THEY call them friendly internationals but they are only friendly for the bookies.
Yesterday there were several shocks involving sides such as Germany, Portugal and Holland and it's why I always urge caution when talking up these type of fixtures.
There aren't too many games today but one that's possibly worth a look is Mexico v Wales in New York (8.05pm).
Mexico can be a class act on their day and they face a Welsh outfit without the likes of Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Neal Eardley and David Vaughan.
Keeper Wayne Hennessey is also out and will be replaced by Aberdeen's Jason Brown.
It's a tough test for the Welsh and I'll be on Mexico at 4-7 at Coral. Man Utd's Javier Hernandez is top-scorer favourite but the man to look at is the new Hernandez, Oribe Peralta. The Santos Lugana star has netted 14 goals in 13 games and is 5-1 (various) to net the opener, 6-4 (Paddy Power) to score at any time.
France go into the Euro 2012 finals in good heart and warm up with a meeting against Iceland in Valenciennes (8pm). There should be chances for several fringe men but the French are no bigger than 1-5 with William Hill. At that price try them at 1-2 with Paddy Power minus one.
Star striker Karim Benzema is unlikely to start so consider Olivier Giroud for first goal. The Montpellier ace will be on a high after helping his side to the French title and is 4-1 at bet365 and Paddy Power to score first, 10-11 at Paddy Power any time.
Recommendations
Peralta to score
(6-4, Paddy Power)
Mexico/France -1 double
In December 2020 we sadly 
Ive backed cheltenham today @ 2/1 my last serious bet till euros. Also took btts in play off, mexico to win and france -1 treble after reading this. Good luck all :)
unfriendly international.lol…i love how you phrased that,mate
Lost 20 on hudersfiel en stuck 40 on england 5/4 now looking at mexico
Paul to continue our discussion on dark horses from the previous post, I agree Russia are defensive minded but it’s about playing to their strengths. 7 clean sheets in qualification highlights this and they do have arguably the best keeper at the tournament in Igor Akinfeev if he is fit. They do lack creativity in the final third but will pin their hopes on the exciting Alan Dzagoev who could potentially be one of the stars of the tournament. I won’t be backing them however as they will likely drop out at the quarter final stage.
One team who I have backed though are Portugal widely available at 20/1. If they can get through the Group of Death they will almost certainly make the semis at least, making a mockery of their starting price. A lot of folk have sniped they are not as good as their golden generation side but that’s obvious and lazy punditry. How many sides could produce another generation of players of the quality of Figo, Rui Costa et al? My main concern is they are one top quality centre forward away from being a top side. It’s a very usual situation whereby they have a selection of the best wingers on the planet and nothing great through the middle. Postiga and Almeida aren’t good enough in my opinion. What would they do for a young Nuno Gomes?! If they stuck Ronaldo through the middle and Nani and/or Quaresma out wide they could easily spring a surprise. I think they are very solid from Patrico in goal to the Real duo of Pepe and Coentrao and the top notch Bruno Alves at the back. Their midfield is also littered with technically very good players.
Marc, I agree with you about Portugal. If they get out that group they could go on to win it. If you take out Germany and Spain there are several contenders and I’ll be focusing on Euro 2012 from the start of next week. Russia could surprise a few folk but they won’t be exciting to watch.
Im all over Mexico tonight. Put simply, Mexico are better than USA and Wales are worse than us! The conditions will also hugely favour Mexico as most of their squad play in North America unlike this mornings match where most of the US players play in Europe and it wasnt though to give them a huge advantage over us. And we all saw what happened there…
France will win but I’m staying clear. Dont like backing the French on the handicaps as I’ve seen them beat worse sides than Iceland by only a small margin in recent times. -1 should be ok though.
Marc, I’ve got a few bets on Mexico, can’t see anything else but a convincing win.
Paul what’s your early thoughts on the top goalscorer market? Anything tasty jumping out at you?
Marc, I’ve had a look at the market but no final decision as yet. Gomez is the favourite but his display in the Champions League Final put me off him. Van Persie will be there or thereabouts if Holland go far and I also like Huntelaar each-way. If Portugal are going to get out that group Ronaldo has to produce while France’s main man is expected to be Benzema. I’d consider Lewandowski ew for anyone who fancied Poland to get through the first round.
I did Germany to win the Euro’s other week but was going through the group betting and think France @ 12/1 may make the final 6/1 your doe if each way 1/2 the odds Laurent Blanc after losing the 1st Euro Qualiflier they went 18 games undefeated 12 wins beat England ,Brazil,Ukraine,Poland and Germany plus a few other teams along with 6 draws must be in with a shout a new era in FFF.
Totally agree Malcolm. In my head the two shorties Germany and Spain are correctly favs. Looking at the middle of the market it’s got to be France or Portugal and for a proper outsider Croatia look good.
I’ve already placed my bets. Almost all have been slashed as well. There’s no point waiting, these friendlies ain’t going to tell us much and just put doubt in your head. I’ve just to have a right good liok at the group forecasts/ duals to see which bookies offer best odds for my multiple combos
You’ve mentioned my two : ) think the market is too unpredictable to go too big, I see it as one of the more fun markets. I’ve gone for Benzema at 20s now 16s as he’s had a good season and in a group where the French should score a few. I’m also on Huntelaar who many will mistakenly overlook for RVP. Huntelaar scored double RVP is qualification, admittedly with the help of San Marino but if he starts then will pose a real threat.
I also looked at Lewandowski but came to the conclusion its frittering money away. Dont fancy Poland to score many but he will be their main threat especially after a great season and his performance in the cup final against Munich was outstanding.
I fancy the germans strongly. Forget the friendlies the germans turn up at the big tournies just look at the last world cup where they were written off pre tourney but were beaten by spain in a tight game in the semis. The likes of ozil and muller who were unknowns are now much bettet players and pidolski is proven at this level. I think
*I think the germans will take revenge on spain if and when they meet them and they have the indian sign over dutch in these tournies.
Tonight ive got a wee punt on mexico -1 doubled with france -2. Also went single on french -2 as feel they will maybe want to send out a wee message to other euro contenders who didnt fare so well last night.
Joe, so far that’s as an unfriendly international as they get with Iceland 1-0 up. Hope the French get a move on.
2-0 iceland. I will learn one day about betting on these games.
what do france think they are doing to my coupan
Danny, French got there in the end if you did the straight win and Mexico 2-0 after a bit of a struggle.