Euro 2008 Matchday 2 Betting

Austria Croatia Austria are, statistically, the least likely team to win the tournament by a big margin. Currently sitting around 210/1. Austria has never been in the European championship before and they didn't even really qualify. If a player is looking to stake a claim for the golden boot, his best chance to get the ball rolling is against the Austrians. Emanuel Pogatetz from Boro is probably the only name I recognize and a close analysis of their strike rate during qualification is indicative of a team without a real goal-threat. I simply do not see where the goals are going to come from. I am backing Austria to crash out of the tournament goalless. Click here for a free £200 to bet on Euro 2008 with Canbet Croatia are a well-managed side with the chain-smoking Slaven Bilic having proved an adept tactician. Granted, Croatia are without Eduardo, their chief goal-threat and second highest scorer during the qualification rounds. The go-to-guy to watch is Luka Modric. Expect him to be the nucleus from which Croatian attacks are launched. He has already signed a lucrative deal with Spurs and will be looking to prove his mettle against some of Europe's finest. I see Modric factoring hitting the score sheet. Darijo Srna will also be a thorn in Austria's side. Shutting down these two will be paramount if Austria are going to pull off a miracle draw. Crotia's defence isn't the greatest, but I can't see the Austrians being able to get forward enough to test them. Croatia are comfortable on the big stage (just ask Steve McLaren) and I'm backing them to win either 2-0 or 3-0. I can see Austria's nerves getting to them. They will likely concede a penalty and I can't see their keeper saving it. Totesport has Croatia to score from a penalty at 11/2. Verdict: Croatia 2-0 is listed at a juicy 9/1 on Canbet. An additional Crotian goal doubles it up to 18/1. I consider that good odds considering the 15th ranked side in the world is up against the 92nd. I would back Croatia at 2-0 and 3-0. This one could be a barn-burner. Modric to score anytime at 6/1 with Paddy Power. Croatia to score from a penalty at 11/2. Germany Poland Poland have the highest scoring player from the qualifying stages on their team. David Healy from Northern Ireland didn't qualify, while Eduardo's leg almost came clean off. Ebi Smolarek will be shouldering a lot of weight for the Poles and his success will determine whether the Poles qualify or not. Germany operates without a true defensive midfielder and I am genuinely unsure whether Per Mertesacker can handle Smolarek. Keep in mind that Poland put in some solid performances during the qualifying phases of the campaign with a 2-1 win over the Portuguese showcasing the fact that the Poles shouldn't be taken lightly. If the Polish rearguard can shackle the blitzkrieg from Miroslav Klose, and one of either Lucas Podolski or Mario Gomez, they may be able to snatch a famous draw. Canbet has a 1-1 draw paying 9/1. If you're looking to back the tournament favorites to get off to a strong start (and let's face it, many are) then tracking down solid odds on a plausible correct score scenario can be a slightly difficult task. Many of the more probable results (Deutschland 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1) are all paying out in the neighborhood of 6.5/1. That's solid value right there and I'm tempted to bet the street, aka throwing a punt on each of the three results. Throw an equal amount on each of those three results and you will more than double your money. If Germany play Mario Gomez up front from the get-go, I would back him to score at one point throughout the match however, the odds are offering little value. I am also tempted to put a goalscorer bet on Herr Ballack who is paying 2/1 at Ladbrokes. Verdict: Back Germany to win at 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1 at Canbet for 6.5/1 (Bet all three results and more than double your money). Herr Ballack to score at 2/1 with Ladbrokes. And for those who favor an upset, Canbet has a 1-1 draw paying 9/1 Click here for a free £200 to bet on Euro 2008 with Canbet