Euro 2012 previews and prediction

[Cassidy]

What's up guys! The long wait is over! Only a couple of days and the Euro 2012 starts. That's why I will help you to enhance your betting profits using my personal analysis and thoughts about the matches in the Euro 2012 showdown. In this thread i will post my own preview and prediction about the games. I will update every match daily. After that you can compare odds from different sportsbook around the web.

 

 

 

Poland vs Greece 8th June 2012 18:00

 

 

Poland and Greece set to kick things off in the Euro Cup 2012 opener.

 

 

Poland

 

 

The Poles will open up and kick off the festivities for the 2012 European Championships holding the home field on June 8 when they take on Greece in a Group A match in Warsaw, and this will be the first test for all 2012 Euro Cup betting fans. In recent matches against Greece Poland has owned Greece beating them 10 out of the last 15 matches it will make it even more sweeter that they are playing in front of their home fans. Poland has beaten Greece 4 out of their last 5 meetings.

 

 

In their last meeting on March 2011 it ended up in a scoreless game. But as far as scoring goes Poland has clearly dominated Greece outscoring them 29-11 in the last 15 matches. Just to note Greece has not won in Poland. They have lost 8 straight to Poland being outscored by the Poles 22-4.

 

 

Greece

 

 

Greece came in dominating their qualifying round by winning 7 out of 10 matches in their qualifying round and to also mention they have lost 1 match in their last 20. Greece is entering the tournament on its high horse and deservingly so. Greece however only scored 14 goals in their last 10 games that is enough to draw some concern but, on the defensive side they are brilliant only conceding 5 goals.

 

 

Predictions:

 

 

We can see this being a real all out war with Greece wanting payback but with the home field and the crowd behind the home team it’s going to be very tough for Greece, With striker Robert Lewandowski being Poland’s biggest scoring threat arrives at Euro 2012 in the best shape of his life.

 

 

Poland has competed in one European championship since 2008 not winning one match. The Poles drew one and lost two in the 2008 Euro Championships. They didn’t qualify past the group stage. They have had more success on the world stage and have played in seven World Cups.

 

 

Greece’s last major defeat came at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when Argentina defeated them 2-0.

 

 

We look for Poland to continue their dominance over Greece.

[Cassidy]

Tomorrow is day that will are all waiting for! Be wise and don't just place bets without analyzing the match. Here's another important match in the Euro 2012!

 

Russia vs Czech Republic 8 June 2012 20:45

 

 

Opening day has the second of 2 matches being played on June 8th. Russia will be paired up against the Czech Republic.

 

Russia

 

Russia is just coming off of 7 wins out of 10 games from their qualifying group with their only loss at home to Slovakia. Team Russia played with a very competitive group which included Ireland and World Cup entry Slovakia. In the qualifying side Russia has only conceded a mere 4 goals and only 6 clean sheets in their last 7 matches. Russia has a very strong attack with mid fielder and captain Arsharvin and striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov along side with a great supporting cast in trio mid fielders Denisov , Zryanov and Shirokov.

 

Czech Republic

 

Czech Republic enters the tournament with a playoff win over Montenegro without having conceded a goal. Czech’s come in having to qualify in a group which included powerhouse Spain and Scotland. Team Czech also boast big name player in goalie Petr Cech,whose Chelsea team just won the Champions League also leading the way is “Little Mozart” Rosicky who is known to be the orchestrator and is said to have the best uncanny vision on the playing field. Also we have to mention striker Milan Baros who rounds out this core of this veteran Czech team.

 

One big concern about Czech Republic is that they do not score goals. Only having 12 goals in their last qualifying 10 games. Mid fielder Baros does not possess the scoring punch he once had only having 8 goals in his last 28 starts with his Galatasary club this season. Their left back lead them in the qualifying games with 4 goals (not a good sign).

 

Prediction: Russia wins 2-0

 

As good as goalie Cech is and their decent back 4 .I just can’t see them keeping up and withstanding Russia’s attack. Also, a huge concern is that the Czech team does not score goals. I see this being close in the 1st half but, in the second half I see Russia pulling away with this one winning Russia should easily be able to make it out of this Group A.

[Cassidy]

Netherlands enters the tournament on a high note but, placed in what’s called the “Group Of Death” stage along with Netherlands in this stage is powerhouse Germany, Denmark there are no guarantees when it comes to the knock out stage.

 

 

Denmark vs Netherlands Saturday, 9 June 2012

 

 

Netherlands

 

The Dutch put together a nice run by winning 9 out of its 10 last matches (The only loss coming to Sweden) in a death match that had already been secured. Netherlands amassed an astounding 37 goals with an eye popping average of 3.5 per game. The Dutch team has a very aggressive attack being led by a talented group of mid fielders and strikers. Leading the way is striker Robin Van Persie who is most noted for scoring 4 goals last September in a blow out against San Marino. Along with Van Persie is winger Dirk Kuyt who is known for his tireless stamina and aerial ability. Holland is stacked with scorers having amassed 88 goals between Van Persie and Huntelaar leading the way. There high scoring attack has earned them the name ”The Brazil of the Euros.”

 

Denmark

 

Danes enter the tournament coming out of a tough qualifying round against Iceland, Portugal and Norway. But, managed to win 6 out of 8 matches losing to Portugal who happened to qualify also for the finals will meet each other in the 2nd group game. Considering that they were in tough company, The Danes managed to score in every one of their qualifying game. That says a lot considering the competition they had. Led by center forward Niklas Bendtner and mid fielder Michael Krohn-Delhi lead a sound attack for the Danes. Defensively , Denmark is quite sound with just 6 conceded in their qualifying rounds.

 

Prediction: Netherlands 1-0

 

I like Netherlands in this one. The fact is Denmark will have an inexperience goal keeper to start this match and with the attack the Netherlands posses they will exploit the green thumb goalie. Though Netherlands is not noted for being a defensively sound team I still look for it to continue with their high scoring attack.

[Cassidy]

The last match on Saturday will be played in Lviv, Ukraine where it will feature the Powerhouse German team who look to make a statement in their opening match against Portugal. This is a pivotal match for both teams as they are paired in the “Euro Cup Group of Death” with also Netherlands and Denmark.

 

Germany vs Portugal Saturday, 9 June 2012

 

Germany

 

Germany performed well in their last 5 qualifying matches and coming with the new formation of the players and also their formation or strategy. They won 3 matches, 1 draw and their only loss came to France back in February. The Germans are led by Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez whom they look for to supply a few goals during the tournament after having a great season in the Bundesliga but, the 26-year-old had some lapses when Munich needed him in the Champions League final against Chelsea and in the German Cup against Borussia Dortmund.

 

The German offensive stormed through the qualifying games like a pack militant skinheads walking through a small Asian grocery somewhere in Munich and achieved a perfect record, winning all 10 of their matches and scoring a massive 34 goals en route. Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira are expected to help propel the team further up the tournament ladder by using their gained experience at top European levels after their World Cup run back in 2010.

 

However, the Portuguese players are equipped with each of their individual brilliance that can topple any defense and unfortunately, defense is the biggest problem area for the German team and have let in too many goals on occasions so in the case of the upcoming game with Porto, the German power could break down if not corrected in time.

Portugal

 

While Portugal in the European Cup is a very confident, they boast some of the world’s biggest names namely Cristiano Ronaldo is one of Real Madrid striker, and also winger Nani who comes in from Manchester United. The problem with Portugal is they can never close out the big games having come close in 2004 when they hosted but lost to Greece 1-0. Portugal will heavily depend on Ronaldo for his knack to score having 42 goals in Spanish La Liga.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo, that already says a lot for a team. Having a player that is on top of the European as well as the world through football can do a lot for a team. Playing alongside Nani, Raul Meireles and Pepe is not bad either and if the Portos put their heads together, they can crush Germany’s already crumbling defensive wall.

 

But the Portuguese team also seem to face a similar problem with the Germans of having an attack that could open up any team with a defensive structure that can falter at crucial moments. They scored 27 goals in the qualifying matches, but let in a whopping 14 which almost made them miss the trip to the Championships. Plus, a string of bad games comes to mind such as the mismatch with Turkey.

 

Predictions: Germany 2-1

 

Both teams come into this game with high expectations to win. They have similar styles in their attack. This is a game where Portugal has to play to their strength and not play too cautiously. I favor the Germans because this team is on a mission after coming short to Spain in 2008. I don’t want to take too much away from Portugal because with Ronaldo and Nani in the game anything is possible.

 

By the problems facing opposition, Portugal is not expected by many to make it through the group; and it would take a major upset to qualify for the next round. Just recently, Portugal suffered a 3-1 defeat with Turkey. Germany’s national team has a more players that are experienced and battle hardened.