should make Hungary easy meat in this opener.
The Magyars also have a new manager in charge with Sandor Egervari and his team took a shock lead last time out against England before eventually losing 2-1. Another defeat looks likely at the Rasunda Stadion with the form favouring Sverige who won the two recent World Cup qualifiers by the same 2-1 scoreline. Over 2.5 goals looks the runner here @ 1.86.
Clearly nobody is going to buying rounds of champagne backing the Dutch who are redder than the infamous district in Amsterdam to win. Minnows San Marino have lost every game since their rare win over Liechtenstein in 2004 and have failed to score in the last eight matches where they have shipped 42 goals.
Ruud van Nistelrooy returns for the Netherlands for the first time since 2008 and Oranje will be out to make somebody pay after losing the World Cup final in July. Trouble is in store for San Marino.
* San Marino (+4) 2.62
Match Odds: Israel 1.02, Draw 8.06, Malta 27.51 - Thursday September 2nd
Along with the opening Spain and Russia games this match has among the shortest odds of any qualifier out there. Israel are heavy favourites for Luis Fernandez's first match in charge, with the country on a high after Hapoel Tel Aviv qualified for the Champions League.
Israel have been struggling in front of goal scoring just the once in the past four games. Malta are traditionally the whipping boys of any group but showed grit to earn a 1-1 draw against Macedonia in their last friendly game.
The sides most recently met in a Euro 2004 qualifier which finished 2-2 in Antalya.
* Israel (-2) @ 1.75
Match Odds: Latvia 5.31, Draw 3.47, Croatia 1.51
After impressing in Euro 2008 Croatia missed out on the World Cup. Playing Latvia is not the canter bookmakers may suspect as the home team are unbeaten in their last five competitive matches in Riga.
Since being hammered by England 5-1, Slaven Bilic's Croats have gone on an eight game unbeaten run. The former defender has been instilling his style on the team as they've conceded just once in their previous six games.
Bilic and co should come away with the win but this doesn't scream a goal feast.
* Under 2.5 goals - 1.75
Match Odds: Greece 1.33, Draw 3.90, Georgia 7.73
King Otto Rehhagel has departed and memories of Euro 2004 are fast fading. Greece's new coach Fernando Santos remained true to Otto's mantra in a cagey 1-0 win over Serbia in his debut match in charge where defence continued to reign supreme.
His opposite number Temuri Ketstbaia is familiar with Greek football having enjoyed a successful stint with AEK Athens as a player. He has his work cut out to turn around Georgia's dreadful record on the road (W8 D2) from the last ten. It's doubtful whether Greece have changed their spots completely and turned into Brazil 1970 just yet. Under 2.5 in Piraues is priced at 1.61.
* Greece to win 1-0 @ 4.75 (small stake)
. 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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