Top 5 Best Bets as Euro 2012 begins to take shape

With a wide range of betting markets still on offer regarding Euro 2012, punters now have the benefit of tournament form to study before placing their bets.

That said, it could pay dividends to back some sides who haven’t got off to as good a start in Poland and Ukraine as predicted, as prices about those sides are pushed out.

Spain to win Group C at 4/5

An opening game draw with Italy wasn’t what was expected of defending European champions Spain, though they did show enough in the game to suggest they will be a force in the competition.

After losing their initial group game at the 2010 World Cup before going on to win the tournament, Vicente del Bosque’s men still look well worth investment at 4/5 to beat Italy, Croatia and Ireland in the race to win Group C.

Ukraine to fail to qualify from Group D at 6/5

An Andriy Shevchenko brace was enough to seal victory for joint-host nation Ukraine in their opening tournament match, but with matches against France and England to come, they still face a tough task to qualify.

A score draw between the Three Lions and Laurent Blanc’s side saw impressive showings from either side, and each look to have enough to advance to the knockout phase at Ukraine’s expense.

Robert Lewandowski to be top Poland scorer at 4/7

As for the other joint-host nation, they too could struggle to advance, after drawing their opening group game 1-1 with Greece.

Robert Lewandowski will be key to their chances though, looking a constant threat in that game and opening the scoring to see him top his country’s goal charts with a solitary goal.

He is a generous 4/7 to remain Poland’s top scorer at Euro 2012.

Nikica Jelavic to be top Croatia scorer at 11/4

Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic stole the spotlight in his country’s clash with Ireland, notching a brace en route to a relatively comfortable 3-1 triumph for Slaven Bilic’s men.

Everton’s Nikica Jelavic also found the net though, and with his endeavour and intelligent running sure to reap more chances in Croatia’s remaining games, the former Rangers striker looks good to top score for his country at 11/4.

Mesut Ozil to win Player of the Tournament at 8/1

With Germany expected to go far in Euro 2012, it could be worth backing an integral cog in their side to land the Player of the Tournament award.

Mesut Ozil was named man-of-the-match in the Germans’ opening clash with Portugal, and further displays of a similar nature may see him land the accolade.

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