Forget Euro 2004 repeat, bet on Greece to finish bottom of Group A
Andrew Clark picks out three of the best antepost bets on Greece offered by bwin, and a repeat of their 2004 success isn't one of them.
With Euro 2012 just a few days away, Euro 2004 winners Greece will be looking to shock the world of football once again and do the unthinkable against Europe’s elite footballing nations. While it’s difficult to justify a repeat of 2004, here are three of the best antepost bets involving Greece which could come into play.
Greece to finish bottom of Group A (@ 31/20, free £25 bet wins £63.75)
A rather damning start to these tips but even though Greece have been placed in the weakest Euro 2012 group, they are still faced with an uphill task. Hosts Poland will be boosted by their boisterous support, a strong Russia side can count on a plethora of attacking talent and a very experienced Czech Republic outfit can look to Tomas Rosicky to provide plenty of creativity. Greece will set up with one overriding ambition – to defend well. In all likelihood, this will not be enough to mask their lack of a goal threat. Their Euro 2008 campaign was a disaster with three defeats and one goal scored and the same could happen again.
Greece to score under 2.5 goals in Group A (@ 19/20, free £25 bet wins £48.75)
| World Cup Qualifiers - European Zone - Group G | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithuania win | £68.00 | (12/5) | ||
| Draw | £68.00 | (12/5) | ||
| Greece win | £38.00 | (9/10) | ||
Greece struggle for goals at the best of times and despite a strong qualifying campaign in terms of points, they scored the fewest of all the qualifying teams. Greece have only scored more than once in three of their last 15 matches and apart from a 2-0 home win over Croatia, no other side they have played in that sequence are anywhere near the quality they will face in Poland and Ukraine. With goals at such a premium, it is hard to see the Greeks scoring more than twice in Group A.
Greece to score one point in Group A (@ 15/4, free £25 bet wins £118.75)
Having already established that Greece will struggle for points and goals, there is little chance they will win a game (as in Euro 2008). This group is weaker than four years ago and their defensive style and reliance on set-pieces could provide them with a point, possibly against Czech Republic. Three draws in their last five games (all 1-1) provide a good form line but Russia are expected to break down the Greek defences and Poland can expect a win with their partisan crowd behind them. With this in mind, back Greece to gain a single point at 15/4.
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