Value to be had at Euro 2012
We are now just over a week away from kick-off at Euro 2012 and going into the tournament in Ukraine and Poland, the Spanish are favourites to make it 3 major titles on the bounce.
Vicente Del Bosque's men are priced around the 11/4 mark to lift the trophy, but I am steering clear of them this time around. After a long hard season for many of the nation's key players, and indeed 4 years with barely a break, I think fatigue may set in and they won't even make the final.
So if Spain aren't going to win it, who do I think will?
Well Germany are the second favourites and you clearly have to respect their chances. In their ranks they have some of the best players on the planet right now, with the likes of Mario Gomez and Bastian Schweinsteiger tipped to shine this summer. However, I am going to, like with Spain, steer clear of the Germans for the Euros for the simple reason that I don't feel the 3/1 on offer represents value considering the group they are in, alongside Holland, Portugal and Denmark.
One team who I just mentioned there was Holland and despite the fact they are in the Group of Death, Group B, I reckon they have enough to progress from that and then go on a bit of a run. The World Cup in 2010 proves that they are capable of making it into the latter stages of a major tournament and although they were narrowly beaten by Spain in the final, I think at 7/1 they are worth a few quid.
France are another side who I like. Les Blues are not fancied to do too much this time around, considering the youthfullness of their squad, but with the pressure off, I feel they may actually go all the way. They shouldn't have too many problems getting of Group D, alongside England, Ukraine and Sweden, and from there, who knows what may happen. The French are best priced 12/1.
In terms of a top goalscorer. Robin Van Persie goes into the Euros after a magnificent goalscoring season at Arsenal which saw him claim the Golden Boot in the Premier League and at 11/1, I would not put you off backing it. Another player I like in terms of the top goalscorer market is Poland's Robert Lewandowski. The 23-year old scored a terrific 30 goals for German Champions Dortmund this past season and at 25/1, he is worth a dabble.
My bet of the tournament is priced at just 11/10 I'm afraid. The bet is for their to be a hat-trick scored in the whole tournament. I really do fancy this, considering the amount of games played at the tournament and given the quality of striker which will be on show.
Feel free to leavr your tips in the section provided.