Euro 2012 Golden Boot: Group B Lowdown
In this Euro 2012 ‘group of death’ some of the best players on the planet will collide so it is obviously a good place to go in search of the tournament’s Golden Boot winner…
Germany
2.10 to win the group; 1.20 to reach the last 16; and 4.00 to win the tournament
The Germans surprised many at the 2010 World Cup, and I fully expect this exciting young crop to makes waves aplenty in Poland and Ukraine this summer. The 5.00 favourite for the Golden Boot is their striker Mario Gomez, who’s bagged 40 goals for Bayern Munich this season. Gomez’s odds are probably too short to make it worth your while, but his strike partner, Miroslav Klose, could well be worth a punt at 10.00 having netted 13 in 26 for Lazio in Italy this season. The evergreen poacher has a stunning record in major international tournaments, and though he’ll turn 34 during the tournament, he could be a main beneficiary of the creative expertise from the busy trio of Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Lucas Podolski.
Portugal
5.00 to win the group; 2.25 to reach the last 16; and 20.00 to win the tournament
Persistent underachievers Portugal will rely on their talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, to blast them through this group and into the latter stages. The cheeky winker has struggled to replicate his best club form on the international stage, but he oozes a newfound maturity and sense of responsibility these days so he could be value at 10.00. Among his support acts, Manchester United’s Nani is hardly prolific; as such his odds (40.00) are not at all generous really. Meanwhile, Hugo Almeida of Besiktas will lead the line. The 27-year-old flatters to deceive and has a pretty average goalscoring record to boot. Back him at 40.00 if you genuinely fancy Portugal to go far, but don’t hold your breath.
Holland
3.00 to win the group; 1.45 to reach the last 16; and 8.00 to win the tournament
Holland boast the most complete line-up of world class attacking talent in Euro 2012 betting market, led by Premier League player of the year Robin van Persie. The Arsenal marksman has 25 goals in 62 appearances for his country and is currently in the form of his life, justifying his status as second favourite for the Golden Boot at 7.00. I can see RVP lining up alongside Klass-Jan Huntelaar. Schalke 04’s hitman, who has a staggering 31 international goals in just 50 games. This 28-year-old looks tremendous value at 12.00, especially given that the likes of Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder will be providing him with plenty of opportunities.
Denmark:
15.00 to win the group; 5.50 to reach the last 16; and 100.00 to win the tournament
Poor Denmark. They might have stood half a chance in any other group but not this one. In a parallel universe, where Nicklas Bendtner is actually as good as he thinks he is, the Danes would cruise to the top of group B, with the Sunderland striker sticking five goals past each of the other three teams. Sadly for the Danes, the aforementioned parallel universe doesn’t exist. The former Arsenal man is priced at an unattractive 75.00.