The UEFA Euro 2012 Group Stages continue with a highly anticipated match from the “Group of Death”, as an old rivalry is renewed when Germany and the Netherlands clash in Group B play on Wednesday afternoon.
Prior to their falter at the 2010 World Cup and the ensuing matches, this could quite possibly have been the match of the tournament. Instead, you have an Italy side going up against all odds when they face off with Spain on Sunday.
When: Sunday, June 10, 12:00 PM EST
Where: PGE Arena Gdansk
TV: ESPN
Line: Spain (-140), Italy +0.5 (+350), Draw (+255)
Spain comes into this match looking to be the first nation to win three major tournaments in succession, as they are defending European champions winning Euro 2008 as well as World Champions winning World Cup 2010. This is a side that ended 2011 with a bit of a flutter, but they have gotten everything going since the calendar turned.
The Spaniards are 4-0-0 in 2012. They have only conceded one time during that span, and that was during a 4-1 drubbing against South Korea. Their 2012 aggregate is 12-1. Pretty impressive and pretty discouraging for their upcoming competition as it seems they have things figured out.
It surly doesn’t leave much wiggle room for the Italians who much like Spain, finished the 2011 year on a bit of a downswing. The difference is that they have not found their way out of it yet.
They have however, come into this tournament with a balanced group after having transitioned into a youth movement after the train wreck that was their World Cup 2010.
Still, Italy has lost three matches in a row, on home soil and without netting a single goal. [ad-3678122]
I will be interesting to see how the always-controversial forward partnership of Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano will work together. If they can attract as much on field attention to their play as they do for off field distractions, they could very well led this hungry bunch of Italians out of the group stage.
Players to Watch:
Spain – Fernando Torres
Sure, this is not the same Torres from two-plus years ago that was destined for greatness at the top of this game. He is still an outstanding attacking threat though. He has recently started to pick things up for his club, and I am anxious to see whether he can carry his momentum through to his international play.
Italy – Gianluigi Buffon
There are a few players we could point out here, but against Spain, everything is going to start along the backline. Why not highlight the guy that has been in goal for Italy for what seems like an eternity. With over 100 caps under his belt, dating back all the way to 1998, if Italy are to right the ship, it will begin with Buffon.
Matt’s Free Pick– Italy–This is one match that is difficult to call. However, just from a betting perspective, I have to go with Italy against the spread. This will be tighter encounter than most are expecting as all opening round matches seem to be a little cagey.
Bert Van Marwijk has possibly the most talented squad in the tournament, but his team has been seeded in Group B, the group of death , and will open the tournament on Saturday against Denmark.
The Netherlands after reaching the World Cup final in 2010 are second favorites, but can they live up to expectations?
When: Saturday, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Oblasny SportKomplex Metalist
TV: ESPN / FOX
Line: Netherlands (-165), Denmark (+500), Draw (+265)
On one hand, you have a side that is expected to make it all the way to the final.
Then in Denmark’s case, you have a solid side that is expected to finish last in the group because it has to not only face and take down Germany and the Danes–two of the best squads in world football–but will also have to fair well enough against Portugal and their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo who is arguably the best player in the world.
The Netherlands have enjoyed a pretty successful 2012 campaign thus far. The lone hiccup being in their EURO 2012 tune up matches. Bulgaria used a 93rd minute goal to propel them by the Dutch side when they were playing in front of their home faithful.
Aside from that match, Holland are a perfect 3-0 in the others. Including wins against England, Slovakia, and Northern Ireland.
On the other side of the ball you have a solid side that has just not played well this year. [ad-3678122]
Denmark lost to Russia 2-0 back in February, then they had one good tune up match, and one bad. The bad came against Brazil in which they fell by a margin of 3-1. Then they softened up the schedule a little bit with an aging Australian side. A match that they took by a 2-0 score.
Although the Netherlands is a far superior squad, Coach Morten Olsen does have a good mix of youth and experience and some key players that could make a massive difference.
Players to Watch:
Denmark – Nicklas Bendtner
Another attacking threat to be on the lookout for. He has scored six goals in his last eight international appearances. If Denmark are to break through in this one, it will likely be due to this young attacker. Who is just 24 years old right now.
Netherlands – Robin Van Persie
This guy is just a goal scoring machine. He had one of the better goal scoring seasons in EPL history earlier, and that has not slowed down on the international level. Van Persie has scored seven time in his last nine games.
Although that is a little skewed with his four goal outburst against San Marino, no one would be surprised if he opened the scoring in this one.
Matt’s Free Pick– Netherlands–The Dutch attack will be far too much for the Danes, who just can’t sit back and defend for 90 minutes.
They’ve got to push, which will probably result in outnumbered counter attacks and eventually their demise.
Co-hosts Poland is a side that have played very well as of late, and given that they are one of the host nations, this could be a very special tournament for them, as they open the 2012 UEFA 2012 European Championships on Friday against Greece in Warsaw.
Germany comes into the Euro playing great and they are the favorites to win Group B, which has to be the Group of Death, and they also have the 2nd best odds to win the whole tournament.
Euro 2012 – Toughest Test in Football Looms
What is widely regarded as the most difficult football tournament to win worldwide kicks off June 8th. Poland and Ukraine will host the 14th version of the European Championship and as per usual it features 16 of the top teams in Europe.
Not only is this Super Bowl a match up of a few years back when the Giants ruined the Patriots perfect season, but they also beat them in New England in week 9 this season.
Hockey betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks from Capperspicks.com.
Hockey betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks from Capperspicks.com.
For those college football betting nuts out there, it’s never too early to start thinking about the 2011/12 BCS picture.
The list of contenders and pretenders for the upcoming season has some familiar faces as well as some long-dormant programs looking to burst back on the national title scene.
NFL Football betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nfl picks from Capperspicks.com.
NFL Football betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nfl picks from Capperspicks.com.
As the biggest sport in the betting industry, NFL football never truly rests. That’s why we’re already looking ahead at 2010-11 Super Bowl futures. Who has the inside track?
AFTER WEEK 2 GAMES – NFL Football betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nfl picks from Capperspicks.com.
With two weeks in the books, NFL teams have played an eighth of their schedule. How have the Super Bowl betting futures been affected early on? Let’s look at three key risers, three key fallers and three teams standing pat in their odds right now.
While all the talk this offseason has revolved around the new power alliance down in Miami, the Los Angeles Lakers are still the two-time defending world champions and until a team figures out how to beat them four times in a playoff series, that will remain the case.
For those college football betting nuts out there, it’s never too early to start thinking about the 2010/2011 BCS picture.
As always, there will be a hodgepodge of contenders and pretenders; some of them obvious and some emerging from the woodwork.
Hockey betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks from Capperspicks.com.
Believe it or not, the NHL betting season will be here before you know it, so lets take a look at some early futures odds – NHL Style!
Thanks largely in part to the Ilya Kovalchuk fiasco, the NHL free agent frenzy has slowed to a crawl over the last few weeks. That means now is probably an ideal time to take a deep breath and assess the current Stanley Cup odds.
Chicago Blackhawks
Stanley Cup odds: +500
So far, books aren’t downgrading the Hawks even though they seem to lose another piece of their Stanley Cup-winning team every day. They’ve already said goodbye to Kris Versteeg, Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and John Madden. But, fact of the matter is, some guys named Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa and Sharp are still running the show. Chicago remains the team to beat.
Washington Capitals
Stanley Cup odds: +600
This is a team that frustrates me again and again at every trade deadline and during every free agency period. The Caps have so much firepower yet repeatedly fail to address their glaring need for defensive stability and perhaps even better goaltending. They won’t get my bet until they do so.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Stanley Cup odds: +600
The Pens have a great shot to represent the East in the final again this year. They lost Sergei Gonchar but may have actually improved on the back end with Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek coming to town. They may still acquire another winger to play with Sidney Crosby as well. 
New Jersey Devils
Stanley Cup odds: +1500
Most books currently list the Devils with the same odds as L.A., Vancouver, and Philadelphia. That’s good company. Clearly, everyone expects Lou Lamoriello to figure out the salary cap conundrum and keep Ilya Kovalchuk in a restructured deal.
Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup odds: +1500
These guys are the next Chicago Blackhawks. This blog correctly predicted the Kings’ ascension into postseason play a year ago; it was bound to happen with the likes of Doughty, Kopitar, and Johnson leading the youth movement. Now, the Kings have potential to grow even more. Brayden Schenn, Thomas Hickey and Jonathan Bernier could become viable NHLers or the Kings could ship one of them to land another elite scorer. Tomas Kaberle? Marian Gaborik?
Tampa Bay Lightning
Stanley Cup odds: +3000
The Lightning were among the league’s busiest teams this offseason. First, they signed Steve Yzerman as their new general manager. Then, under his tutelage, they acquired Simon Gagne to join a strong offense that already included Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier. Dan Ellis will bring stability in goal as well. Given how mediocre the Eastern Conference was last year, Tampa could return to the postseason.
San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup odds: +900
The Sharks still have the fifth-best odds to win the Cup in most books but it’s been years since they ranked that low, hasn’t it? It seems bettors and books are almost ready to give up on this talented group that always seems to choke in the playoffs. If you’re looking for value, however, it’s worth noting that (a) The Sharks re-upped the only two guys who had great playoffs in 2009, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski, with long-term deals. And Evgeni Nabokov’s departure for the KHL may be addition by subtraction.
Montreal Canadiens
Stanley Cup odds: +3000
The books have made their message loud and clear: you should’ve kept Jaroslav Halak and traded Carey Price, Montreal. It may seem strange for a conference finalist’s odds to plummet to the middle of the pack but, let’s face it, Halak carried the Habs in the playoffs and he doesn’t play for them anymore.
Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup odds: +6000
Ouch. After qualifying for the playoffs and showing real promise as a young team, the Avs now have the same odds as the Toronto Maple Leafs. I suppose oddsmakers think their situation is like Montreal’s in that a goalie, Craig Anderson, influenced their success. Don’t believe that. Colorado has some legit young talent on board with Matt Duchene, Chris Stewart, Paul Stastny and Peter Mueller leading the charge. It could be even better this year.
Shea Matthews lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national newspapers. He now applies his knowledge to sports betting and handicapping every day, and shares his winning picks with the world.
