It’s the moment that everyone’s been waiting for as England kick-off their Euro 2012 campaign with a really tough clash against France in Donetsk today (5pm KO, Live on ITV1) and bookmakers firmly believe it won’t be winning one.
They are as big as 5/2 with Hills and Stan James for victory and patriotic punters are not putting their faith and piling the cash on Roy Hogson’s men.
It’s France who are attracting all the support at a standout 13/8 with BetVictor, with the draw rated a 21/10 chance.
I will obviously be cheering on England, but when looking at the match from a betting perspective you cannot let your heart rule you head and I do think that France look a decent bet at 13/8.
They are unbeaten in 21 coming into the tournament and have only conceded four goals in qualifying. They have not lost to England in their last five meetings, and have won the last three encounters.
Laurent Blanc’s side is packed full of quality with the likes of Ribery, Nasri, Malouda and Benzema, and they will cash-in big style if England are careless with the ball.
It’s true that the Three Lions have become a disciplined, defensive unit who protect their goal above everything else since Hodgson took over, but they are going to be severely tested by the French forward line and I am not convinced that the Terry/Lescott partnership will work and be able to cope.
This is surely going to be a game where England have to rely on counter-attacks to score and the one good thing is that Ashley Young and Danny Welbeck they have too pacey players capable of causing the French defence problems and possibly bagging a goal.
Welbeck scored a sublime goal in their recent 1-0 win against Belgium in their final warm-up for this, and much now rests on his shoulders with Man United striking partner Wayne Rooney suspended for the first two games.
He is a 7/2 chance with BetVictor and Stan James to net anytime, and if any player is going to get a goal for England he is by far the most likely to do so in my book.
The one good stats as far as England are concerned is that no side scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of qualifying games for Euro 2012 than them (6).
So if they can get off to a flyer there could be some hope of an upset.
However for me France look to hold all the aces and at 13/8 have to be the bet.
