Euro 2012, Group A, Wroclaw, Friday, 7.45pm
RUSSIA could be one of the dark horses of the tournament and I expect them to ride away with three points against the Czech Republic.
Dick Advocaat's side have a nice balance with star turns such as Andrei Arshavin, Alan Dzagoev and Aleksandr Kerzhakov.
The one concern is a perceived lack of goals but Kerzhakov could answer some questions up front after hitting 23 for Zenit last season.
He's a player I like the look of and is 7-1 at Ladbrokes to score first and 12-5 at Betfred to net at any time.
Russia have been handed a favourable draw and are 7-5 with William Hill to top Group A.
They are a biggest 5-4 at BetVictor to win the game with the Czechs 3-1 at Paddy Power and a draw 9-4 (various).
I wasn't impressed with the dud Czechs side who limped through Scotland's qualifying group before a surprisingly easy play-off success against Montenegro.
Milan Baros is likely to lead the line on his own for the Czechs who will hope Thomas Rosicky can control the midfield. It's a tall order and I fancy the Russians who have kept six cleans in seven competitive games to blank the Czechs and make a perfect start.
Recommendations
Russia
(5-4 ,BetVictor)
Kerzhakov to score
(12-5, Betfred)
In December 2020 we sadly 
long shot group stage acca with 1 team a day most days,
france to win all 3 games
spain to win all 3 games
russia to beat czech rep and poland
germany and holland to beat denmark
50p for £158 back at lads
Getting the ball rolling with Russia tonight in the matches betting. Was all set to do the unders in the Poland Greece match but as soon as I seen the price I thought no chance.
My main bet this tournamnet is Germany to reach the semi’s at least.
I’ve also backed France to win group D, Holland/Germany dual f/c and Czech Rep/Denamrk (double) not to qualify with large stakes.
Goalscoring wise I have taken Silva top Spanish scorer and backed Benzema and Podolski with Ladbrokes £20 offer. Also backed a mixture of doubles and trebles on top team goalscorers.
Backed the four group favs with PP‘s MBS and also the same with other permutations inc Holland etc.
Placed 50 £1 straight f/c’s for all groups. Pay outs range from £300 – £1200, speculative bet in the hope of catchong something, also provides good interest. Also done a number of dual f/c’s.
Draw/russia ht/ft at 4/1 looks good to me. Could be a cagey first half then russia go for it. That’s what i hope anyway!
Sky’s Fantasy Football’s down and I can’t swop my captaincy to one of my Russian players!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just been in Ladbrokes to out on my bet for Russia game. Ladbrokes refunding first goalscorers if Arshavin scores first or last.
…..and then the site comes back up!
Nope….it’s not working again!!
same boat john, better be back up in next 20 mins lke, need to get arshavin ma captain but got russian goalie too. shockimg start wi a sending off but arshavi hat trick and clean sheet will set me on my way to glory haha
£10 Dzagoev first goalscorer @ 9/1 Betfair
£20 Dzagoev Anytime scorer @ 26/5 Betfair
£5 Russia to win 3-0 @ 33/1 Betfair
Dzagoev is a bright young spark in the Russian squad that is mainly built on experience, pops up all over the final third and ended up Russia’s joint top goalscorer in qualifying with four goals. Can see Russia maintaining their current good form from pre tournament tonight and winning group A comfortably.
Ive gone for russia -1. Also took russia and france dble to win groups @ 11/8 + 13/8.
poor show from skysports fantasy website, exact same happened at the start of premeirship and i pulled out of league as were playin for £££
U cnt change ur captain for every game u can only change at certain stages
Craig, for info. Sky Fantasy working on iPhone but not laptop for some reason. I got my captain changed from polish defender to Dzagoev.
couldnt get it on galxaxyII, russia not had the in 1st 10 mins
Feck off man can’t believe he hit the post!!! Maybe this is an early indication of the bad luck I’ll get through the euros. Had £20 on him at 7/1
Dzagoev anytime at 10/3 betfred 43.33. Lost 10 though kerzakhov first scorer. Was gna put dzagoev on first aswell but ah well a wins a win.
Couple of hundred up already badham! Nice 1 m8 :)
Russia looking superb going forward. Wee bit dodgy at the back possibly?
Russia to score 3 or more goals in play at evens. Still an hour to play. Get on it!!!
I had Dzgaoev first at 9/1 and got him top scorer at 100/1 ew. He missed that sitter also, he should get more chances with the space he is getting
I had lewandaski £10 ew at 9/2, £80 back, put £50 on russia at 7/5, so looking a good start, Could be £130 profit, well pleased.
Andy, it’s been an OK day, better if Kerzhakov had scored. But at the end of the day the most important call is the result and that’s two out of two on day one.
message for any Gomez fans for tmw, Hills online is 7/2 first goalscorer BUT Paddy power is 11/2 right now, massive difference.
Thanks Joe mate… Good start as wasn’t home in time for Poland… 3-0 would be lovely haha.
Am having some of that andy.
going to go big on holland game any reason why they are 5/4 to win the first half but only 4/6 for full game
Danny, because to win full game you only have to win one half out of two. But to win half you need to do it in 45 minutes. It will always be bigger for half-time betting.
makes sense Paul just to be on the safe side will take them to win full game
And Paddy will return all first/ last goalscorers if Portugal win!!!
kherzakov for man of the match anyone haha
He is also 11/2 with Stan James and vc. Very strange prices though as they have him anytime scorer as he is only 13/8. With a first scorer price of 11/2 you should be getting 15/8 for anytime
Chris, it’s usually about a quarter the odds for anytime scorer.
Nothing pisses me off more than waiting for a player to score last goal and he gets substituted. Dick Advocaat you are a Dick
Chris, just back and listened to the end of the game on the radio. They reckoned Kerzhakov had missed seven chances and would have played all night without scoring. At the end of the day that’s what subs are there for.
Dzgaoev again 100/1 ew looking ok
Thats good Craig but its unfortunate you didn’t shop around for best price. I got him ew at 250/1
Onlu joking mate. You have a good chance with that. Wonder if anyone got dd
Im not greedy, I’ll take any win. Also got him as my captain in Fantasy Football so a good start to the tourney so far.
chris guy, hows your boylesport 10k bet going, had mime on russia-1 now got 45k on holland -1.
Not a bad night in the end! lost 20 on Poland/Russia double, but then had got 115 back for 50 single on Russia! Now have 115 and a £50 free bet to play with! I’m thinking the 50 on Germany and holland to win tomorrow, pays 5/2. And having 100 of the 115 on Germany/Holland dual forecast! Leaving 15 left over! Opinions please!?! Could even have the free 50 bet on Germany and holland-1, which pays just under 5/1. Any thoughts, advice, opinions welcome…
Luke, I’m simply going with the Holland/Germany double and single on Germany. Might look at Holland -1 when I see the teams but don’t like the fact he might go without Huntelaar.
I’ve got a sneaky suspicion its a publicity stunt to make Denmark believe they’ll be facing a slightly different attacking line up to what they actually will be! Although, with or without huntelaar in starting 11, I’d like to think Holland would have enough to cover the handicap anyways! just not sure If Im confident enough!
Luke, I’m not sure about that but if he plays the lad Afellay it’s not a bad replacement.
Exactly! Either way, Holland should have too much fire power for the Danes!
I fancy Holland tomorrow but keep thinking defensive frailties may be their downfall. Interesting to read that Denmark have netted in 16 out of their last 18 games.
BTTS is 11/10 with BetFred
Dennis Rommedahl is 11/2 to score at anytime, also with BetFred.
Tommo, I read that stat today and it surprised me but the Danes have also lost their last three to the Dutch 3-0, 2-0 and 2-0.
I put £100 on the dual forecast! Still yet to decide whether to have Holland on handicap in double with Germany though! xill decide in morning!
I wouldn’t personally go -1 tonight Luke, from what I’m thinking it’ll be a nervous game and can see then nicking a late goal for a 1-0… Denmark in the group of death know they need something early on to stand a chance and they could be pretty repellent. Play it safer. Nor saying it won’t happen by all means go with your gut but it’s a major tournament and Denmark haven’t just come to be the spare team in there group.
Very good points you make there badham! As much as I can see it being 2-0 or 3-1 Holland, I can also see it being a tight match being won by the odd goal! I’ll play it safe and just go for both to win from scratch! Cheers guys!