Usually when we go into a European Championship we have four groups to look at but this year there are six which should mean more betting potential so in this preview we will look at the Euro2016 group betting markets in a little more detail.
Group A
This group contains France, Romania, Albania and Switzerland.
I think this is a fairly straight forward group in many ways but the trouble with that is it doesn’t really equate for betting potential. I’m confident France will win the group and I’m pretty sure Albania will finish bottom of it. If there is anything to be decided it is who will run France the closest.
I’ve a sneaky feeling it might be Romania. Romania had the best defensive record in qualifying which could stand for something and if they can beat Switzerland when the two meet it could be them finishing runners up. 11/4 tempts me but not enough.
Group B
This is the group all English eyes will be on as England are joined by Russia, Wales and Slovakia.
Again the top of this group looks quite obvious to me. I expect England to win the group and the bookmakers do. The rest of it is quite interesting though because it wouldn’t surprise me which order it finishes in. I can make a case for Wales to finish bottom, I can make a case for Russia to finish bottom and there is a case for Slovakia to finish bottom too.
Too many cases but not enough judgements for my liking so I’m going to swerve this group too from a betting point of view I think.
Group C
Northern Ireland offer home based attention in this group. They have the daunting task of facing Germany as well as Poland and Ukraine.
I don’t think there is any doubt Germany will qualify from this group and they will probably do it as the group winners but as I mentioned in my outright preview I don’t think it is a certainty that Poland finish second to their arch rivals. I fancy Ukraine to go well but having backed them outright I’ve no need to go in on this group.
Group D
Spain, Croatia, Turkey and the Czech Republic are the quartet who make up this group.
I think this group will be a group of two halves. Spain and Croatia can fight it out for top spot while Turkey and Czech Republic can do battle for the wooden spoon or the third placed spot which could yield qualification into the next round.
I’m not sure I can pick between Spain and Croatia in the group itself and that makes Croatia value at the 7/2 mark. I think this group will come down to the result between the two but Spain do have slip ups in them as we saw in their defeat to Georgia leading into the tournament.
I also think there is decent value in Czech Republic to finish bottom. Quite simply they are the worst side in the group for me. I think Spain and Croatia are on another level and I think Turkey are much better than them too so the 96 finalists can go out much earlier on this occasion.
Group E
One of the tighter groups this as Belgium face Italy, Republic of Ireland and Sweden.
You can make a case for all four sides in this group which makes for an exciting group but I’ve a feeling Italy will come through here. We know their prowess in the big tournaments and with Antonio Conte leaving at the end of the tournament they have a perfect incentive to deliver a strong showing here.
I’m not a believer in the Belgium hype I have to say. While they still have many of the golden generation left with the exception of Kevin de Bruyne I thought their star men were in better form 2-3 years ago than they are now and that is a huge concern. Sweden and Ireland are dark horses and while they can put up a case to qualify I think winning the group is beyond them. I like Italy here.
Group F
Finally we have Austria, Portugal, Iceland and Hungary in what looks probably the most level group of the lot.
I say it looks level that is in terms of there not being a giant like Spain, Germany, France or Italy in the group but for me Austria and Portugal are head and shoulders above the other two sides and I expect that to play out in the results.
I would imagine the group winner will be decided when Austria and Portugal meet but the best way to play this group isn’t to choose the winner of that match it is to play the two in a dual forecast where if they are first and second in any order we win. That way if they draw we don’t have to worry about goal difference messing us around. At odds against it looks a great bet.
Tips
WON – Back Croatia to win Group D for a 2/10 stake at 4.50 with William Hill
Back them here:
WON – Back Czech Republic to finish bottom of Group D for a 3/10 stake at 2.35 with Winner Sports
Back them here:
WON – Back Italy to win Group E for a 3/10 stake at 2.88 with Betfred
Back them here:
Back Austria/Portugal Group F Dual Forecast for a 4/10 stake at 2.25 with Coral
Back them here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016
