Welcome to the preview of the first matches of Euro 2016 which takes place in France and perhaps fittingly France are favourites at $4.20 to win it all. Things won’t be as easy as it seems though as this tournament has produced shocks before such as the 2004 winners, Greece. This year it’s a wider competition too with 24 teams competing instead of 16 and plenty of arguments can be made for any number of nations to win it. The usual suspects such as Spain, Germany, and France will be up there but there are some exciting sides that we cannot discount too much. England are much maligned but they have an exciting young core for the future and could surprise a few though perhaps that lack of experience may count against them this year. Belgium are an interesting case as they are blessed with immense talent but have failed to deliver. You need only look at the Brazil World Cup where although they reached the Quarterfinals, they didn’t really convince. That experience could prove invaluable here though. Along with Italy and perhaps Portugal, they are the leading contenders but I wouldn’t limit the chances of the likes of Switzerland, Poland, or Croatia to push deep into this tournament.
**Odds from Sportsbet as at 9th June
Future Best Bets
Winner: France at $4.2, Next Best – Germany at $5.5
Top Goal Scorer: Best – Harry Kane – $11, Next Best – Thomas Muller – $8
11th June
Highlight Match
France ($1.3) versus Romania ($12), Draw ($5)
France open the tournament against Romania and will be eager to get off with a win. Anything else will increase the pressure given they have home ground advantage. Thankfully for France though, they are in good form leading into this winning their last 4 straight and look set to make it 5 against Romania here. Romania will be a tough side to break down though and will head into this with a fairly defensive mindset. They don’t usually concede a lot of goals but they also don’t really have the firepower to score a lot of goals. With France favourites and boasting what is a very balanced looking side, they should be able to breakthrough for the win. It will be very difficult for Romania to keep Payet & Griezmann quiet for 90 minutes.
Predicted score: France 2-0
Best Bet: France to score 2 or more goals at $1.53 (85%)
Next Best: Under 2.5 goals at $1.7
Remaining match:
Albania ($5) versus Switzerland ($1.8), Draw ($3.4)
Predicted score: Switzerland 2-0
Best Bet: Switzerland to win at $1.8 (80%)
Next Best: Switzerland to win to Nil at $2.5
12th June
Highlight Match
England ($1.91) versus Russia ($4.5), Draw ($3.3)
Another big tournament brings a sense of expectation for England though in years gone by it’s become a bit of a negative expectation on England to underperform. This time though there’s a sense of a fresh start. Plenty of young and exciting talent in this side that has also been playing pretty well in the lead-up to their first match against Russia. Defensively they still have some question marks but up front they boast plenty of attacking options and in this group they should score goals to build a solid foundation for the remainder of the tournament. Harry Kane is coming off another brilliant season in the EPL and he will be a threat. Add the pace of Vardy and the experience of Rooney and they’ll definitely create enough chances. Russia are an interesting first matchup here and haven’t been in the best of form in the build-up to this tournament. They’ve won just 1 of their last 4 games and I’m not sure they will have enough to keep this young and exciting English attack quiet.
Predicted score: England 2-1
Best Bet: England to win at $1.91 (80%)
Next Best: Half-Time Draw at $1.91
Remaining Matches
Wales ($2.75) versus Slovakia ($2.75), Draw ($3.1)
Predicted score: 1-1
Best Bet: Wales Draw No Bet at $1.87 (75%)
Next Best: Bale to score anytime at $2.4
Turkey ($3.9) versus Croatia ($2.05), Draw ($3.4)
Predicted score: Croatia 2-1
Best Bet: Both teams to score – Yes at $2 (75%)
Next Best: Croatia to win at $2.05
13th June
Highlight Matches
Germany ($1.61) versus Ukraine ($6), Draw ($4)
One of the favourites to take out the overall prize, Germany, don’t have an easy first up task against Ukraine. There’s no doubting the overall well roundedness and strength of Germany. You need only look through their list of players and realise how deep their options go. And with that you’d expect them to control the game but that’s where opportunities will present themselves for Ukraine. They have great pace on the break through Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko which will give them a chance to put Germany under pressure. It should make for a good spectacle but it’s difficult to see the World Cup winners of 2014 losing out in the end. Expect a tough game throughout but also expect Germany to come through for the 3 points.
Predicted score: Germany 2-1
Best Bet: Germany to win at $1.61 (85%)
Next Best: Over 2.5 goals at $1.91
Remaining Matches
Poland ($1.61) versus Northern Ireland ($6.5), Draw ($3.75)
Predicted score: Poland 3-1
Best Bet: Poland to win at $1.61 (90%)
Next Best: Lewandowski to score anytime at $1.83
Spain ($1.5) versus Czech Republic ($7.5), Draw ($4.2)
Predicted score: Spain 2-0
Best Bet: Spain to win at $1.5 (85%)
Next Best: Spain to lead at Half-Time at $2
Goal scorer option: Morata to score anytime at $1.91
14th June
Highlight Match
Belgium ($2.5) versus Italy ($3.25), Draw ($3)
At this early stage this is one of the more anticipated contests. Belgium are an exciting and extremely talented side with stars all over the pitch whilst for Italy they are still a strong side but look a little short on absolute star quality. The last time these two sides met was back in November and Belgium came out comfortable winners 3-1 after coming from behind. I’m doubtful we’ll see a similar score in this first match. Both will be keen not to give too much away in their efforts to top the group but with Italy less potent up front they may end up being a little more defensive given the attacking threats that the Belgians possess. This might be one that’s separated by a solitary goal but I expect that goal to come from Belgium. The exploits of Hazard and De Bruyne alongside Lukaku up front might be just too much for Italy in this first match.
Predicted score: Belgium 1-0
Best Bet: Belgium Draw No Bet at $1.67 (85%)
Next Best: Belgium to win either half at $1.82
Ireland ($3.4) versus Sweden ($2.45), Draw ($3)
Predicted score: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Half-time Draw at $1.83 (70%)
Next Best: Both teams to score – Yes at $2.2
15th June
Highlight Match
Portugal ($1.57) versus Iceland ($7.5), Draw ($3.7)
A Ronaldo led Portugal have been blessed with one of the easier groups at this year’s Euro. They kick things off against Iceland and whilst they’ll expect to win, Iceland shouldn’t be underestimated. For a country of their size, Iceland punch well above their weight and have some very good players that can cause Portugal problems. Gylfi Sigurdsson in particular will be one to watch given his ability from set-pieces as well as when he gets space in the box. Iceland won’t die wondering and with that they’ll have their chances here. The difficulty though is predicting how Portugal will perform. Over the years they’ve been fairly inconsistent with a lot of the responsibility resting on Ronaldo’s shoulders naturally. If they can build some consistency in the group stages here and win the group though, that confidence could take them anywhere with Ronaldo leading the charge. They still have a good amount of quality across the pitch and not just because of Ronaldo but their general talent, Portugal will win this first match.
Predicted score: Portugal 2-1
Best Bet: Portugal to win at $1.57 (85%)
Next Best: Ronaldo to score anytime at $1.72
Remaining Matches
Austria ($1.72) versus Hungary ($5.7), Draw ($3.5)
Predicted score: Austria 1-0
Best Bet: Austria to win at $1.72 (80%)
Next Best: Half-Time Draw at $1.91
