Low-scoring affair in prospect as England meet France in opener

England kick off their Euro 2012 campaign against France on Monday, and at 10/11, the standout bet seems to be for the match to feature two or three total goals.

Of the last nine meetings between the sides, no match has reaped in excess of three strikes, and six of those games have ended with two or three goals being scored.

The most recent clash ended 2-1 in France’s favour, back in late 2010, whilst the same result occurred the last time the nations clashed at a major international tournament.

That was in Portugal at Euro 2004, where Zinedine Zidane’s penalty proved the difference between the teams.

Meanwhile, the recent form of either side would suggest that whilst goals seem a likelihood on Monday, they may not be in great abundance.

Of France’s last 11 matches, nine have ended with three or less goals being registered, whilst two or three total strikes were recorded in five of these outings.

Similarly, nine of England’s 12 games dating back to last year saw the net bulge three or less times, with two or three total goals the outcome in a third of these fixtures.

The Three Lions have demonstrated a stern defensive resolve of late, particularly under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson, recording back-to-back clean sheets under their new boss.

Those two failures to concede were England’s sixth in their last eight games, but in France, they meet a side that has failed to score only once in the same amount of matches.

It could also be worth noting that in France’s last appearance at a European championships, in 2008, their matches featured an average of more than two goals per game, but less than three, as they suffered a first round exit.

England missed out on that tournament, but under the more conserved approach of Hodgson, look good to partake in a match featuring two to three goals in their Euro 2012 opener at 10/11.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.