Euro 2012, Group B, Saturday, Lviv, 7.45pm
I'VE tipped Germany to win the tournament at a best 10-3 with Coral so it's natural I'm on them to beat Portugal in their Group of Death opener tonight.
After 16 years without tournament success the pressure will be Joachim Low's men to deliver and they will have to start on the front foot.
This could potentially be a cracker with the side that wins knowing they will be in a great position to reach the last eight.
Germany are a biggest 23-20 at Paddy Power although I know it won't be easy.
Low's side started slowly at the 2010 World Cup before taking the event by storm and were unlucky not to run out winners.
They remain supreme entertainers but the way they play could lead to Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani doing some damage.
Best bet here could be over 2.5 goals and I was surprised to see bet365 offer 21-20.
Germany banged in 34 goals in qualifying and 78 per cent of their matches went over 2.5.
Both teams to score is another market that should be explored here and you can have 4-5 with William Hill and bet365.
Portugal, tournament winners in some people's eyes, are generally available at 10-3 to win tonight with the draw paying 13-5 at BetVictor.
Ronaldo is regarded as the second best player on the planet behind Lionel Messi so by definition is the most talented star on show in the finals.
He will be hoping to get his tournament off to a flier and is 6-1 at Paddy Power and Ladbrokes to score first and 2-1 with Ladbrokes and Betfred to net at any time. Nani is 12-1 (various) and 5-1 (Ladbrokes, Betfred) respectively.
Normally when you look at Germany you focus on Mario Gomez for first goal and he is the Golden Boot favourite at 9-1 with BetVictor and Paddy Power after a super season with Bayern Munich.
However, he looked stale and out of touch in the Champions League Final defeat to Chelsea so I'd baulk at backing him for first goal at 5-1 with Paddy Power.
Thomas Muller broke the deadlock in the Champions League and might be worth a look at 8-1 at Paddy Power and Ladbrokes.
Recommendations
Germany
(23-20, Paddy Power)
Over 2.5 goals
(21-20, bet365)
Both teams to score
(4-5, William Hill, bet365)
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.
In December 2020 we sadly 
This is the game im most looking forward to. Ive now invested a lot in germany lifting the trophy so hoping they win. Not really looking for fireworks would like to see a nice solid start and then grow into the tourney. I heard portugal have real defensive problems with carvallhio and another player feigning injury to get out of being picked for squad?? Either way lots of attacking talent on display so lets hope second day was as good as first. Best opening day to a tourney in a long time!
Joe, probably a boost that Carvalho’s not there. Reckon he’s past his best. Like you looking forward to the game and hopefully Germany will give their backers something to cheer.
Just to let everyone know, you can now get 23/20 on Germany, and 8/11 Holland on Paddy Power. Might not seem like a big difference, but its an extra £10 back per £50 placed on the double!
Luke, just about to update site with some of the better prices. 23-20 much better than evens, must be seeing some cash on Portugal.
Paul i see you are tipping both teams to score might stick this on and try get another 3 in there for the 10/1 on offer with betfred. Wasnt there sumeone on hear the other day that placed all opening games on as goals galore? Off to a good start anyways
BTTS accumulator is hard to get up during opening round of matches at a tournament as most games tend to be quite edgy, although even the Greece/Poland game was much more open than I expected! Looking at the remaining 6 fixtures in first set of matches, only this game and the Sweden/Ukraine game stick out as good chances of BTTS. If having to choice a third match, Id probably go with Ireland/Croatia match! I don’t see Denmark, Italy or England scoring in their opening matches.
I know luke goals galore is hard and I would never have thought both would have came up yesterday. Betfred coupon gives you every game of the group stages to bet on. So I think the 10/1 is good value but I havent checked odds at other bookmakers.
I personally would look at placing the 4-fold on teams 2nd or 3rd matches, and maybe not put the bet on until after first set of matches are complete so you have a better idea of how teams are playing, set up etc
Seen an intersting one yesterday as a wee fun bet. Italy to score no goals in tourney @ 33/1. Think england were 40’s.
Joe, I don’t think Italy will score many but pretty sure they’ll score. In a bit of a crisis but still have some decent attackers. England will struggle to score without Rooney and I’d also worry a bit about the Irish but in the Euros where there are no minnows essentially, unlike the World Cup, it’s rare for a team not to score any.
I think Sweden v Ukraine and Sweden v England r both good bets for btts. Sweden score a lot of goals but their defence is pretty weak.
Goals galore my thinkin so far:
Germany portugal
Sweden ukraine as been mentioned by a few
Holland germany
I feel denmark could have a goal in them tonight!
I’d give those 3 a good chance too Mcgart! Greece Czech rep game is another I’d have on my list.
Was going to mention them luke greece looked good second half and czech had a good spell at 2 1 I thought they mite have got another. Glad they never right enuf as i had 25 win on russia also got the 25 back as a free bet with an offer i recived through post from ladbrokes.
Denmark v Portugal is also a good bet for btts. Denmark have a surprisingly good record against Portugal in recent times but I would still fancy Portugal 2 take a goal off them
Could be another good btts jonathan. We should ALL try get a good few btts ideas out there before germany game kicks off tonight and have a good look at the betting on offer.
Yeah think I’ll take your advice Paul and go £20 on Muller first goal at 8/1 with Ladbrokes which will be refunded if Ronaldo scores first or last.
Dont know with the btts. U can make a case for and against every game going. With the international games theres a clash of styles thats hard to predict. Not many predicted goals last night but they came. In saying that i hope u guys get ur bets up and hammer the bookies!! Good luck :)
Joe, btts always has a chance. As you say not many would have backed a btts double last night so hopefully both teams will be on the ball tonight.
r u sure that germany will win today ?>?
It’s a prediction not a guarantee. There are no sure things in football betting.
minus1 for holland and germany today. 7to4 and 12to5. Nice wee double today! Portugal defence is a nitemare!
Double for today :
Holland to win both halfs
Germany to win both halfs
£5 on for £157
Germany/holland double
Germany/holland/Spain treble
Podolski 1st goal!
Good luck all
i just cant see bye holland and germany ….on double and both to win 3-0 for a nice wee cheeky bet
Just went into will hill. Portugal to win and Ronaldo to score anytime 10/1.
Germany will win no slip ups from them too good 3-1 i think.
Nani amd ronaldo are great players but germans more quality thru whole team and i think that will tell in the end. My russia germany spain treble still goin and gonna take germans -1 also.
Chris guy. Put that on online ronaldo and portugal to win. 10/1 heres hoping. Dutch game cost me quite a bit.
Chris guy. Put that on online ronaldo and portugal to win. 10/1 heres hoping. Dutch game cost me quite a bit.
Chris, my only bet on the Dutch was van Persie but I’ve got fairly high stakes on Germany so need them to be in the mood.
Bookies are winning after that dutch result!!!
Podolski 1st goal for me….Gd luck
Ok guys here is a question. Do any of you have a particular shop you bet in that you have never won a bet in before. There are two bookies close to me Ladbrokes and betfred and I never ever win if I place a bet with them, however if I drive an extra 5 mind there is another Ladbrokes shop which I win from regularly. It’s as though it’s a gplete jinx.
Chris, I know a few folk who have a “favourite” shop. I quite often walk the dog to my local shops in Milngavie which has a Hills and a Ladbrokes but I know I’ve picked up all my best wins at Hardgate Cross which is about a 10-minute drive away. So in the past I’ve put my lines on in there because they feel luckier shops. it’s pretty daft though.
Germany look like they don’t know what to do with the ball. They need to step it up a gear
What was odds on 0 0 this game?
McGart, surely it won’t be 0-0. It’s been a strange start coz the Friday games were good when predicted to be dull and vice versa tonight.
McGart, I have your opponent’s predictions so if you could post yours here before kick-off that would be great.
Don’t know about you guys but I’m starting to fall asleep watching the game.
This game reminds me of Bayern Munich Chelsea final. Portugal sitting behind the ball and Germany getting frustrated
Only good thing drinking beer to keep me awake. Germany can only get better i hope :)
Come on Muller. 1-0 will do nicely as I’ll pick up first and last
Hope not but from the 20th min i just felt this is the first 0 0 of euro 2012 who would have thought it
Bookies loving this
Not any more. Needed that goal very badly.
Wtf that guy just slapped him with a closed fist lmao
Damn should have went with Gomez
Andy waite i could kiss u for pointing out 11/2 for gomez on paddy power last night! Chi-ching
Joe, I had my doubts about Gomez and he was pretty poor apart from his goal. Portugal giving it a go now but hope Germany hold on.
Solid enough start from germany paul. Todays results will see them as big favourites to win group. If they do they play runner up in group b so big faves for semis. I know im getting a bit ahead here but its been a good day for german backers.
Joe, you are spot on. I always thought it would be key to win this group and avoid a likely quarter-final with Russia. A meeting against probably Poland or Greece would be much more acceptable for the Germans.
Not a great day for me, lost the 50 free bet on the double, and the 100 dual forecast not looking all too promising now! I can see Holland ending up with 4 points, along with Denmark or Portugal, hopefully Holland will have the best GD if comes to that! Got bit of money back on Germany single, and will put all returns on Spain. My group winners has got off to good start though, and although early days, my enhanced 6/1 on Germany outright has got off to perfect possible start!
Luke, I think the Germany result saved a load of people (me included). Holland can still recover but they need escape the shackles and play with a bit more freedom. Made a few chances today but didn’t really look like scoring.
just checked argentina brazil score haha messi hat-trick in a 4-3 win, forgot it was even on wi the euro games on tv. wulda been some game and 2 sent off
Craig, had it for a both teams to score in the Record today and it was a mental game. All-out attacking and a couple of red cards.
No probs joe, thot 11/2 was a good price. He did nothing but score but it pays up lol. Have had 3 bets so far, all up, £193 profit in 2 days. Next bet £10 e/w on jelavic at 6/1 tmw for croatia. Going to leave the spain game out.
Andy, that’s good going. Holland ended my 100 per cent record on results but I’d be happy with 75 per cent right through the tournament.
What looked a complete disaster turned out ok in the end. Backed Germany to keep a clean sheet at 17/10 and Gomez 11/2 both in play after 15 mins and made a small profit at the end of the day as I also had Germany single. Cant believe holland took down 2 lines though.
Should really have watched Argentina Brazil and the Messi show. That’s how to overshadow a tournament. The euros seem rubbish now… Bloody defensive minded Europeans!
Marc, Argentina looking good for World Cup as long as they don’t appoint some madman as manager.
Yeah I agree Paul, with any luck they will go with huntelaar starting against Germany! But they know they can’t afford to lose, whereas a draw could be enough to help them through so long as beat Portugal in third game! Very interesting group now! Group of death always lives up to its name!