Scout Betting

Paddy Says…Euro 2012

With just hours to go before the Fantasy deadlines close, we thought a cheeky glance at Paddy Power’s odds would be in order, just to check how our bookmaker friends view the form prior to the tournament kick-off this evening…

To Qualify From the Groups

    Group A

  • Russia 1.44
  • Poland 1.72
  • Czech Republic 2.20
  • Greece 2.50

Paddy are backing Russia to top the opening group and one look at their recent performances shows just why. Dick Advocaat’s side arrive on the back of a 14 match unbeaten run and finished their warm-up matches with a 3-0 hammering of Italy last Friday evening; given their recent form, Paddy’s odds seem relatively kind here. Poland’s home support, combined with strong defensive displays and the goal threat of Robert Lewandowski, make them second favourites, while Czech Republic and Greece are the outsiders. Paddy sees this group as the closest of all to call, with the Greeks unbeaten qualifying campaign an obvious factor in their fairly shortened odds of 2.50.

    Group B

  • Germany 1.28
  • Holland 1.50
  • Portugal 2.10
  • Denmark 5.00

Paddy are firmly behind Germany to emerge top of Group B. One of only two teams to win all of their qualifying matches, Joachim Low’s side are filled with attacking menace and racked up 34 goals over their 10 group games. Featuring many of the Bayern Munich side and topped off with the creative genius that is Mesut Ozil, they have the potential to run amok up front – they are resultantly priced at 1.28. Holland have clearly given Paddy plenty to ponder. The Dutch have the lowest odds of any second-favourite and, with Wesley Sneijder pulling the strings and Robin Van Persie leading the line, could push the Germans all the way. Portugal have failed to sparkle in recent matches but, despite recent back-to-back friendly defeats, Paddy clearly reckons the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo still affords them a chance. Much to the chagrin of Nicklas Bendtner, no doubt, Denmark are given little hope here at 5.00.

    Group C

  • Spain 1.11
  • Italy 1.66
  • Croatia 2.62
  • Ireland 4.33

The defending champions are clear favourites in Paddy’s book and, priced at 1.11, have the shortest odds of any team to reach the knockout stages. Similar to Germany, Vicente Del Bosque’s side won all of their qualifying matches and, with the experience of winning trophies behind them, boast a squad with very little weaknesses. Italy are rated as second favourites here, in spite of a lack of recent game time and a spate of call-offs that has thrown Cesare Prandelli’s plans into disarray. The Republic of Ireland’s odds are perhaps reflective of their lack of attacking threat, though with their resilience at the back and settled first-team lineup, Paddy’s odds look kind in comparison to Croatia.

    Group D

  • France 1.44
  • England 1.57
  • Urkraine 2.29
  • Sweden 2.87

England and France were previously joint favourites for this group but the odds have shortened for Les Bleus to 1.44. A 21-game unbeaten run, capped by a midweek 4-0 hammering of Estonia where Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema ran riot, has seen the French rise in Paddy’s estimations. Co-hosts Ukraine are third-favourites to qualify; despite a couple of defeats and a food poisoning scare, Paddy still prefers them to Sweden. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and co arrive on the back of a four-game winning streak and look decent value here at 2.87.

To Reach Semi-Finals

  • Spain 1.44
  • Germany 1.57
  • Holland 2.00
  • France 2.75
  • England 3.25
  • Italy 3.40
  • Portugal 3.50
  • Russia 4.00

Faith in Spain and Germany is clearly unwavering. Bearing in mind that Paddy expects both to win their groups, games against the runners-up in Group D and A respectively would afford both a strong chance of progress to the final four. Coming in at 2.00, Holland are third favourites to reach the semis; Paddy clearly reckons Group B is the strongest, then, given the Dutch are rated as second best behind Germany there. France are next up, though England and Italy are less fancied to reach the semis, while Russia are the only side from Group A in the top eight; a price of 4.00 could be tempting for Dick Advocaat’s dark horses.

Least Goals Conceded

  • Spain – 7.00
  • Holland – 9.00
  • Germany – 9.00
  • France – 10.00
  • England 10.00
  • Italy – 10.00
  • Russia -11.00
  • Portugal – 11.00
  • Poland – 15.00

For goals conceded, Spain, once again, have the lowest odds. Mesmerized by their tiki taka passing game, Paddy has Del Bosque’s side priced at 7.00 here, with Holland and Germany following close behind. England’s back-to-back clean sheets under Roy Hodgson have them on a par with France and Italy; the latter’s defensive disruptions and recent 3-0 loss to Russia have dented Paddy’s confidence. Poland look decent at 15.0, bearing in mind they arrive on the back of five clean sheets, while Russia may also appeal – Advocaat’s men have shipped just two goals in their last 11 matches.

Leading Scorer

  • Van Persie – Holland – 10.00
  • Gomez – Germany – 10.00
  • Benzema – France – 13.00
  • Ronaldo – Portugal – 15.00
  • Torres – Spain – 17.00
  • Llorente – Spain – 17.00
  • Klose – Germany – 19.00
  • KJ Huntelaar – Holland – 19.00
  • Lewandowski – Poland – 21.00
  • Muller – Germany – 29.00
  • Podolski – Germany 29.00
  • Kerzhakov – Russia – 34.00

Robin Van Persie has joined Mario Gomez as joint-favourite in the last few days, with the Arsenal skipper now looking likely to lead the line for Holland. Karim Benzema’s odds have shortened from 17.00 to 13.00 this week on the back of his brace against Estonia, while Paddy have also dropped Fernando Torres’ odds to 17.00 – mirroring that of Spain team mate Fernando Llorente. Paddy clearly reckons Miroslav Klose will play second fiddle to Gomez in the German attack and have shifted his odds from 17.00 to 19.00, while Robert Lewandowski’s odds have dropped from 26.0 to 21.0, with the Poland forward’s home advantage influencing Paddy’s decision.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

869 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ramboros
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Yh, Steve Kean, I'll do that Tzorvas in for Chalkias transfer straight away. Good advice. Anything more you want to contribute with?

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  2. Public user
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Jelavic + Jordi alba

    Or

    Lewandowski + Dunn ????

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  3. Glad All Over
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Assistant manager trying to get me to switch my captain from Shirokov to Obraniak.

    If the smug git is right, I'm going to do him some harm...

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  4. emperikal
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I'm kind of keen in getting Maniatis in for Strinic but I already have Chalkias and don't want to double up on Greece defence. So:

    1) Chalkias + Strinic

    2) 4.5M keeper + Maniatis

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    1. Reckoner.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Given + Maniatis

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      1. Reckoner.
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Or Isaksson

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    2. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      OK... thought about it. I'm going with Strinic. If he doesn't play we have plenty of cover on the 11th.

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      1. Pratik
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        +1

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  5. heco87
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Poland: Szczesny, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski. Subs: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Dudka, Matuszczyk, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek, Tyton.

    Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras. Subs: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Salpingidis, Fotakis, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

    Ok so K Papadop with 17% ownership is benched ... time for a rethink!

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  6. COMH
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Ribery + Ozil in my team.

    Would you add Benzema or Muller to that?

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    1. Reckoner.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Not this GW I wouldn't think, I've also got Ribery + Ozil and am getting Benzema in for Ibra next GW.

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  7. Root
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    A) Szczesny, Debuchy, Andrews or
    B) Chalkias, Piszczek, Konoplyanka?

    Already have Maniatis and Perquis.

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  8. Pratik
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Last minute RMT's

    Schwesny, Given

    Strinic, Kadlec, Mantias , Zhirkov, Holebas

    Larsson, Sneijder, Shirikov, Ozil, Yarmalenko

    Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic, RVP

    I have 0.5 in the bank...Any changes recommended?

    So K.Papa is not playing right?

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    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Kallstrom instead of Larsson for a differential 😉

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      1. Pratik
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I have a good feeling about Larsson....Going to stick with him.

        You going for Kallstrom though?

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  9. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone doubling up on Greek defense?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      No.

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    2. Pratik
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Ya me, have few options at the back just for gw1

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    3. Glad All Over
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I have. Maniatis and Chalkias

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  10. Reckoner.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Szczesny, A.Berezutski and Mandzukic
    or
    Malafeev, Maniatis and Kuba

    For this GW only WC next GW.

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  11. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    A) kadlec and berezutski

    Or

    B) Gnasher and Strinic

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  12. Spike ⚽️
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Good luck to everyone. The big wait is nearly over 🙂

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    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Same to you Spike!

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  13. ManUFan
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    please help
    A: strinc + debuchy
    or
    B: Holebas + Dunne

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    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      A

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  14. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    anyone have the source for Malafeev starting tonight

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  15. Djerbil
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I will love a 0-0

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Fantasy wise yeah, but I'd rather see a good game personally.

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  16. JCrosbie
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Papastathopoulos or Avraam Papadopoulos ?

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  17. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Good luck to all those with similar players to me.

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    1. udit
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      😀 I love your humour, more than Sportings 😛

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  18. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Maniatis or Strinic? Have Chalkias.

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    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Strinic

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    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Same and I went with Maniatis
      Dbl Greek def will be a good thing next week in case I dont WC

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  19. MC
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    which spanish striker should i get? can afford any of them, and i don't have any other spain cover.

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    1. MC
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      except silva, sorry.

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    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Torres but I have a suspicion Pedro will be in the mix

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  20. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    will abate start for italy

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  21. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Lol at the people who have been on here for weeks still messing about with 10 minutes to go! 😛

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  22. UKG
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Glad I checked the rules. Lewendowski captain today, change to snjider tomorrow if he doesn't do well.

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  23. Red20
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Good luck to all 😀

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  24. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    OK that's just Lewandowski (C) going well. Chalkias I can understand .. perquis against 10 man Greece??

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