Euro 2012 Special: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Returns Home, Croatia To Maintain Home Form Plus England Have A Tricky Assignment Against Spain's Conquerors
We take a look forward to second round of matches in groups E to I...
Sep 7, 2010 1:00:00 PM
By Patrick Reilly
Odds supplied by Titan Bet
Group E
Sweden 1.01, Draw 13.0, San Marino 41.0
Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns home to Malmo and the smart money is on Erik Hamren's team to win with comfort. Sweden began well with a 2-0 win over Hungary and should record at least that in the Swedbank Stadion against San Marino who were thrashed 5-0 by the Netherlands. A repeat of Holland's 5-0 win is presently priced at 7.50 with the first goal coming in the opening 15 minutes at 1.95.
Netherlands 1.10, Draw 7.57, Finland 20.63
Precious little to suggest that Stuart Baxter's team will emerge with anything from Rotterdam. Finland haven't beaten Holland in 60 years and the Dutch are outstanding at home winning ten and drawing two of the previous twelve games. The visitors must do without captain Sami Hypia who is suspended. Over three goals at 1.76 looks the runner here.
Hungary 1.47, Draw 3.91, Moldova 6.55
On matchday one Hungary kept Sweden quiet for 45 minutes and their opponents Moldova earned their first competitive win in nearly three years. It's a case of deja vu as both teams met in qualifying for Euro 2008 with the home team winning on each occasion. Hungary will be aiming not to concede as Moldova have scored on the road in their last five matches. Both teams to score is working out at 2.50.
Georgia 2.94, Draw 3.07, Israel 2.37
Georgia failed to win any of their home games in qualifying for the World Cup. Israel began their campaign with a routine 3-1 win over Malta and have a habit of scoring in away games netting four in their five matches in qualifying for the recent World Cup. The hosts have only shipped two goals in their past four games and the safe bet looks to be under 2.5 goals at 1.71.
Malta 4.70, Draw 3.46, Latvia 1.70
You need to go back to last October and August to find the last time either of these teams won a match. Both began their campaign by conceding three goals in defeats and will be keenly aware this game represents a chance to put some points on the board. Latvia have registered one goal in their past five games while Malta rarely score more than one at home having done so just the once in their past 18 games. Under 2.5 goals @ 1.75 looks the safe bet.
Croatia 1.54, Draw 3.69, Greece 5.90
Aside from their 4-1 hiding by England in 2008 Slaven Bilic's Croatia have a superb record at home in competitive games. Greece earned a point in their 1-1 draw at home with Georgia but will need a sizable increase in performance to get anything in Zagreb. Anything other than a home win doesn't seem very likely. Croatia are a good price @ 2.05 to win with -1 handicap.
Bulgaria 1.71, Draw 3.44, Montenegro 4.67
After both playing British opponents on Friday it's time for more familiar fare for Bulgaria and Montenegro. The teams met twice in qualifying for World Cup 2010 and it was advantage Bulgaria who won 4-1 in Sofia after drawing the away game 2-2. England's 4-0 win flattered the Three Lions and Montenegro's 1-0 defeat of Wales will have given them a boost. Montenegro boss Zlatko Kranjcar has said he'll be happy with a draw which is priced at 3.44. Bulgaria's last two competitive games went well over 2.5 goals at 4-1 and 6-2 respectively. Over 2.5 @ 2.00.
Switzerland 4.06, Draw 3.42, England 1.82
In the World Cup Switzerland pulled of the biggest shock by beating eventual winners Spain. Swiss manager Ottmar Hitzfeld will have done his homework on stifling England who performed strongly in qualifying for the World Cup. The English have some defensive problems with injuries and Switzerland scored at home in four of their five WC 2010 qualifiers. Both teams to score is well priced at 1.90 as is over 2.5 goals @ 2.11. A draw is within the resilient Swiss reach @ 3.44. Meanwhile under fire England forward Wayne Rooney is 5.0 to open the scoring.
Denmark 1.28, Draw 4.64, Iceland 10.46
Another Nordic match up for Iceland after their 2-1 defeat to Norway where they squandered a first half advantage. Denmark were excellent in World Cup qualifying at home where they held Portugal and beat Sweden in Copenhagen. Iceland have improved since their 3-0 defeat here in 2007 but this will be a step too far for them. Denmark with a -1.5 handicap @ 2.10 is great value as they are pretty much a banker to win this game and start their Euro 2012 campaign with a victory.
Norway 2.96, Draw 3.20, Portugal 2.29
Following their incredible 4-4 draw with Cyprus Carlos Queiroz and Portugal need to get back to winning ways. Conceding a last minute equaliser makes the trip to Oslo more tricky than it needs to be. Since taking over the Norwegian reins for a second time Egil Olsen has made his team typically hard to beat particularly at home. He's won six out of seven games including a 1-0 win over France. Clean sheets have been hard to come by with just two in that sequence. Minus Cristiano Ronaldo the visitors are in for a difficult night. A 1-0 win to Norway is checking out @ 8.0.
Czech Republic 1.26, Draw 4.76, Lithuania 11.73
The Czechs boast a 100% record over Lithuania and enter the game on a high after their 4-1 win over Latvia. That marked the second game in a row they have scored four goals in a game and a 4-1 win in Prague is priced at 13.92. Lithuania's last away win came against Luxembourg and that was only by a single goal. Earning a point against Scotland was creditable but the Czechs are a more effective unit and should punish Lithuania by a few goals. Czech Republic with -1 handicap @ 2.14.
Scotland 1.01, Draw 9.0, Liechtenstein 21.0
A first meeting between these teams and the bookies clearly don't see an upset. Scotland haven't scored more than two goals at home since 2007 and even world champions Spain could only put four past Liechtenstein on Friday. Of course Scotland should win but not necessarily by a massive margin. Giving Liechtenstein a +3 starting advantage works out @ 1.95 so the only way you can lose this bet is if Scotland score four goals at home which is something they haven't done since 2006. If you are feeling more brave awarding Liechtenstein a +2 handicap is a longer price at 3.40.
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Predictions and picks are informative and can't be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.
Group E
Sweden 1.01, Draw 13.0, San Marino 41.0
Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns home to Malmo and the smart money is on Erik Hamren's team to win with comfort. Sweden began well with a 2-0 win over Hungary and should record at least that in the Swedbank Stadion against San Marino who were thrashed 5-0 by the Netherlands. A repeat of Holland's 5-0 win is presently priced at 7.50 with the first goal coming in the opening 15 minutes at 1.95.
Netherlands 1.10, Draw 7.57, Finland 20.63
Precious little to suggest that Stuart Baxter's team will emerge with anything from Rotterdam. Finland haven't beaten Holland in 60 years and the Dutch are outstanding at home winning ten and drawing two of the previous twelve games. The visitors must do without captain Sami Hypia who is suspended. Over three goals at 1.76 looks the runner here.
Hungary 1.47, Draw 3.91, Moldova 6.55
On matchday one Hungary kept Sweden quiet for 45 minutes and their opponents Moldova earned their first competitive win in nearly three years. It's a case of deja vu as both teams met in qualifying for Euro 2008 with the home team winning on each occasion. Hungary will be aiming not to concede as Moldova have scored on the road in their last five matches. Both teams to score is working out at 2.50.
Georgia 2.94, Draw 3.07, Israel 2.37
Georgia failed to win any of their home games in qualifying for the World Cup. Israel began their campaign with a routine 3-1 win over Malta and have a habit of scoring in away games netting four in their five matches in qualifying for the recent World Cup. The hosts have only shipped two goals in their past four games and the safe bet looks to be under 2.5 goals at 1.71.
Malta 4.70, Draw 3.46, Latvia 1.70
You need to go back to last October and August to find the last time either of these teams won a match. Both began their campaign by conceding three goals in defeats and will be keenly aware this game represents a chance to put some points on the board. Latvia have registered one goal in their past five games while Malta rarely score more than one at home having done so just the once in their past 18 games. Under 2.5 goals @ 1.75 looks the safe bet.
Croatia 1.54, Draw 3.69, Greece 5.90
Aside from their 4-1 hiding by England in 2008 Slaven Bilic's Croatia have a superb record at home in competitive games. Greece earned a point in their 1-1 draw at home with Georgia but will need a sizable increase in performance to get anything in Zagreb. Anything other than a home win doesn't seem very likely. Croatia are a good price @ 2.05 to win with -1 handicap.
Bulgaria 1.71, Draw 3.44, Montenegro 4.67
After both playing British opponents on Friday it's time for more familiar fare for Bulgaria and Montenegro. The teams met twice in qualifying for World Cup 2010 and it was advantage Bulgaria who won 4-1 in Sofia after drawing the away game 2-2. England's 4-0 win flattered the Three Lions and Montenegro's 1-0 defeat of Wales will have given them a boost. Montenegro boss Zlatko Kranjcar has said he'll be happy with a draw which is priced at 3.44. Bulgaria's last two competitive games went well over 2.5 goals at 4-1 and 6-2 respectively. Over 2.5 @ 2.00.
Switzerland 4.06, Draw 3.42, England 1.82
In the World Cup Switzerland pulled of the biggest shock by beating eventual winners Spain. Swiss manager Ottmar Hitzfeld will have done his homework on stifling England who performed strongly in qualifying for the World Cup. The English have some defensive problems with injuries and Switzerland scored at home in four of their five WC 2010 qualifiers. Both teams to score is well priced at 1.90 as is over 2.5 goals @ 2.11. A draw is within the resilient Swiss reach @ 3.44. Meanwhile under fire England forward Wayne Rooney is 5.0 to open the scoring.
Denmark 1.28, Draw 4.64, Iceland 10.46
Another Nordic match up for Iceland after their 2-1 defeat to Norway where they squandered a first half advantage. Denmark were excellent in World Cup qualifying at home where they held Portugal and beat Sweden in Copenhagen. Iceland have improved since their 3-0 defeat here in 2007 but this will be a step too far for them. Denmark with a -1.5 handicap @ 2.10 is great value as they are pretty much a banker to win this game and start their Euro 2012 campaign with a victory.
Norway 2.96, Draw 3.20, Portugal 2.29
Following their incredible 4-4 draw with Cyprus Carlos Queiroz and Portugal need to get back to winning ways. Conceding a last minute equaliser makes the trip to Oslo more tricky than it needs to be. Since taking over the Norwegian reins for a second time Egil Olsen has made his team typically hard to beat particularly at home. He's won six out of seven games including a 1-0 win over France. Clean sheets have been hard to come by with just two in that sequence. Minus Cristiano Ronaldo the visitors are in for a difficult night. A 1-0 win to Norway is checking out @ 8.0.
Czech Republic 1.26, Draw 4.76, Lithuania 11.73
The Czechs boast a 100% record over Lithuania and enter the game on a high after their 4-1 win over Latvia. That marked the second game in a row they have scored four goals in a game and a 4-1 win in Prague is priced at 13.92. Lithuania's last away win came against Luxembourg and that was only by a single goal. Earning a point against Scotland was creditable but the Czechs are a more effective unit and should punish Lithuania by a few goals. Czech Republic with -1 handicap @ 2.14.
Scotland 1.01, Draw 9.0, Liechtenstein 21.0
A first meeting between these teams and the bookies clearly don't see an upset. Scotland haven't scored more than two goals at home since 2007 and even world champions Spain could only put four past Liechtenstein on Friday. Of course Scotland should win but not necessarily by a massive margin. Giving Liechtenstein a +3 starting advantage works out @ 1.95 so the only way you can lose this bet is if Scotland score four goals at home which is something they haven't done since 2006. If you are feeling more brave awarding Liechtenstein a +2 handicap is a longer price at 3.40.
. Predictions and picks are informative and can't be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.
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