Euro 2012, Group D, Monday, Donetsk, 5pm
ENGLAND have been friendless in the build-up to Euro 2012 and today we'll discover if we've been right to ignore Roy Hodgson's side.
Bookies are convinced a trophy win is out of reach and the likes of Ladbrokes and William Hill pushed them out to 16-1 pre-tournament – the biggest they've been in years.
They won't emulate the 1966 heroes but even reaching the last eight is a tall order from a Group D that features on-form France, co-hosts Ukraine and solid Sweden.
France are first up for Hodgson's boys and it will be a major test for a boss whose first thought is: “Let's not get beat”.
After a few barren years the French are on the up under Laurent Blanc and have top stars such as Karim Benzema, Franck Ribery, Sami Nasri and Olivier Giroud.
Real Madrid striker Benzema could be one of the stars of the show and is 6-1 at William Hill, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power to hit the opener and 23-10 at Paddy Power to net at any time.
Giroud is also a class act and will need to be watched closely but Hodgson won't have too many worries about his defence. His two matches in charge ended in 1-0 wins and a third pays 7-1 at unibet.
England are 2-1 with Ladbrokes to keep a clean sheet but I'm on France to nick a win in what looks is likely to be a cagey affair.
Blanc's boys are 6-4 (general) to pick up the points with England a best 2-1 at bet365 and BetVictor and the draw 11-5 with Betfred and BetVictor.
Danny Welbeck is tipped to start up front in the absence of banned Wayne Rooney and is 9-1 at Hills, Ladbrokes and
BetVictor to score first.
However, England are more likely to find a goal from Ashley Young or skipper Steven Gerrard. To net at any time it's Young (11-2, unibet) and Gerrard (6-1, unibet).
Most of the opening games have been closely-fought contests and this should be no different. I'll be on under 2.5 goals, no bigger than 8-15 at Ladbrokes, and if France win it could be 1-0 (6-1, Ladbrokes, BetVictor).
Joe Hart has been tagged by some as the world's No.1 keeper and if England are to have any chance he'll need to be as safe as houses. The Man City star is 14-1 at Ladbrokes to be named man of the match while Benzema is 7-1.
Recommendations
France
(6-4, general)
Benzema to score
(23-10, Paddy Power)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Looking forward to this one. Think we know how England will set up pretty much the same as two friendlies. As well as players u mentioned also cabaye and ben arfa are quality. Agree with u france should have enough but we’ve seen big teams very cagey first game and maybe both teams wont be too upset with a draw. France outright winner odds have tumbled without them kicking a ball so a good display and convincing win would see them move to clear third fave i think. Very hard to predict these opening games and second round games should be better with teams beat first game having to come out and go for a win.
Joe, you’re right on both accounts. Both teams might be happy with a draw and second games are easier to call. I just think France have enough quality in there to edge it but of course hodgson will try to stop them play. OK, I’m off to try out the excellent-looking Mar Hall golf course and will be back in plenty of time for the big kick-off.
How about Benzema to outscore Welbeck at 11/4 with Paddy Power Paul? Both players have 2 start and it looks like this will b the case.
Jonathan, the favourite is always the 0-0 draw and I worry about the possibility of a tie. I’d rather have Benzema to score.
I have done £10 ew singles and double on benzama and ibrahemavic. £204 profit since friday. Also £55 on france or draw at 8/11
staying clear of this game going to sit back and relax without worrying about my bets
Paul I’ve gone for Benzema man of the match at 7/1 as he is tipped in the racing post. I’ve also went for Benzema first goal dd hh.
Benzema to score first and France to win is 9/1 with William Hill.
SUPER SINGLE
France to win to nil 3/1 @ blue square
Benzema to score at anytime 23/10
Benzema to score two or more 17/1
Ribery to score at anytime 4/1
Ribery to score two or more 50/1
All with Paddy Power
Good luck with that tommy, I think it’s gonna be a tight game
Tommo that’s a good price for Benzema to score 2 goals. In fact it’s very good as your only getting 10/1 for double delight and 15/1 for hat trick heaven.
Hoing against the tide tonight… England 1-0 for me. I sternly believe on our day we have one of the best defences in the competition and I think well frustrate France tonight… Game on!
Tommo out to 18/1 only 7/1 with hills
Chris what is dd hh?
Joe, have you sent your selections for the Greece game yet.
BONKERS BET
Benzema to score in both halves 33/1 @ Sportingbet. Only 16/1 @ Skybet.
I had noticed Paddy Power’s prices for goalscorers was far greater than all the other bookies.
Joe Double delight and hat trick heaven. With. Betfred if you back a player to score first you win if he scores first. If he scores again at anytime of the match they will double the odds, if he scores again they will give you treble the odds. This is available for every euro 2012 game.
What you guys think about Gomez player of the tournament 20/1. I’m thinking about backing Iniesta at 12/1.
Chris, I don’t think Gomez will get it. Not flashy enough. Dzageov or Modric could be in the running if Russia or Croatia make the semis and Benzema if France go well.
Do you guys reckon it’s worth lumping £100 on Viktor Kassai to referee the euro 2012 final. He is fav at 3/1 cut from 5/1.
Chris, what nationality is he? Remember guys whose country’s team reached the latter stages are sent home.
SSN SOURCES
hart
johnson terry lescott cole
milner gerrard parker chamberlain
young
welbeck
Danny, only surprise there would be Chamberlain.
i agree Paul but the lad will want give a good account of himself and stake a claim for a starting place in the arsenal team, still think its an incredibly weak team just never no with them but avoiding any major bets
Danny, you should never have a bet if you are not sure. Plenty of these games look no bet but as a tipster I have to take a view on all of them. It’s a hard life.
also a very pleasing life if your tips come up more often than not which they tend to do
I’ve backed France DNB as my main bet and covered -1 and Benzema 1st goal with £20 each.
Noticed a pattern developing, I’ve won decent sums on all the 7.45 ko’s so far and the 5pms’s have provided 2 draws and a shock. Hope this trend doesn’t continue tonight…
France -1 is quite optimistic in what should be a tight game with England sitting in but 5/1 is too good a price not to take a small punt
Ok here’s my best. Some a bit of a longshot but this is the kinda thing you have to resort to before payday.
£10 on Ibrahomovic to score anytime and Sweden to win @ 8/1 with William Hill
£10 on Benzema man of the match @ 7/1 with Ladbrokes.
£10 on Benzema first Goalscorer @ 5/1 with Betfred dd hh.
£5 on Benzema to score in both halves @ 33/1 with Sportingbet.
£5 on France to be winning 1-0 at ht and 3-0 full time @ 66/1 with Sportingbet.
£5 on ht France ft England (just incase) @ 50/1 with Sportingbet.
Chris, good luck with them. Like your thinking on the last one. I’m still thinking of a little flutter on Hart for mom.
France/Sweden double
Benzema 1st goal
Imbrahimovic 1st goal
Benzema/imbrahimovic double
Can’t see past France at 6/4. I’ve bet them along with Benzema to score first at odds of 5/1 with Betfred who are offering double and treble the odds should he net more than once so fingers crossed on that score! Good luck everyone.
Just threw on a couple of outsiders. £5 on Scott Parker first goal @ 70/1 and £5 on Diarra first goal @ 90/1.
I’m on France to win 2-0 at 12/1.
Unless Scott parker can score a goal from his own half, then he has no chance! And I assume diarra is very much a similar player for France!
And the bookies continue to collect collect collect
Chris, not many on Lescott I’d imagine. France surely have to respond to this.
Possibly 100% profit for the bookies on first Goalscorer market. The euros have been horrible for punters so far. The bookies are raking it in big time. I really want to see them getting hammered.
Its maybe a good thing that I don’t get paid until fri as its showing me the type of poor results. England are such a bad team also. Get your finger out France!!
Maybe not, diarra goes forward for set pieces! Going to look out for him in goal scoring markets in future if that price is common for him!
Just backef france in play @ 5/1.
Joe, can you post your selections for Greece v Czech Rep here and I’ll get them on. I have Peter Ross’s predictions.
Benzema been quiet Paul. Cant watch the game can someone confirm at the end who man of the match was
Got that on jusy in time. France turning the screw now and game being played in england half. HT cant come quick enough for england!
I hope the game ends now at 1-1 haha so I can pick up the £25 for most tips correct in game. 3 out of five so far 63mins on clock….
Chico, well done, £25 on the board.
Who got man of the match
Chris, I don’t know but it wouldn’t be Benzema.
looks like it was nasri but england ratings not up yet
craig it looks like its nasri according to uefa website
craig it looks like its nasri according to uefa website