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France and Spain have huge advantage at Euro 2016

Betting Preview for the tournament that begins on Friday

8 June, 2016 10:00 24 comments
France and Spain have huge advantage at Euro 2016

Spain – Draw favours their chances of retaining trophy

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The draw is arguably the most important factor at Euro 2016 in determining a team's fate and the draw could have extra significance this year with the tournament moving to 24 teams, from 16, for the first time. This expansion of the tournament means that there are 2 extra groups, 8 extra knockout games and 4 teams qualifying from 3rd spot in the groups.

These changes have given two teams a major advantage at Euro 2016. The winners of Group A and the winners of Group D will be the only teams that can avoid playing a group winner before the Semi Final. The winners of Groups A and D are most likely to be France and Spain respectively and that should ensure one less tough game at the tournament for both sides.

Spain have won both of the last two European Championships and they'll be looking at the draw knowing that in all likelihood only Sweden and Poland stand in their way of the semi final appearance. Both teams are very reliant on one great striker and if Spain can keep Ibrahimović and Lewandowski quiet they should have very few problems.

France meanwhile probably have the best early draw with Turkey or Czech Republic likely to await the hosts in the Second Round followed by either Wales or Russia in the Quarter Final. France do have the toughest Semi Final of all though if all goes to plan with Germany likely to be awaiting them.

France v Germany will be too tough to call for many punters and with the victors of that match likely to have had an extremely tough game the winners from Spain's Semi Final could have an advantage going into the final. Spain could well face England in their Semi Final with England likely to take on Romania or Albania should England win their group followed by a tougher match against Portugal or Italy. If England could get past Spain they could face a very tired Germany or France side.

France and Germany are probably the best two sides in the tournament but the semi final draw means only one of them can reach the final. Either of those sides winning is just 11/8 and with Spain or England likely to take on a 'softened up' France or Germany in the final the value could lie with Spain and England paired at around 3/1.

For the best Euro 2016 tips, visit OLBG.com

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24
comments

  1. mbg

    Jun 10, 2016, 13:47 #90206

    ArseneKnewBest, we're having an Ulster fry up with fadge bread and carrots with potato blight.

  2. Arseneknewbest

    Jun 10, 2016, 7:49 #90200

    WABATTD- Your euro culinary poser got me thinking. How about floor sweepings or tree bark followed by a swiss roll? I live in Wales these days (no laughing please...) where the TV has temporarily stopped showing rugby repeats from the early 1970s, only to be replaced by Gareth Bale tying his shoe laces or Gareth Bale eating liquorice allsorts - that kind of thing. Very parochial in any case, and not exactly edifying. WABTTD - I'm having fricasseed pigs testicles and rarebit when the boys in red play the hapless slovakians in the tournament opener.

  3. mbg

    Jun 09, 2016, 16:48 #90188

    Redshirts, I wouldn't be in the least surprised at that scenario at all, and I doubt many would, even the AKB wengerites themselves (but they'll surely have some excuse/excuses for it)in fact i'd bet on it.

  4. mbg

    Jun 09, 2016, 16:18 #90186

    Tony Evans, your right mate, the Norn Ireland fans are really excited about the Euros and making a big thing about it, getting behind the team, maybe because it's been that/so long since we've qualified, but i'd say it's because they're an honest bunch of lads, no Aires and graces about them three of them live and have family living within a ten mile radius of me and I would see them home all the time in the pubs having a pint with their mates just one of the lads, but most of all i'd say it's because the fans, and indeed maybe even the players themselves know their limits and we (the fans) all know where we stand with them and what to expect, we can't say the same with England and their premadonas, and certainly not Arsenal and their old fraud of a manager who think they're something they're definitely not.

  5. Tony Evans

    Jun 09, 2016, 13:30 #90177

    WABATTD - At least the media hyperbole that usually surrounds England is now notable by its absence. Looks like they have finally cottoned on to the fact that we aren't really that good. It's always best to play down your chances anyway whether club or country, otherwise the words egg and face have a habit of cropping up all too regularly!

  6. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    Jun 09, 2016, 13:16 #90176

    Tony; if memory serves me correct, the "Golden Generation" tag actually came from Portugal and referred to their very good youth set-up of the late nineties. Our media hijacked it for their own use. My first real serious tournament was Euro 88 and Hengerlund were expected to just turn up and be handed the trophy, (well by the papers anyway) The Micks were going to get sorted, the Russkies sent packing and the neo-Nazi Dutch were going to get theirs. After a rather unlucky defeat to a pedestrian Republic of Ireland, and a lesson in finishing from Van Basten, I realised very quickly that England were actually pretty crap, and it's been my default position ever since.

  7. Roy

    Jun 09, 2016, 11:33 #90174

    I can't cheer England on with all those over-rated spud and Roys Liverpool luvvies in the side.If Wally,Gibbs,Welbeck and the Ox were in the squad I would be well behind them.I stopped supporting Engerland in 1990 when Rocky,Adams and Smith were cut from the squad for a bunch of no flair journeyman and would be happy to see that big tart Giroud score a hatrick against England because at least he's Arsenal.

  8. Nick

    Jun 09, 2016, 11:16 #90173

    I hope England win and the supporters in crusader suits get to party, cant see it but I can hope, which is much like being a gooner isn't it ? Does anyone else have a sniff of previous seasons transfer shenanigans in their nostrils ? Whether you think Vardy is a solid target or just a cheap option the whole saga is very familiar,would I be just a tad cynical to say that season ticket renewals always coincide with transfer " news" ? I have to say I wouldn't be at all surprised if it all turns out to be just a ploy to boost st and membership sales, if we don't buy the quantity and quality of players we need before the new season kicks off I think Wenger is going to have an uncomfortable season , we have the money but do we have the will ? Another wasted transfer window and le fraud saying he is happy with what he has and that there were simply no better players available than those he already has would in my opinion be spitting in the faces of us all, but you know what I wouldn't be in the least shocked by such a scenario unfolding, ill be bloody apoplectic but not shocked !

  9. Tony Evans

    Jun 09, 2016, 11:13 #90172

    WABATTD - Yes that 'Golden Generation' crap was really nauseating wasn't it. Wait and see if they get to the last 16 though and then, as you say, they will be world-beaters again - until the first decent side they play knocks them out. Wish I could be less cynical about it but years of failure have taken their toll - I was just too young to remember 66 and it's been downhill all the way since then apart from 1990 and 1996.

  10. Alsace

    Jun 09, 2016, 10:21 #90171

    I like to think up new and derogatory names for the Strasbourg Genius, and all this talk of France (and light perusal of Field Marshall Montgomery's book on warfare through the ages - a book in which the great man doesn't have time for idiots) has got me thinking. Rather than TOF and OGL, why don't we name him after one of the great French First World War Generals, who threw away hundreds of thousands of men's lives doing the same old thing and expecting a different outcome. I'm going to call Monsieur, "Nivelle". We could call him "Haig" I suppose, but there are some names that even I won't call Mr Wenger.

  11. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    Jun 09, 2016, 10:13 #90170

    Tony Evans; no problem with getting behind Hengerlund, even with a team loaded with Spuds. We have at last freed ourselves from the yoke of the "World Class" tag a la Gerrard/Lampard/Rooney era- though it won't be long before the present incumbents are getting bigged up again. I'm actually really looking forward to this tournament, though its bloated nature looks like creating some rather ordinary match-ups until at least the QF. Who's going to join me in the obligatory "eating meal based on the countries playing" game. Could be tricky working out a Saturday lunch based on Albanian and Swiss cuisine.

  12. Redshirtswhitesleeves

    Jun 09, 2016, 9:11 #90169

    Thoughts on this vardy saga- can just see this going all the way to transfer deadline day only for him to decide to stay at Leicester and us having no back up thus starting the new season with the same gutless drivel ie giroud, wally etc. Wouldn't that be just typical wenger/Arsenal? Of course with all that money in the bank he could go and actually bid for a 'top,top qualiteee' striker like Higuain, Morata, Aubameyang but theres more chance of England winning the euros than that. I'll happily be proved wrong but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if we don't buy any other players this summer. Still at least Sanago is coming back....

  13. Tony Evans

    Jun 09, 2016, 8:46 #90168

    I'll get behind England of course, but it is difficult to warm to the team - maybe it's because up to 5 Spud players could well make the starting line up; or is it just because most of them are not very likeable anyway! As Ron says though they'll be back in Blighty before we know it anyway!

  14. SM

    Jun 09, 2016, 6:41 #90167

    Gambling is a mugs game. The only people who with confidence will make money out of the euros are the matched bettors.

  15. mbg

    Jun 09, 2016, 0:04 #90166

    Mark from Aylesbury, yes indeed, maybe the Vard has told TOF he wants to think about it, really denting his ego as he thinks Vardy should have been falling at his feet thanking him. With comments like that you can just see how TOF would handle him, showing him who's boss by keeping him on the bench (for 70 minutes)and playing him out of position ultimately ruining him. wenger out.

  16. Arseneknewbest

    Jun 08, 2016, 21:07 #90165

    I drew Spain, among others, in the family sweepstake - the dog got Hungary and Albania and the missus caught me laughing in its face which was embarrassing. With euro-schism possibly happening at the end of this month, I was hoping to draw four nations with a history of facist regimes, but after getting Espana first, and then ustashe Croatia second, Austria and Germany eluded me. Still, you look at most of the 24 teams and practically all their governments are shady, none more so than Dave call-me-a-liar Cameron. And let's not get started on UEFA shall we? Oh yeah, the football (if I must - yawn) - C'mon Spain - I'll win 2 quid if the madrileno mincers can pull it off. It'll be worth a month of diving, general cheating and flashy fluorescent boots punctuated by everyone except Arsenal signing up the successful players. Bring it on...

  17. John F

    Jun 08, 2016, 19:26 #90164

    If England get knocked out due to a controversial decision as seems likely I wonder due to the polls being level if it will have an effect on the Euro poll.Y ou can just see the Mail headline England lose to cheating Euro officials.Both sides will be watching with interest.C roatia is Wenger's outside tip.

  18. Mark from Aylesbury

    Jun 08, 2016, 18:18 #90163

    Anyone pick up on Grandma Wengers comment on Vardy not being internationally experienced enough to start for England and went onto say defences will have done their homework on him. With this sort of upbeat Speeerited speech I can see how we reach the giddy heights of top 4! Part of me wonders whether Weng is getting his revenge in early as Vardy will stay at the Foxes.

  19. mbg

    Jun 08, 2016, 17:29 #90160

    Ron, quite true mate, the difference being Wales and the Irelands know it too and there'll be no excuses.

  20. Ron

    Jun 08, 2016, 17:17 #90159

    Eng, Wales and the Irelands are best served by asking the airlines to keep the planes primed. None will be very long before they're back in the departure lounge at Orly, long faced for the cameras, with copious stories of their heroism, how hard done too they've all been and how their futures are so bright.

  21. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    Jun 08, 2016, 16:17 #90157

    Tony, Albania would give England a game no problem. Trouble is, half the team would end up living over here afterwards.

  22. Tony

    Jun 08, 2016, 14:06 #90153

    My tip is Albania.And all those of you laughing you laughed at Leicester

  23. David

    Jun 08, 2016, 13:16 #90152

    Ireland will win it. they will draw every game and go all the way to the final on penalties. Almost worked in 1990. Also it's their first centenary (a few more more to come in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2037 and 2049), and they should commemorate it. After all England did likewise 900 years after Hastings.

  24. mbg

    Jun 08, 2016, 12:13 #90147

    Get your dough on wee Norn Ireland tails are up with real mental strength and speeritt from hard honest pros and grafters (and not a bunch of preened and bleached premadonnas) and a manager who isn't past it and knows what he's doing, and you can be sure they'll arrive back to Belfast International airport in the public eye as heroes unlike others (especially England) slipping in through some side gate unseen onto their coach with they're tails between their legs again.