IT GOES WITHOUT saying — but we’ll say it anyway — that you should never gamble more than you can afford to lose. Where’s the craic in that?
However, if you fancy a sneaky fiver each-way here and there, this is the Euro 2016 preview for you as we’ve looked — in most cases — for the best value in the market to give you a decent run for your money.
Here, in no particular order, are seven of our top tips:
Outright winner
France – 7/2
Before this year, France has hosted two World Cups and two European Championships and their record when hosting is exemplary.
They have won twice (World Cup 98 and Euro 84), reached a semi-final (Euro 60) and lost to the eventual champions at the quarter-final stage (World Cup 38).
With Spain a fading force, England being, well, England and Italy in seemingly terminal decline, only Germany (7/2) look to offer real opposition among the traditional ‘big’ teams.
Top goalscorer
Thomas Muller – 8/1
Golden Boot winner at the 2010 World Cup, Silver Boot winner at the 2014 version, the only tournament blot on the Bayern Munich striker’s copybook is Euro 2012 when strike partner Mario Gomez shared the Golden Boot with five (!) other players.
With Germany likely to reach (at least) the semi-final stage, Muller is decent value at 8/1.
Those looking for even more value, Robert Lewandowski (16/1) finished qualifying as the top goalscorer with 13 though he won’t play Gibraltar this time around.
Big two versus the field
France or Germany – 5/4
Okay, so it’s not the kind of bet that’s going to pay off the mortgage, but if you can’t separate France or Germany in your pre-tournament rankings, why not take them both versus the field at 5/4?
One of France or Germany (including West Germany) has appeared in seven of the last 10 European Championship finals and the expectation is that one or both will be there or thereabouts this time around.
First game to finish scoreless
Wales v Slovakia – 13/2
No team scored less than Wales’ 11 goals in qualifying while Slovakia’s 17 was also among the lowest.
At the back, the two sides combined to concede 12 meaning we’re unlikely to see much action at either end of Saturday’s early evening kick-off.
Team to concede the most goals
Czech Republic – 13/1
No team conceded more goals in qualification and still made it to Euro 2016 than the Czech Republic who found themselves picking the ball out of the back of the net 14 times.
Unfortunately for them, they face Turkey, Croatia and Spain who combined for 57 goals of their own as they qualified for France.
Stage of elimination – England
Quarter-finals – 11/4
Of the eight European Championships for which England have qualified, they have gone out in the group stage (6/1) four times, semi-finals (4/1) twice and, in their last two appearances, at the quarter-final (11/4) stage.
Getting out of the group shouldn’t be much trouble for Roy Hodgson’s men while their last 16 clash is likely to see them face one of Switzerland, Ukraine or Turkey.
After that it gets tricky for England and we’re not sure we see them making it out of the last eight. If you disagree and think they might win, it’s 8/1.
How will Ireland do?
Last 16 – 23/10
The bookies expect us to fall at the first hurdle (8/13) but we’re taking a slightly more optimistic approach and suggest that Belgium, Italy and Sweden are (Eamon Dunphy voice) no great shakes and we should get to at least the last 16.
For those who think we can have a bit of a run in France, you can have quarter-final elimination at 13/2, a final-four appearance at 17/1 or Martin O’Neill’s men to be losing finalists at 45/1.
Of course, if you’re feeling really patriotic, Ireland are 125/1 to win it all — and look, we know about Greece and Denmark so it can happen — but a more pragmatic view is required when it comes to parting with your hard earned fiver.
Think we’re wrong? Of course you do. Let us know your top tips in the comments section.
