Archive for June 6th, 2008
Despite being reigning European champions, Greece are nowhere to be seen among the favourites in the Euro 2008 betting market at PinnacleSports.com. The Greeks were surprise winners four years ago in Portugal, and no team in the history of the competition has successfully defended the trophy. History therefore suggests another name will be on the new Henri Delaunay trophy come June 29th.
Spain Aim for Positive Start Against Resurgent Russians
Euro 2008 Group D is the last to get underway, with Spain kicking-off against Russia on Tuesday at 6pm GMT. The Spaniards are often hyped as potential winners ahead of international tournaments, but regularly disappoint their backers. They began the World Cup strongly, with three victories and eight goals, but were then punished 3-1 by a tactically superior French side. Spain retain their potential but will still have to convince bettors they can be trusted.
Russia appear at Euro 2008 looking to improve upon a very poor record at major tournaments since the break up of the Soviet Union. At two World Cups and two European Championships since 1994, Russia have never progressed past the first round. There has, however, been seismic changes in Russian soccer, illustrated by Zenit St.Petersburg’s UEFA Cup win, and the management of Guus Hiddink. Unfortunately for Russia there is a major concern over striker, Pavel Pogrebnyak, and PinnacleSports.com price Spain favourites on their Asian Handicap 1.877 (-0.5 & -1)* with Russia 2.050 (+0.5 & +1)* – a market priced to less than 102%.
Greeks Kick Off Defence Against Sweden
Greece begin the defence of their European crown in Salzburg on Tuesday night at 8.45pm (GMT) but though there is no real pressure on them to repeat the heroics of four years ago. They won at Euro 2004 on merit, but were helped by the way the tournament panned out. Certainly, their recent 0-0 draw with Armenia will have worried coach, Otto Rehhagel, but the backbone of the successful team remains from Euro 2004, which was so solid defensively.
Sweden come into the tournament looking to do more than just make up the numbers, which has so often been the case. The return to fitness of striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is a big boost, but he has often flopped on the big stage, while the return to international soccer of Henrik Larsson (aged 36), after two aborted retirements doesn’t inspire confidence. Sweden are usually solid but unimaginative, and this came could be a war of attrition, with both desperate to avoid defeat rather go for the win. PinnacleSports.com price Sweden marginal favourites 1.752 (0/scratch)* and Greece 2.230 (0/scratch)*, but are also offering three-way markets for the game priced to just 103%.
*All odds subject change so check out the latest across the top rated sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com >> Live Euro2008 Odds.
June 6th, 2008
Having generated many column inches of Euro 2008 betting analysis the so called Group of Death finally gets underway on Monday (June 9th) as Italy, Holland, France and Romania battle for the two available qualification places. Euro 2008 Group C is without doubt the hardest to call from a betting perspective.
Cannavaro Injury a Huge Blow For Italy
World Champions and Group C favourites, Italy, got off to the worst possible start at Euro 2008. Without even starting a game, captain Fabio Cannavaro, their immensely experienced defender, capped 116 times, has been ruled out of the event after tearing ankle ligaments in training. The Azzurri have drafted in defender, Alessandro Gamberini, from Fiorentina, but will struggle to fill the void by the ever reliable Cannavaro. Italy, priced 2.670* with PinnacleSports.com to win Group C, kick off their Euro 2008 campaign against the Netherlands on Monday night (8.45pm GMT).
With an uncanny similarity to Cannavaro’s bad luck, Holland’s Ryan Babel has been also been ruled out of Euro 2008 after suffering an ankle injury in training. The Liverpool winger’s absence won’t perhaps be as big a blow to the Oranje as that suffered by Italy, but he did feature in 11 of their 12 qualifiers. The Netherlands’ squad possesses undoubted talent, but coach, Marco Van Basten has the difficult task of deploying that in a winning formation, with an historical expectation for an attacking 4-3-3 system that doesn’t fit well in the modern game. PinnacleSports.com price Italy 1.763 (0/scratch)* with Holland 2.210 (0/scratch)* – a Euro 2008 Asian Handicap priced to less than 102%.
France Without Viera For Opener Against Romania
France’s captain, Patrick Viera, is definitely out for their opening fixture against Romania on June 9th, and is touch and go to participate at all. Viera has had an injury marred season at Inter Milan, so there must be questions about his general fitness levels. The French can however cope with his absence, with a hugely talented squad that are perhaps a little under-estimated by PinnacleSports.com’s priced 9.400* in a Euro 2008 betting market priced to 105%. Les Bleus begin their campaign against Romania in Zurich, looking to emulate their success in lifting the trophy in 2000.
Excitement in Romania is reaching fever pitch as the national team has qualified for the first major international football event since Euro 2000. It has taken that long for a new generation of Romanian players to step out of the shadow of the Golden Generation spear-headed by Gheorghe Hagi. Cristian Chivu and Adrian Mutu are survivors from the team that reached the knock-out stages eight years ago from a tough group, but this assignment is even harder. The Tricolorii must get something out of this opening fixture but PinnacleSports.com price France favourites 1.870 (-0.5)* with Romania 2.060 (+0.5)* in their match-betting, while the Romanians are 12.240* long shots to top Group C.
*All odds subject change so check out the latest across the op rated sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com >> Live Euro2008 Odds.
>>For more on this top Handicap sportsbook, read the PinnacleSports Bookmaker Review.
June 6th, 2008
The wait is almost over, and the serious business of Euro 2008 betting is about to begin. Co-hosts Austria kicks off their Euro 2008 on Sunday at 6pm (GMT) against Dark Horses, Croatia.
Austrians Need Boost from Host Status
As co-hosts of Euro 2008 Austria should be expected to produce a better showing than their basic form suggests. The Austrians are ranked a lowly 101 on FIFA’s World table of soccer nations, below such luminaries as Syria, Ethiopia and Bahrain, while their opening opponents – Croatia – are rated 88 places higher by FIFA as the World’s 13th best side. That would suggest a serious mis-match in the opening game, but the Euro 2008 betting at top Handicap sportsbook, PinnacleSports.com, suggests a much closer game.
PinnacleSports.com make Croatia marginal favourites on the Euro 2008 Asian Handicap priced 1.980 (-0.5)* with Austria 1.943 (+0.5)* – a Euro 2008 betting market priced to less than 102%. The recent records of major international tournaments emphatically demonstrates that hosts punch above their weight. Germany surprised many by reaching the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup; Portugal made the Euro 2004 Final, while one of the biggest shocks was Korea reaching a World Cup semi-final in 2002. The Austrians would however, cause something of a shock were to win their section priced 18.840* in the Euro 2008 Group A betting at PinnacleSports.com.
Germans Kick-off as Tournament Favourites Against Poland
Germany carry the burden of expectation as Euro 2008 betting favourites going into their opening game of the tournament on Sunday night (8.45pm GMT) against Poland. PinnacleSports.com price the Germans 5.110* favourites in an outright market priced to less than 105%, but their first game will be a real test. The history of these neighbouring countries will forever be linked with WWII, while several of the German side are originally from Poland i.e. Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Tim Borowski and Piotr Trochowski. The sides met in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup when the German hosts left it until the 91st minute to score the only goal of the game.
Poland’s eccentric goal-keeper, Artur Boruc, was almost unbeatable, and he will again be needed on his best form to keep out a German side boasting Miroslav Klose, Golden Boot winner at the last two World Cups. Poland were impressive in qualification winning their eight team section ahead of Portugal and Serbia. Since gaining their place at Euro 2008 however, Leo Beenkakker’s side have produced some indifferent results. The Poles lost 3-0 at home to the USA, then drew with Macedonia and Denmark, in between beating Alabania 1-0. Performances usually change in the competitive environment of the tournament, but Poland’s confidence might not be particularly high ahead of their opening game. PinnacleSports.com price Germany favourites 1.893 (-1)* with Poland 2.040 (+1)* – an Asian Handicap giving 60% better odds than traditional bookmakers.
*All odds subject change so check out the latest across the op rated sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com >> Live Euro2008 Odds.
June 6th, 2008
The wait is almost over, and the serious business of Euro 2008 betting is about to begin. The first of 31 games in the Euro 2008 tournament kicks off on Saturday at 6pm (GMT) with the Swiss co-hosts looking to make a positive start against the Czech Republic.
Swiss Should Be Lifted By Host Status
As co-hosts of Euro 2008 Switzerland should be expected to produce a better showing than their basic form suggests. The Swiss are ranked 48 on FIFA’s World table of soccer nations, below such luminaries as Mali, Moldova and Honduras, while their opening opponents – the Czech Republic – are rated by FIFA as the World’s sixth best side. That would suggest a serious mis-match in the opening game, but the Euro 2008 betting at leading online sportsbook, PinnacleSports.com, suggests otherwise.
PinnacleSports.com make the Czech’s marginal favourites 1.935 (0/scratch)* with Switzerland 1.990 (0/scratch)* – a Euro 2008 betting market priced to less than 102%. The recent records of major international tournaments emphatically demonstrates that hosts punch above their weight. Germany surprised many by reaching the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup; Portugal made the Euro 2004 Final, while one of the biggest shocks was Korea reaching a World Cup semi-final in 2002. Don’t bet against the trend continuing for the Swiss, who are priced 4.540* to top Euro 2008 Group A at PinnacleSports.com.
Portugal Looking to Gobble Up Turkey
Portugal are favourites on PinnacleSports.com’s Group A Euro 2008 betting market priced 2.290*, so Big Phil Scolari’s team should be expected to beat Turkey in their opening game, who are least favoured to win Group A, priced 8.710* in the Euro 2008 betting. The Portuguese were finalists on home turf four years ago, and though long-time totem, Luis Figo, has retired, they have a new superstar in Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester United scored 42 goals for his club this season, and notched eight in qualification, so will certainly carry the greatest threat.
If Turkey can neutralise Ronaldo’s threat, this could be an evenly matched game. The Turks have plenty of technically gifted players such as Newcastle’s Emre, with the potential to emulate the 2002 World Cup semi-final. However, they are equally capable of imploding, so bettors must decide which Turkey side will turn up. PinnacleSports.com make Portugal favourites for the second game of Euro 2008 1.769 (-0.5)* with Turkey 2.200 (+0.5)*, with live in-running betting available throughout the game priced to just 103%.
*All odds subject change so check out the latest across the op rated sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com>> Live Euro2008 Odds.
>>For more on this top Handicap sportsbook, read the June PinnacleSports Bookmaker Review.
June 6th, 2008