Euro 2012: Winner Tip

The bookies make three teams in the tournament a cut above the rest, and it does seem highly likely that the winner will come from Spain, Germany or the Netherlands. But there are compelling reasons to think that the best bet is the outsider of the trio.

First up we have the defending champions Spain at a best price of 14/5 with bodog. With a side built around the mighty Barcelona contingent they will always take some stopping. But preparations have not gone to plan this time and there will be crucial absentees through injury. Leading goalscorer David Villa may prove irreplaceable while Carlos Puyol would have provided leadership on and off the pitch. With Xavi also struggling with niggles, the Barca influence is cracking.

Then there is Germany (3/1 Ladbrokes). At the end of 2011 they were looking like world beaters after qualifying handsomely and beating Brazil and Netherlands in friendlies. But as the tournament has neared, worrying signs are appearing. A 2-1 home defeat to France could be put down to a blip, but the 5-3 loss to Switzerland as recently as 26 May rang the alarm bells. Joachim Lowe has built his side around Bayern Munich despite the fact they’ve been found wanting in the Bundesliga. After the club’s nightmare end to the season, a German triumph looks less likely.

Admittedly, Netherlands have had the odd bad friendly result too, but overall at a best price of 7/1 with Boylesports, they look like the real deal. The Oranje have only lost two competitive matches under Bert van Marwijk since his appointment after Euro 2008; one was the 2010 World Cup final and the other was a dead rubber after qualification for Poland/Ukraine was already assured.

The Dutch probably have the widest range of attacking options in the competition. Wesley Sneijder has run into form at the end of the season while Arjen Robben rarely looks like anything other than one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe. Ahead of them will either be Robin van Persie or Klass-Jan Huntelaar; both are phenomenally prolific but van Marwijk may only find a spot for one of them. It is, as they say, a lovely problem to have. Expect Huntelaar to be a rampaging substitute with a point to prove if, as expected, the Arsenal marksman gets the nod initially.

But despite all the flair, Netherlands are no show-ponies with the coach famed for his pragmatic approach. Two of Mark van Bommel, Kevin Strootman and Nigel de Jong will sit in front of the back four and offer invaluable protection. Joris Mathijsen has a wealth of experience to bring to the defence while Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel is also expected to shine. The Oranje also look more capable of handling a few injuries than perhaps any of their rivals. Who else will have players of the calibre of Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart on the bench?

When you consider that the coach and most of these players have been together for years and reached the World Cup final in South Africa, they are well primed to go one better this summer.

*Money Back Special – Boylesports
Have a bet on the Euro 2012 winner and if your team goes out on penalties, Boylesports will refund you with a free bet to the same value. Max refund £200