Euro 2008: Group C first round betting

World champions Italy start their campaign in the Group of Death against Holland at the bizarrely named Stade de Suisse Wankdorf at 7.45pm tonight knowing that there have been no shocks in the group matches so far and that the Dutch have not beaten them for 30 years.

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Italy under Roberto Donadoni have discovered a more attacking form of football - with Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi embodying this new go-forward attitude. Up front they have the formidable figure of Luca Toni whose form at Bayern Munich this season has seen him labelled as the best target man in world football and they are likely to call on the talents of veteran Allesandro del Piero off the bench to bamboozle a tiring Dutch defence.

Holland were less than impressive in attack during their qualifying campaign with just 15 goals in 12 games despite a forward line boasting Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneidjer. Marco van Basten's side have also been weak in defence with the ageing Andre Oojier and Mario Melchiot exposed - none more so when going 3-0 behind against Austria in a March friendly. Add to the mix the by now standard in-fighting in the camp - both Clarence Seedorf and Mark van Bommel have quit the international scene due to Van Basten's poor tactics - and you have a typical Dutch offering - on paper they are a match for anyone but in reality they are found wanting.

However there is hope for the Dutch. Van Basten has recently shown signs of adapting his side's tactics from the rigid 4-3-3 formation that he favours to fit in with his side's attacking qualities - allowing Van Nistelrooy space to do what he does at club level for Real Madrid. This was evident in the friendly against Austria when his side recovered to score four and win 4-3. Plus Italy lost their stalwart Fabio Cannavaro last week and are sweating on the fitness of Christian Panucci so Donadoni's side are weakened in defence with the coach reportedly unhappy with his revised pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli.

Given the strengths both teams have in attack and the apparent weakness in their defences a score draw looks the likely outcome - with 1-1 and 2-2 available at 11/2 and 17/2 respectively.

The other game in Group C sees an ageing France side take on Romania in Zurich at 5pm. Romania have been rocked by match-fixinmg allegations in their homeland which have seen Steaua Bucharest docked legue points. Steaua owner Gigi Becali has pledged £4m in bonuses if Romania make the quarter-final stages and a side with good, technical players in all positions would normally be a good bet to reach the knockout stages. However Group C reads like a line-up of semi-finalist for a major tournament and Romania have their work cut out from the outset.

France have a stunning array of world-class talent but question marks remain over their ability to play as a team and their coach Raymond Domenech's techniques. He is a bizarre figure known for selecting teams on astrological advice and for losing his authority to senior players as France reached the World Cup final two years ago.

Romania are awkward while France have a few new faces who will take time to settle. Expect a scrappy affair with few goals and while a 0-0 scoreline at 15/2 is the advice, back this up with the 8/15 on offer for under 2.5 goals.

Verdict: 2pts 1-1, 2-2 draw Italy v Holland @ 11/2 and 17/2; 2pts 0-0 draw France v Romania @ 15/2; 3pts under 2.5 goals @ 8/15          

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