France could ensure early England disappointment at Euro 2012
Published:As England open their Euro 2012 campaign against France on Monday, plenty of patriotic punters will lap up the 11/5 price about a Three Lions victory.
However, it should be noted that France have come out in top in four of the last five meetings between the sides, making their 7/5 odds for success appeal.
Somewhat ironically, England began their last European championship campaign with a group tie opposing France, when a late Zinedine Zidane brace secured a 2-1 win for Les Bleus.
That match was the first of three in succession which France won by a single goal against England, and a narrow win could again prove the outcome in Monday’s Group D clash.
The French are 7/2 to win a game featuring two or less goals, but 2-1 has been the most regularly occurring recent scoreline in Laurent Blanc’s charges’ favour.
Therefore, the 4/1 odds about a French triumph with a game involving three or more strikes are appealing, whilst it is 10/1 that France succeed via a 2-1 scoreline for what would be the third time in the sides’ last four encounters.
England have proved a sturdy defensive unit of late, keeping clean sheets in six of their last eight outings, though it should also be noted that France have only failed to notch once in the same amount of matches, and are unbeaten in 20 games heading into the competition.
With a lineup disrupted by injury too, England could be susceptible to an attack featuring the likes of Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery and Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.
Indeed, each of the aforementioned talents registered within the last two matches against England, and it is 13/2 that Ribery scores in a France win on Monday.
Benzema meanwhile, fancied by many to win the tournament’s Golden Boot award, is 7/2 to score during a French victory, or can alternatively be backed at a big 6/1 to open the scoring.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
