Friendly form has affected Spain's odds, Netherlands have a strikers issue while Italy can gamble with everybody - Goal.com's betting editors on Euro 2012
Our locally-based experts have inspected the odds as they cast a forward glance to next summer's showpiece tournament in Poland and Ukraine
2 Dec 2011 14:40:00
Getty Images
Odds supplied by bet365
Spain are bidding to make history by becoming the first side ever to retain the European Championships.
La Roja finished the qualifying round having won all of their matches, but made lot of mistakes in their friendly clashes against Argentina, England and Italy. These results have prompted the bookies to reduce the odds on an outright Spain win.
Bet365 are offering 3.50 on another Spanish triumph, which is slightly lower than that offered on Germany at 4.0, who are expected to challenge the holders again.
The standard will be high at the Euros and Vincent del Bosque has commented: "There is no easy teams in this tournament and many of the rivals hope to be champions," so Spain cannot expect to have everything their own way.
Spain demonstrated in the World Cup their great ability and have beaten rivals when it mattered in their last two meetings. A repeat of the World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands has odds of 17.00 while the Spain-Germany repeat of Euro 2008 is priced at 9.0.
Bert van Marwijk is getting increasingly cranky about this question: who is the first-choice striker for the Dutch team?
Most of the time Van Marwijk answers with Robin van Persie, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar can also reasonably expect a spot in the starting XI. One well-known bookie is offering a bet on which striker will start in the first Euro 2012 match for Oranje.
The most likely, according to the traders, is that both players will start for the Dutch at 4/1. Van Persie is also capable of playing as a left- or right-winger and due to the fitness of Arjen Robben (or, better said, the lack thereof), the Arsenal captain often starts together with Huntelaar.
Another option is that Huntelaar could start on the bench in the opening match at 1.45. If Huntelaar wins the competition and Van Persie is left out of the starting line-up the bookies are offering 8/1. If Van Marwijk surprises by choosing neither one of them, you'll get a lucrative 30/1.
Italian football's bad boy, Mario Balotelli, stands an 80 per cent chance of making the Azzurri squad. Super Mario may even start ,considering the issues currently affecting Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi.
The story of football in Italy tells us that anything can happen. They reached the World Cup final in 1994 and were dumped out at the group stage of Euro 96. In other words, Italy could go all the way or make an embarrassing exit.
Current boss Cesare Prandelli isn't afraid of anyone against whom his squad could come up in Poland/Ukraine, insisting, "Italy can gamble with everybody." A winning punt on Italy to lift the trophy is 12/1 (13.0) and worthy of your attention.
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet of up to £200!
| Enrique Guerrero/Goal.com Spain betting writer Spain outright odds: 5/2 (3.50) |
Spain are bidding to make history by becoming the first side ever to retain the European Championships. La Roja finished the qualifying round having won all of their matches, but made lot of mistakes in their friendly clashes against Argentina, England and Italy. These results have prompted the bookies to reduce the odds on an outright Spain win.
Bet365 are offering 3.50 on another Spanish triumph, which is slightly lower than that offered on Germany at 4.0, who are expected to challenge the holders again.
The standard will be high at the Euros and Vincent del Bosque has commented: "There is no easy teams in this tournament and many of the rivals hope to be champions," so Spain cannot expect to have everything their own way. Spain demonstrated in the World Cup their great ability and have beaten rivals when it mattered in their last two meetings. A repeat of the World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands has odds of 17.00 while the Spain-Germany repeat of Euro 2008 is priced at 9.0.
| Floris Koekenbier/Goal.com Netherlands betting expert Netherlands outright odds: 13/2 (7.50) |
Bert van Marwijk is getting increasingly cranky about this question: who is the first-choice striker for the Dutch team?
Most of the time Van Marwijk answers with Robin van Persie, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar can also reasonably expect a spot in the starting XI. One well-known bookie is offering a bet on which striker will start in the first Euro 2012 match for Oranje.
The most likely, according to the traders, is that both players will start for the Dutch at 4/1. Van Persie is also capable of playing as a left- or right-winger and due to the fitness of Arjen Robben (or, better said, the lack thereof), the Arsenal captain often starts together with Huntelaar.Another option is that Huntelaar could start on the bench in the opening match at 1.45. If Huntelaar wins the competition and Van Persie is left out of the starting line-up the bookies are offering 8/1. If Van Marwijk surprises by choosing neither one of them, you'll get a lucrative 30/1.
| Marco Avena/Goal.com Italy betting editor Italy Outright Odds: 12/1 (13.0) |
Italian football's bad boy, Mario Balotelli, stands an 80 per cent chance of making the Azzurri squad. Super Mario may even start ,considering the issues currently affecting Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi.The story of football in Italy tells us that anything can happen. They reached the World Cup final in 1994 and were dumped out at the group stage of Euro 96. In other words, Italy could go all the way or make an embarrassing exit.
Current boss Cesare Prandelli isn't afraid of anyone against whom his squad could come up in Poland/Ukraine, insisting, "Italy can gamble with everybody." A winning punt on Italy to lift the trophy is 12/1 (13.0) and worthy of your attention.
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet of up to £200!
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
Poll: Who should have replaced Cahill in the England squad?
Martin Kelly has replaced Cahill in the Three Lions squad going to Poland and Ukraine, but would Rio Ferdinand or Micah Richards have been more deserving?
-
Cartoon: Terry & Cahill add to England's injury concerns
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
