Euro 2008: Group A Winner Betting

Team: Czech Rep  
Best Available 'Group A' price: 5/2      
Qualified as: Winner of Group D

The Czechs reached the 2008 European Championship finals with an
impressive set of results that saw them top the tricky qualification Group D
- seeing off challenges from both Germany and Eire for the top spot.

In fact, the Czechs were beaten only once in their qualifying campaign -
at home by Germany - on the way to racking up an impressive 29-pts,
2-pts more than the Germans in 2nd place.

But as impressive as their qualification campaign was, just 5/2  about
their EURO 2008 Group A chances is too short for me. Too short
because I'm not convinced their squad is capable of reproducing
this good qualification form over to the big stage.

Take the last European Championships in 2004 - a fantastic set of 
qualification performances were marred by a 1st round exit, and
that was a repeat of their dismal performance at the European
Championships in 2000. The Czechs faired even worse in 1998 & 2002
where they failed to even qualify for the World Cup finals.

Having Petr Cech in goal is of course a massive plus - even though
he looks like he'd be more at home on the revived Gladiators show, with all his headgear. But the one result I simply can't budge from my mind is their
timid defeat athome to Germany - a match where they were thoroughly
outplayed.

Team: Switzerland
Best Available 'Group A' price: 4/1            
Qualified as: Joint host

Host nations always demand some kind of respect and Switzerland are
no exception.

A 2-1 beating at Wembley doesn't read that badly - although it's
fair to say that England are currently not a great form guide. 

However, their 4-0 beating at HOME to Germany a few weeks ago was
simply a horror show that saw the Swiss woefully outplayed. The most
worrying chink in Switzerland's armour is their struggle to score goals. They've managed just 1 goal in their last 4 Euro 2008 'warm ups' (versus Nigeria,
The USA, England and Germany) and with the class rise taking a severe
hike come June, it's hard to find any value in the 4/1 available.

Team: Turkey
Best Available 'Group A' price: 7/1
Qualified as: Runner-up in Group C

7/1 looks too big a price to me - and well worthy of interest as a saver.

The Turks have been one of Europe's most improved sides in the past
year and the fact they've been beaten just once in the last 8 months
(1-0 by qualification Group D winners Greece) is good form.

Turkey's like to scrap-it-out and can be very hard to play against in
these kinds of tournaments, and at such a big price they should be going
in the book for a small stake.

Team: Portugal
Best Available 'Group A' price: 6/4
Qualified as: Runner-up in Group A

Finally - my selection to win the Group, and possibly the tournament.

The Portuguese have been Europe's most improved team over the past
12 years, and by some way. After a brief flirtation with success in
1984, Portugal's rise up the FIFA rankings ladder began back in the
late 90's with a solid performance at the EURO 96 finals - where
they registered a Quarter-final finish.

Since then - thanks to what's been since dubbed the Golden Age of
Portuguese Football - they've managed a Semi-final finish at Euro
2000, a place in the Euro 2004 final and most recently their best
ever finish - a 4th place at the 2006 World Cup. And some would say
- all this without the services of a top class goal scorer!

This is no such problem now... In Cristiano Ronaldo they have a
bona fide Goal machine. Although, not an out-and-out striker, the
Manchester United star is homing in on 40 domestic goals for the
season - a staggering record - and boast an outstanding 20-goal
return from his 54 International appearances.

If Portugal were a racehorse, it would have taken a 20lb hike in
the handicap over the past 8 years!

At around 11/8 Portugal winning Group A is worth a bet here -
together with a saver on the event's dark horse, Turkey

Check the best Group A prices right now, at:
http://odds.sportsxtra.co.uk/football/euro-2008

The domestic football season is heading down the home stretch - but
there is still time to win some good money before the players head off to
La Manga, to 'let off steam'.

Check out these odds-in-you-favour profit-making trends...

In The Premiership

Sunderland - Don't earn or concede many corners away from home, and
a very big 75 percent of their away games have produced 'Under 11
Corners' results. 

- Look to bet 'Under 11 Corners' away from home

Liverpool - Are the Premiership's top 'Under 11 Corners' side at
home. A massive 76 percent of matches at Anfield this year have
produced 'Under 11 Corners' results.

- Bet 'Under 11 Corners' when Liverpool are at home.

Wigan - Steve Bruce's men are one of the cleanest acts in the land -
8 of their last 10 Premier League games have produced Under 35
Bookings Points.

- Look to bet Under 40 Booking Points/ 4 Cards

In The Scottish Premier

Rangers - Yet another well behaved month from Rangers who seldom
have the ref reaching for his pocket - they achieved a very low
rating of just 8.0 Bookings Points per match - to go with their
previous low, low ratings of 12.0, 12.0, 10.0, 7.5, 10.0, 00.0, and
5.0.

- Look to bet 'low' on the Bookings Total or on Rangers opponents
to receive the First Card

Collect your money!!

If you're interested in more money-making trends like this for ALL
Premier League teams, check out this FREE website:

www.FootballBettingResults.co.uk

Not only can you sign up for a FREE email providing you with the
outstanding stats and performance data for ALL teams -
including Corners, Goals, Bookings, Goals Times, etc.

But you can track the progress of all your bets - in EVERY betting
category - as they happen via a LIVE scoreboard.

Details of every Corner, Booking, Goal and Scorer are updated as
they happen. Then as soon as the final whistle blows - you have an
instant Results service to settle all your Premier League bets.

Go to: www.FootballBettingResults.co.uk

That's all for this week.

Until next time,
Matt Nesbitt