Euro 2012, Group C, Poznan, Sunday, 7.45pm
GROUP C is an interesting with Italy, Croatia and Republic of Ireland all targeting second place behind holders Spain.
Croatia and Ireland meet in Poznan and both will know the importance of win. Similarly neither will want to lose and this has the look of a draw about it.
Boss Slaven Bilic has some class acts in his squad but will they find enough goals to make a charge?
As for Ireland? They’ll be tough to beat as usual, they’ll struggle to score as usual but could they be surprise qualifiers?
Ireland did well to qualify for th first time in 24 years but that’s as far as it goes according to bookies.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side have been written off as 100-1 chances to win the tournament and are generally available at 1-5 to be knocked out in the group stage.
Ireland have a big player in Robbie Keane up front but questions have to be asked about his sharpness after spending most of the season with LA Galaxy.
Croatia are the 5-4 favourites at BetVictor to get off to a flier with the Irish as big as 14-5 at boylesports.
The stalemate pays 9-4 at boylesports and that could be the way to go in what is bound to be a cagey affair.
Everton’s Nikica Jelavic enjoyed an explosive end to the season at Everton but at international level he is yet to prove himself with just two goals in 19 appearances.
However, with Ivica Olic being ruled out of the tournament through injury, the former Rangers star could be handed a chance to show his worth.
Jelavic is 6-1 at Paddy Power and Ladbrokes to bag the opener while Keane is best bet for an Irish goal at 13-2 (various).
You can back Jelavic at 5-1 (various) to be his side’s top scorer. Like other games I’ve looked at early on it has a feel of an unders game and under 2.5 pays just 1-2 with bookies also taking that opinion.
Croatia scored more headers (seven) than anyone in qualifying and a headed opener for either side pays 7-2 (sportingbet). The Irish of course are also good at set-pieces and a strike direct from a free-kick to break the deadlock is 14-1 at sportingbet.
So far the games we expected to be good have been bad and the ones we thought would be entertaining have been poor. Both team scored against the odds in the Group A matches and both teams didn't net in the Group B encounters.
It's 5-4 with William Hill that both hit the target in Poznan and I can see it maybe ending in a 1-1 draw.
Recommendations
Draw
(9-4, boylesports)
Both teams to score
(5-4, William Hill
In December 2020 we sadly 
Under 1.5 for me in this one. Irealand are a hard team to break down, can see it ending 0-0 or 1-0 either way.
Paul can I ask why you are tipping the draw when you have previously topped Crostia to qualify? Do you not feel they need to win tonight? I know they could still qualify with 4 points assuming Spain win all their matches. Is that they way you see it going then?
Marc, Croatia can still qualify with a draw. As we’ve seen, particularly last night, the openers are often cagey affairs. Croatia have a bit more creativity than the Irish but I don’t think there will be much in it. I think a draw will keep both teams it and they’ll want to see what kind of shape Italy are in. For me Spain will win this group and Croatia can finish second but Italy and possible the Irish won’t be far behind. It’s a tough section and vital you don’t lose your first game.
not that ive saw the team taking mandzukic first and anytime pays 9/1 and 2/1 would have been jelavic if u didnt enlighten me about his awful record for croatia
Danny I’m on Mandzukic too first goal and Croatia single as my main bet. 9/1 is a good price for a forward
Won a bet on six Over 2.5s in Danish 2nd Division earlier – looking at it it’s a complete goalfest that league, and will defo get on it again. Get into the Scandonvian competitions once the UK season is over. Anyone else follow these? Also for Spain vs Italy with about 20 mins to go, I backed the draw at just under evens and also 1.5 Goals in Second Half at 4/1 – did it so if there were no goals no money would be lost overall but if there was a goal total stake would be doubled. Guess its like a Draw No Bet but it covers all 3 outcomes. This yield massive returns and unsure if those odds are common, but a zero risk bet is surely a winner!?
mandzukic first goal scorer
Srna to score at anytime 8/1 Paddy Power
Staying clear of any big bets on this as unsure what to expect. Jelavic first goal for an interest.
Manduzkic 1st goal 7/1…n fancy a 1-1 draw.
Great start for Manduzkic backers. Let’s hope for a great game now.
get in
get in my son yeehaa
How a about that lads? !!!! Result!
Lol great start lads!
dinomite nice tidy profit and weve got 2 goals before 20 minutes
CYOBIG¡!!!!!!
Turned out a top night both bets up in this game. Good profits on day 1 and 3. Very small profit yesterday. Quite happy with that
turned out very well indeed if im not mistaken i won the £25 challenge aswell as manduzkic
Danny, I’ll need to check all the entries then confirm the result.
only skimmed the entries quickly i could be wrong
Danny, you’re right, I’ve checked them. You had four out of five while three had three so well done. Can you email your address to mrfixit@dailyrecord.co.uk and I’ll send you £25 at the end of the tournament. Of course, it could be more if you win any of our other spot prizes.
well done those who had 1st g/s, was gunnin for ireland but was not to be.c’mon france tge mora and give me first decent bet of the euros, benzema/spain on the go too
what address do you want my paddy power username
Do you mean my home address i assumed it would have been free bet for online
Danny, never assume anything. All the players in the contest (of which of course you are not one) were told they’d be sent postal orders at the end of the tournament so in essence they are cash prizes. So yeah I need your home address.
no bother i have emailed it to you