UEFA EURO 2016: Group C betting preview

Making one of these four favourites for Group C was a seemingly easy task for bookmakers, and it is World Champions Germany who’ve have been installed as the 1/3 favourites to win this group. Poland’s chances seem almost as small as Ukraine’s and not many can envisage Northern Ireland making the top two let alone finishing first. However is the discrepancy in price between the Germans and the Polish correct? The fact that the pair were separated by only one single point in qualifying group suggests that it’s not.

Germany

As both the current World Cup holders and one of the most successful teams in Euros history, the Germans are surely ready to win this tournament after two close attempts in 2008 and 2012. Joachim Low has in his ranks a good combination of young and experienced players, many of whom lifted the World Cup two years ago. The team is based on a strong spine of Bayern Munich players: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze, all of whom come into these finals in good form after lifting both the Bundesliga and German Cup titles this season. 15 out of 23 players in this side play in the Bundesliga. Although three of their main midfield players –  Kroos, Ozil and Khedira all ply their trade overseas with Madrid, Arsenal and Juventus. Ozil finished as the top assistant in the Premier League this season, while Tony Kroos won the Champions League with Real Madrid. Sami Khedira also got his hands on some silverware as Juventus won the league and cup double. The combination of creativity and vision that these three are able to showcase means that the Germans certainly shouldn’t go hungry when it comes to goal scoring chances.

Full team preview here.

Ukraine

Ukraine had never participated in a European Championships until qualifying by default as the host nation in 2012. Mykhaylo Fomenko’s team have made it to the finals on merit this time around, just about. Having finished third in the qualifying group, they secured their place in France via a play-off win against Slovenia. Unlike years gone by they don’t have and real top-players like Shevchenko, but they do have a number of good players who seem to be on the up. Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko are two names that spring to mind and these two will surely be key. Konoplyanka comes into this tournament after a Europa League winning season and is only one of five players in this squad who represents a non Ukrainian club. Fomenko’s squad is largely otherwise formed of players from the country’s top two teams – Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk. The Kyiv team won the domestic title this year while Shakhtar reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, so we can’t doubt their quality. But, with respect, it would be fair to say that they are not quite up to the standard of both Germany and Poland. And It would seem as if the Ukrainians are fighting with Northern Ireland for third place.

Full team preview here.

Poland

It is Poland who can indeed challenge favourites Germany for that coveted top spot. Biale Orly have what is arguably their strongest team ever and with ultimate goalscorer Robert Lewandowski leading the line they look capable of posing a threat to anyone. Additionally they also have plenty of talent elsewhere on the field, with many of these players playing for some of Europe’s top clubs. This time around they look to have a real chance of progressing to the latter stages, unlike their two previous Euros (2008, 2012) where they were halted at the group stages. And maybe this time they’ll try to leave the Germans behind – something that they came close to doing in qualifying. Overall Poland are a tough-minded side who’re especially adept in attack with Lewandowski, Blaszczykowski and Zielinski.

Full team preview here.

Northern Ireland

This Northern Ireland team have already reached a historic landmark by qualifying for this tournament for the first time ever. Maybe their qualification group wasn’t the strongest but you can only beat what is in front of you and they did the job well enough. Michael O’Neill has done well with a group of players that you wouldn’t necessarily associate with this level of European football. The fact that Johnny Evans is their key player illustrates this point. However the West Brom defender has been the main man in this side and has formed the basis of a strong defence, a defence which allows the Green and Whites to play on the counter. They’ve done well in getting this far and although they might not be pushovers it would be fair to say that they are expected to fall short of the standard required in this group.

Full team preview here.

Verdict

Germany are of course the favourites , but there is no value in backing them. The bet that does make appeal is the straight forecast of Germany/Poland t odds of 7/4. The Bundesteam look to have more than enough quality to win this group, but Poland, who also have a strong squad, shouldn’t be far behind. The fight will then be on between Ukraine and Northern Ireland for what could be an all important third place, as, under the new rules, this could be enough to progress to the next round.