Who will get off to a winning start in the opening group games in the Euro Under21s?

We have already previewed the outright markets for the European Under21 Championships so here is a look at the best of the bets from the opening group games.

Things get underway Wednesday Evening 5:00pm (BST) as the hosts Israel take on Norway. As is always the way in these events the host nation have been over-rated with Israel as short as 7/5 (william hill) to win the opener. Norway are no mugs and reached this stage by virtue of a 5-4 aggregate victory over France while Israel qualified for the finals as hosts. A look at a mutal opponent is the best way to assess these two teams and England provide a good benchmark. They beat Israel 4-1 at this level in September 2011 while Norway who were in the same qualifying group only lost 1-0 at England. Norway at 9/4 (Stan James) and the draw is 23/10 (BETVICTOR) though the best way to play this is to take Norway in the draw no bet market at 13/10 (STAN JAMES).

The other game in the group that evening is the one that is likely to decide who will finish top of Group A as Italy take on England. Bookmakers have Italy as the 8/5 (STAN JAMES) favourites for the game as Italy have won each of their last six games. England are 11/5 (bet365) while the draw is a best priced 23/10 (betway). I think England can get something out of this game as the Italians are slow starters taking just one victory from their five opening games in this tournament while England have lost just one of their last five opening games. True the Italians did beat England in the opener in 2000 however it is worth siding with England at +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at 5/8 (bet365) which will pay out on an England victory or a draw.

Thursday sees Group B take centre-stage and the first of the two games that evening is the one between Spain and Russia. The Spanish are naturally the strong favourites and are 8/13 (william hill) to win this game and the defending champions Spain have won nine of their ten games in qualifying. It looks a tall order for Russia especially as star player Alan Dzagoev will not be present for this game as he is on duty with the senior squad. I think the price on the Spaniards is a little short so I will be looking to enhance it with a bet on Rodrigo to score at anytime (the Benfica forward netted 11 in qualifying) and a Spanish victory which is available at 11/4 (betfred). Also consider an interest in SPAIN/SPAIN in the half time/full time market at 6/4 (BETVICTOR/SPREADEX/188 BET) and Spain to win both halves at 7/2 (paddy Power).

The fourth and final of the group games looks an exciting one as the Netherlands take on Germany in a game that pits two historical rivals against each other. Germany are the 7/5 (WILLIAM HILL) favourites as they qualified in style dropping just two points from their ten group games. The Dutch though also have a squad of talent with the team having a total of 63 international caps at a senior level amongst them and they are a generous 9/4 (CORAL) for victory while the draw is priced at 12/5 (bet365/BETVICTOR/paddy Power). This looks a tough game to call and for those looking for a bet consider both teams to score might be the way to play though at 8/11 (ladbrokes) it is clear bookmakers are on this though.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Norway to beat Israel in draw no bet market, 13/10 (STAN JAMES)
SILVER: England +0.5 on the Asian Handicap v Italy, 5/8 (bet365)
BRONZE: Spain to beat Russia and Rodrigo to score at anytime, 11/4 (betfred)

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03/06/2013     © Frixo 2026