England to get off the mark in Euro under 21s

Watching the England v Italy Under 21 game one had to panic, was this really the best players of a generation? Well in fact No because most of the best generation are too busy wasting their time in meaningless friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil rather than playing here. Can Stuart Pearce and his side get back on track in the second round of Eurou21 group games?

England should probably have too much to see off Norway in their second group game as they have already seen them off twice in the group stages and odds of 5/6 (BETVICTOR/paddy Power) for victory look right. If you think Norway can get something from this game you can back them at 4/1 (GENERAL) while the draw is 11/4 (GENERAL). The best bet in this game is in taking Craig Dawson at 12/1 (GENERAL) to score first or 5/1 (betfred) to score at anytime. The defender, who is on penalty duties, scored in the first game though it was controversially ruled out.

Also, in the same group, Italy take on Israel and the Italians are the short priced 4/9 (BETVICTOR/ladbrokes) favourites to win the game. If you think the hosts can get something from the match then you can back them at 8/1 (CORAL) while the draw is available at 7/2 (GENERAL). The bet here could be in a little interest in the 13/10 (betway) that Israel can keep a clean sheet in the first half. The Italians showed against England a patient approach to scoring the first goal and Israel will look to frustrate them by getting men behind the ball.

In Group B the Netherlands take on Russia in the first game of the two on Sunday. The Dutch are blessed with a number of players with international class and showed this in their 3-2 victory over Germany in their opener. The prices have the Netherlands as strong favourites to win their next at 4/5 (betfred/ladbrokes/CORAL) while the draw is a best priced 14/5 (bet365/SKYBET) and a Russia victory is 9/2 (BWIN). The way to play this might be in the Asian Handicap where Russia can be backed at 39/40 (bet365) with +0.75. This bet would pay out on the win on a Russia win or a draw and only a half loss on a one goal defeat. Russia showed dogged defence against Spain and will likely be boosted by the presence of Alan Dzagoev who will give them a real attacking threat.

The later game on Sunday is the one that pitches Germany against Spain and bookmakers make Spain the 23/20 (SKYBET) favourites to win the game while a German victory is 14/5 (STAN JAMES) and the draw is a best priced 13/5 (BWIN). I have to think that the German side are a little bit of value here. They were undone by a slow start in their opener with the Netherlands and after fighting back from 2-0 down conceded again in the 90th minute. The German under 21 side can take great heart from the way that Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund dominated Spanish club side Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Champions League. I think the way to play this to in the double chance market as both sides might be happy with the draw. The Germany/Draw double chance is a best priced 5/6 (bet365).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Russia +0.75 on the Asian Handicap, 39/40 (bet365)
SILVER: GERMANY/DRAW Double chance, 5/6 (BET365)
BRONZE: Craig Dawson to score anytime v Norway, 5/1 (betfred)

Go To bet365

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07/06/2013     © Frixo 2026