A review of the teams in Euro 2012 Group A along with the best odds on the market and the Betting Bible verdict.

Group A - Eastern No-Hopers or Outside Chance

 

Let us be honest.  The winner of this year's European Championship will not come from Group A, it is without doubt the poorest of the four Groups but don't let that stop you putting a bet on.

 

Czech Republic - 90/1 on Betfair (160/1 after first game)

They struggled (to an extent) in qualifying, finishing second in an easy group, but with the likes of Cech and Rosicky they should fancy themselves to get through this group. If they get through do they have a chance at beating Holland, Germany or Portugal? Nope. But the odds should come in sufficiently to bag yourself a bit of profit by closing out your position on betfair if they manage to win a game.

 

Greece - 100/1 with Paddy Power

There are some really wide odds offered on Greece, with Ladbrokes as short as fifties. Most of the bookies are clearly worried that lightning will strike twice and won't go near Paddy Power's odds. At 100-1 they Greece are clearly worth taking a look at. They are more than capable of getting through this Group (they conceded 5 in 10 games in qualifying and came top of the group).

 

 

 

Poland - 50/1 with Paddy Power

Poland are officially the worst team in the competition if you pay any attention to Fifa rankings. The fact that they are the co-hosts means that they are second favourites to go through to the next round but here at Betting Bible we think this makes the Czeck and Greek odds look more attractive. The Germans shamelessly nick any decent talent coming from Poland, however the Poles did manage to hide their star striker Robert Lewandowski who scored 30 goals this season in the Bundesliga, and has been linked with Man United.

Betting Bible verdict - Tricky next round, but finishing runner-up in this group is arguably the easier route, avoiding Spain in the semis. If it is ever a year for doing nothing but sticking 9 men behind the ball, and relying on a moment of magic from your talisman up top, this is it. Just ask Chelsea. And never underestimate home advantage. Just ask the US and South Koreans. Trading comfortably at 50s across the bookmakers, and up to 60s on the betting exchanges, there is still some strong value in this bet.

 

Russia - 20/1 with Stan James (12/1 after first game)

Favourites to progress from Group A and rightly so. They have a talented group of players and a great manager in Advocaat, however, they will not get through the next round so even at 25/1 there is little room to make much money off the Russians. Unless they smash the Czechs in their first game that is!

Betting Bible verdict - You would hate to pick them in your work sweepstake so no point backing them with your own money