10th June 2004, 05:55 PM
June 13th-16th
Portugal - Greece
Spain - Russia
Switzerland - Croatia
France - England
Denmark - Italy
Sweden - Bulgaria
Czech Republic - Latvia
Germany - Holland
My predictions - Matchday 1.
Portugal($1.45) - Greece($6.00) [DRAW: $3.85]
Portugal will want to get off to an impressive start at EURO 2004, being the hosts. I see them winning confidently.
PREDICTION: Portugal
Spain($1.60) - Russia ($5.15) [DRAW: $3.40]
Spain, like Portugal, will be eager to do well in the competition. With a lot of quality players in their team I foresee them being easy victors. At the world cup they didn't drop a point in the group stages.
PREDICTION: Spain, comfortably.
Switzerland($3.00) - Croatia ($2.15) [DRAW: $3.20]
On paper there is no reason Croatia shouldn't beat Switzerland but the result could be a draw. Unless a major upset occurs Switzerland won't beat Croatia. I doubt this will happen.
PREDICTION: Croatia
France ($1.90) - England ($3.60) [DRAW:$3.25]
France are deservedly the favourites against an over-rated England side that lacks attacking power now that Alan Shearer is retired. The English will rely on players like Michael Owen and Heskey to provide goals and I can't see either player scoring more than 2 goals in this tournament. Whereas France have a very talented team with players like Henry, Zidane, Pires with major strengths in all areas of the pitch.
PREDICTION: France.
Denmark ($4.00) - Italy ($1.80) [DRAW: $3.25]
Italy's return has gone from $1.90 to $1.80 in the past few days. This is because bookmakers are realising that Denmark has no chance of winning and Italy should win comfortably. I see Italy starting off EURO 2004 well with a strong win.
PREDICTION: Italy
Sweden ($2.00) - Bulgaria ($3.25) [DRAW:$3.25]
I feel that bookmakers are being generous with a $2.00 return on Sweden considering they are a strong, but under-rated nation. I expect them to win but not before conceding a goal from Bulgaria.
PREDICTION: Sweden
Czech Republic ($1.40) - Latvia ($7.50) [DRAW:$3.75]
There's a reason Czech Republic has the lowest returns for matchday 1. You can figure it out.
PREDICTION: Czech Republic, easily.
Germany ($3.10) - Holland ($2.10) [DRAW:$3.20]
This is not an easy match to predict as both nations are very unpredictable when it comes to soccer. One day Germany are in the WC final, the next they are being beaten by Romania 5-1 in Munich. Holland are losing 2-1 to Scotland and then 1 week later winning 6-0. Don't hold me to it but I expect Holland to get their team together and win against an unprepared German side.
PREDICTION: Holland
Please add your thoughts/predictions to this thread.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: primo on 2004-06-10 18:15 ]</font>
Portugal - Greece
Spain - Russia
Switzerland - Croatia
France - England
Denmark - Italy
Sweden - Bulgaria
Czech Republic - Latvia
Germany - Holland
My predictions - Matchday 1.
Portugal($1.45) - Greece($6.00) [DRAW: $3.85]
Portugal will want to get off to an impressive start at EURO 2004, being the hosts. I see them winning confidently.
PREDICTION: Portugal
Spain($1.60) - Russia ($5.15) [DRAW: $3.40]
Spain, like Portugal, will be eager to do well in the competition. With a lot of quality players in their team I foresee them being easy victors. At the world cup they didn't drop a point in the group stages.
PREDICTION: Spain, comfortably.
Switzerland($3.00) - Croatia ($2.15) [DRAW: $3.20]
On paper there is no reason Croatia shouldn't beat Switzerland but the result could be a draw. Unless a major upset occurs Switzerland won't beat Croatia. I doubt this will happen.
PREDICTION: Croatia
France ($1.90) - England ($3.60) [DRAW:$3.25]
France are deservedly the favourites against an over-rated England side that lacks attacking power now that Alan Shearer is retired. The English will rely on players like Michael Owen and Heskey to provide goals and I can't see either player scoring more than 2 goals in this tournament. Whereas France have a very talented team with players like Henry, Zidane, Pires with major strengths in all areas of the pitch.
PREDICTION: France.
Denmark ($4.00) - Italy ($1.80) [DRAW: $3.25]
Italy's return has gone from $1.90 to $1.80 in the past few days. This is because bookmakers are realising that Denmark has no chance of winning and Italy should win comfortably. I see Italy starting off EURO 2004 well with a strong win.
PREDICTION: Italy
Sweden ($2.00) - Bulgaria ($3.25) [DRAW:$3.25]
I feel that bookmakers are being generous with a $2.00 return on Sweden considering they are a strong, but under-rated nation. I expect them to win but not before conceding a goal from Bulgaria.
PREDICTION: Sweden
Czech Republic ($1.40) - Latvia ($7.50) [DRAW:$3.75]
There's a reason Czech Republic has the lowest returns for matchday 1. You can figure it out.
PREDICTION: Czech Republic, easily.
Germany ($3.10) - Holland ($2.10) [DRAW:$3.20]
This is not an easy match to predict as both nations are very unpredictable when it comes to soccer. One day Germany are in the WC final, the next they are being beaten by Romania 5-1 in Munich. Holland are losing 2-1 to Scotland and then 1 week later winning 6-0. Don't hold me to it but I expect Holland to get their team together and win against an unprepared German side.
PREDICTION: Holland
Please add your thoughts/predictions to this thread.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: primo on 2004-06-10 18:15 ]</font>