Lotta value on Schelin to be top scorer in Women’s European Championship

The 2013 UEFA Women’s European Championship gets underway Wednesday from Sweden with 12 teams taking part in a tournament that spans 18 days. The pick of the bets from these days comes in the top goalscorer market which at the time of writing only william hill had priced up.

Celia Okoyino da Mbabi is the 5/2 favourite in this market as the has grabbed 41 goals in 79 appearances for Germany and has to be respected. I think though Germany have so many scoring options that the goals might be shared around the team. Throw in the fact that if they qualify after two games she might be rested for one of the group games.

Those looking for an English scorer can back Kelly Smith and Ellen White at 20/1 with the latter offering more appeal as fitness doubts exists over the former.

The best bet in this market though is in taking Swedish striker Lotta Schelin at 5/1. In fact you could argue that the 29-year-old represents a lotta (sorry) value. You can get 5/1 on a player who is the Zlatan of the female team though perhaps she spends less time on her hair than him. Schelin has been in great form this season for her club side Lyon netting 24 goals in just 16 appearances and grabbed a brace against England in a recent friendly so is in red-hot form.

Germany are the 33/20 (betway) favourites to win this the 11th edition of the European Championship for national women’s football teams.. No side has won more titles than the Germans who have won this event seven times before including each of the last five. It is remarkable then to find them available at such a good price as they have not lost to a European side since 2009. They are missing a few players with injury though they should still have enough depth and far too much quality to win this tournament.

Other sides expected to go well are France who are the 4/1 (GENERAL) second favourites. France have recent draws with Germany and Brazil to their name and will represent dangerous opponents. The French were also the last surviving European side in the 2012 Olympics losing the Bronze medal match to Canada.

Hosts Sweden are the 9/2 (bet365/BETVICTOR/betway) third favourites. Sweden are one of just three sides to win this tournament before (winning the opening event in 1984). The Swedes are coached by former USA coach Pia Sundhage who coached the US to a Gold at the Olympics last summer and the Scandi nation should be entertaining both on and off the pitch. Coach Sundage is famed for two things, her love of attacking football and her love of singing at press conferences. A recent 4-1 friendly win over England suggests that they are heading in the right direction so take the 6/4 (BWIN) on them to reach the final.

England are the 12/1 (BETVICTOR) fourth favourites and will hope that 4-1 friendly defeat was just a blip in an otherwise impressive run of form that has seen them lose just one of their last 12 games. The runners-up in 2009 will hope to go one better this time around though injuries to key players may cost them.

Norway are the last of the fancied teams and are 18/1 (BWIN/188 BET) chances. They have made the semi-finals in the last three European Championships so have to be respected. The recent form is not good though with the Norwegians failing to win any of their last seven games.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Lotta Schelin to finish as top goalscorer, 5/1 (william hill)
SILVER: Germany to win the tournament, 33/20 (betway)
BRONZE: Sweden to reach the final of the tournament, 6/4 (BWIN)

Go To bet365

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07/07/2013     © Frixo 2026