Euro 2012, Group A, Tuesday, Wroclaw, 5pm
IT'S the start of the second-round matches – traditionally the turning points for punters who have a better idea what to expect after seeing every time in action.
However, barring one or two games Euro 2012 has been a bit of a sparring contest so far with the leading nations in particular feeling each other out.
Greece and Czech Rep were two sides who failed to win their openers and are therefore under pressure to take three points from their second outing.
In general both sides disappointed on day one but the Greeks did well to rescue a point from a game in which they trailed with 10 men.
Hero of the hour was supersub Dimitriois Salpingdis and he's likely to keep his place. He is 11-1 at BetVictor and sportingbet to hit the opener and 9-2 at sportingbet to score.
Celtic star Georgios Samaras, who had a bit of a shocker against Poland, is 2-1 to hit one into the crowd. Only joking! Sammy is 4-1 with the likes of Paddy Power to give the SPL it's first (and probably only) goal of Euro 2000. There is a chance he'll be pushed into a more central forward role after struggling on the wing in the opener.
Greece's fighting spirit was so impressive I'm taking them to edge a disappointing Czech side who hardly threatened the Russia goal.
The Greeks are a biggest 23-10 at bet365 while you can have 6-4 with Stan James on the Czechs with the draw 12-5 with the same firm.
At worst it looks a draw for Greece who are 13-10 with bodog draw no bet.
The Czech were overpowered by the Russian but at least scored so look at both to hit the target at x-x.
Recommendations
Salpingdis to score
(9-2, sportingbet)
Greece draw no bet
(13-10, bodog)
Both teams to score
(11-10, Ladbrokes)
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Hi Paul, will you be doing a thread on the US Open?
Neil, if I get time I might. Have had a look into it and from what I can see it’s going to take a top, top player to beat that course. It’s going to need a great short game and accuracy from the tee. So I’m on Luke Donald to collect his first Major and I’ll be seeing if there are any good value each-way bets. Jim Furyk might have the game for this one and I seen a couple of tips for former winner Graeme McDowell. I fancy an Aussie to be in the top six but can’t choose which one. Jason Day is obviously in my thoughts as is Adam Scott. What are you thinking? I might do a wee £25 US Open challenge up if there’s an interest.
Donald’s definitely due a Major but in the last 9 years only one player has won the US Open while ranked number 1, & that was Tiger in 2008.
I’ll be looking at e/w bets in Dustin Johnson & Hunter Mahan, who are both big hitters & are currently on form. Jason Day has recovered from injury & has a decent record in majors with a couple of Top 5 finishes so could be in there with a shout.
Neil, you have to remember that the world No.1 spot hardly changed over those 9 years. But recently it’s been changing every couple of weeks so I don’t think that stat will concern Donald. It’s pretty wide open as usual but if the course is as punishing as they say and they’re looking for a winning score at around even par then Donald’s my man.
I’m thinking another draw here for greece, they only started to play when they went behind but dont know if the czechs can break them down, goin for 0-0 and 1-1 and hoping its 0-0 eith the 2 papadopolous’ in defence for fantasy team, dunno if avraam pap has recovered yet tho. also on russia tonight -1
Craig, with Russia to come for the Greeks I don’t think a draw will suit either side, although obviously better for the Greeks than the Czechs.
betfred enhanced over 2.5 gls from 5/4 to 2/1for those interested
Craig, I’m a little interested. A lot of games that have looked unders on paper have gone over and this is one of them.
i know, its the big names that have been unders and last night looked like both teams had few gls in them. dont know where the gls will come from today but will put fiver on it just for the price.
Craig, I know Poland are basically the home side but I really like the price on Russia and hope they live up to the hype. The evening game to me should produce over 2.5 goals.
Russia/Greece double for me tonight and am giving kerzakhov another chance if he starts crazy I kno! Lol
Peter, you’ve got to think it was just a bad night for Kerzakhov as he has a good scoring record last season. But definitely make sure he’s starting because he might not.
Yeah I’ll wait n c Paul got a feeling he might be benched but he’s a good scorer on his day
Anyone ever opened a setantabet acc for their matching £20 offer, was there any problems???
Craig, I’ve never tried it, tend to stay with our betting partners.
Definitely interested in the golf challenge, Paul. I am sure many others would be too as there was a good response to your competition to pick 3 players in The Masters
Bruce, I’ve been told by admin there will be a golf contest put up similar to the one we ran for the Masters.
£20 on russia @1.4
£3 czech/greece draw
£1 on 1-1 and no gl scorer
will get free £20 single tomorrow if all goes to plan and that will go on ronaldo 1st gl if russia win
Bet365 czech -0.5 1st half asian market.
2.750 £50 returns 87.50 and a think ur 50quid stake ont top of that.
Think its worth a look.
greece are pash. more fighting by the russians too according to reports, dont know the history but can see a dirty game tonight and red card
Craig, 400 years of bad blood apparently. Good piece in the Record’s Euro 2012 pullout today about it. Maybe worth a look at a red card to go with all of those red shirts.