Euro 2008 Betting Preview – Group A Opening Fixtures
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.
Entry Filed under: Bookie News & Bonuses,European Football,Sports Betting
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