WITH the second round of games set to take place at Euro 2024, 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. And it hasn't been a tournament of shocks so far with big guns Germany, England, Spain and the Netherlands all getting off the mark with wins.
But one way to boost the odds is to have a flutter in the Euro 2024 HT-FT betting market. While tipping a heavy favourites to be winning at half-time and full-time probably still won't get you 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 decent 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 at major tournaments.
Which Euro 2024 games could be of interest here?
Spain v Italy
Spain were superb in their Group B opener against Croatia and had the points in the bag by half-time after racing into a 3-0 lead.
Italy got off to the worst possible start in their clash with Albania, conceding inside the first minute, but rallied to claim a 2-1 win.
On the evidence of those games, I'd expect the Spaniards to come out with all three points here, although a draw wouldn't be a disaster for either side as it would pretty much send both sides through.
I don't think Luis de la Fuente is the kind of coach who'd settle for a point though so there could be value backing Spain to be winning at half-time and full-time, which pays 13/5.
Slovenia v Serbia
This is a local derby as two sides from the former Yugoslavia face off in what could be a pivotal clash in Group C.
Serbia need a win after losing to England while Slovenia can seal qualification with a victory after drawing with the Danes in their opener.
The Slovenians played it cagey in that match and only had a go in the closing stages, despite trailing to a Christian Eriksen goal. That makes me think they could be defensive once more in this one.
Serbia look the stronger side on paper so I'm going for them to win after a level first half, which pays 15/4.
Poland v Austria
Poland ran the Dutch close in their Group D opener and only ended up losing 2-1 thanks to a late Wout Weghorst goal.
But that didn't really tell the full story of the game and they could have lost four or five goals had the Dutch shown more composure in front of goal.
Austria scored six in one of their warm-up games against Turkey and Ralf Rangnick has them playing some nice stuff.
I can see Rangnick's men winning this one and backing Austria to be leading at half-time and full-time pays 12/5.
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.
