IT's crunch time at Euro 2024 with the final round of group games about to take place. So let's explore the best matches to place HT-FT bets on, using key trends and recent results to beat the bookies.
Why the Euro 2024 HT-FT betting market is worth exploring?
It can be hard finding value in the group stage of major tournaments with most of the bigger nations usually heavy favourites against the lesser lights in their section. We've only seen a few shocks so far and it's now all about getting the job done in the final group games. But betting on the HT-FT markets can often boost the odds in games where's there's a clear favourite.
While tipping a heavy favourite to be winning at half-time and full-time probably still won't get you much above evens, you can get decent odds if the team you fancy is only a slight favourite.
Backing a team to win after a level first-half usually gets you a good price and the odds are even bigger if you can pick a team likely to turn things around after going in behind at the break.
So there's lots of value to be found if you can dig deep and find some patterns that suggest teams are fast or slow starters.
Which Euro 2024 games could be of interest here?
Croatia v Italy
Group B always looked like being the most competitive before a ball was kicked and it has certainly lived up to its billing so far.
Albania were written off before a ball was kicked as they went up against big guns Italy, Croatia and Spain but they have put up a great fight so far.
A late leveller against the Croatians has kept their hopes alive going into the final and that has left one of the big boys facing a group stage exit.
With Italy losing to Spain they probably need a point to go through while Croatia need to go all out for the win.
That should make it a tense 90 minutes and I fancy the score to be level at half-time with one of the teams pinching a win at the death. With Croatia pushing forward the Italians could hit them with a sucker punch and backing the Azzurri to win after a level first half pays 9/2 at Betfred.
Germany v Switzerland
Hosts Germany can relax a little going into the final game after sealing a spot in the last 16 already. But they would surrender top spot in Group A if they lose to the Swiss so I'd imagine Julian Nagelsmann will send his side out to attack as usual.
The Germans have been winning at half-time and full-time in both of their games so far and that makes the same bet appealing here.
If Nagelsmann does decide to mix things up a bit then the players coming in will be desperate to press their case for a starting slot in the knockout stages. That makes me think Germany will make a fast start and backing them to be winning at half-time and full-time pays 8/5.
Denmark v Serbia
Group C is wide open heading into the final round of fixtures with all four of the teams standing a chance of booking their place in the last 16.
A draw might be enough to secure second spot for the Denmark when they face Serbia but only if England defeat Slovenia and you wouldn't trust Gareth Southgate's men on the evidence of their two performances so far.
So I'd imagine Kasper Hjulmand's side will go for a win and the Serbs have no option but to attack as only three points would take them through.
It's another game that should be tense and close so the half-time draw appeals again. Denmark have impressed me more than Serbia so far and backing them to win after a level first half pays 9/2.
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
