With A and B out of the way, we are left with the final two groups and possibly an extra look at some of the more 'interesting Specials bets around. Things like Total Tournament Goals and Red Cards are strange little markets, but there may be some value around, I'll have a check.
Group C
Many people will be looking at this group as an easy draw for Spain and Italy, and I wouldn't really disagree with that myself. Croatia are capable of an upset though, and the Republic of Ireland wont be an easy match for anyone.
Group Winner
As mentioned the odds reflect the fact that Spain are expected to win this group with ease, even with Italy around. I'm not convinced personally about the Spaniards, I think they may be reaching the end of a cycle with the players that won them the last Euro's and the World Cup. They definitely have some good players coming through again though, so they wont be worrying too much. I think the problem will be goals for them. With Xavi and Iniesta around they will no doubt dominate possession in every match they play, but they lack a cutting edge. The likes of Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo have had good seasons, but do not necessarily fit in to Spain's national style. With David Villa fit and firing he has been Spain's main man, but has missed almost the entire season for Barcelona and looks very unlikely to play. His cutting in and interplay were very much part of the Barcelona/Spain axis that served them so well, he's a huge miss. I would imagine they'll find a way to beat Ireland and Craotia though, so they're finishing top.
Back Spain at 1.62 with Boylesports.
To Finish Bottom
This market will probably be decided by whoever wins the match between Ireland and Croatia in the first round of fixtures. I think this gives Ireland a bit more of a chance, but only because I expect Croatia to start the tournament with Eduardo up front, before making way for the in-form Nikola Jelavic. That being said though, Ireland will not be set up to score, and don't really possess much attacking threat anyway. They still heavily rely on Robbie Keane and Damien Duff, and both of their best days were around 5 years ago now. I would foresee a dire match, but I fancy Croatia to possibly snatch it, or at least get something from Italy, which I don't see Ireland doing.
Back Ireland at 1.8 with BWin.
Straight Forecast
I think there's room for a straight prediction of 1st/2nd in this group with the teams involved. Italy have been moved out in the odds thanks to an undeniable drop in standards, culminating in their awful showing in the last World Cup. However comma since then they have improved. Mario Balotelli is more than capable of being a star of the entire tournament if his head is right, and in the returning Antonio Cassano they have the invention that is often missing from Italian sides. You also have the oft-hyped Sebastian Giovinco finally delivering on his promise. The defence will be as solid as ever, and Gianluigi Buffon has also had his best campaign in years in the season just gone. All this makes it look to me like Croatia and Ireland are in for a very tough time.
Back Spain 1st/Italy 2nd at 2.8 with Paddy Power.
Group D
This is the one you've all been waiting for no doubt, England's group! It's similar in in terms of no standout sides to Group A I think, with Sweden, France and joint hosts Ukraine also in the pot.
Group Winner
As I've said I think this could well be a tight group. I would imagine England, Sweden and Ukraine will all pack their midfields and hope to profit from odd chances created by a small group of forwards. I really wanted Roy Hodgson to finally cast off the last of the Golden Generation, but sadly he has not. I think England's best chance would come with an admittance they can't compete technically with an awful lot of sides and reverting to an in-your-face style with players willing to put their ego's aside and play for the team as a whole. With the likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and John Terry still around though I fail to see this happening. I think they'll struggle, let alone win the group. The choice for me is a France side who are rebuilding after a terrible recent spell internationally. They are certainly not the Thierry Henry vintage, but they possess players in-form and confident. Yohann Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa have had superd seasons for Newcastle and will be keen to show off to a wider audience. Oliver Giroud gives them a striker on top of his game and playing for a big move, and the defence is solid, if not brilliant.
Back France at 2.8 with Boylesports.
To Finish Bottom
This is actually tougher than you'd think. Ukraine on paper should struggle to get a point, but hosts always seem to do better than expected in these things. Saying that though South Africa struggled in the World Cup, as did Austria in the last Euro's. I would imagine Ukraine will as ever be set up very defensively so as to avoid embarrassment, but they'll need to have something attacking wise if they're to gain more than a couple of draws. Their hope lies in the other sides all taking points off each other, not unlikely, and them sneaking a win, much more unlikely. The bookies actually have Sweden as favs for this market, and that can only be due to Ukraine's home advantage. Sweden will always be well-drilled and tough to beat, and in Ibrahimovic they possess a match winning striker. I said it was a tough one, it would appear I lied!
Back Ukraine at 3.2 with Stan James.
Dual Forecast
I'm going to take a long shot for this one. I will add the caveat that I'm doing it only because I think England are under-priced as ever so this is a value bet for me. I think France are standouts in the group so their involvement in my selection is the easy choice. As mentioned I think Ukraine are dire so they're out. This leaves England and Sweden, and I would expect the match between them to decide it. England, in my opinion, are actually unfortunate that they have their easiest match last. Wayne Rooney is the one arguably world class forward they possess who is in any sort of form and he will not be available to them for the match against Sweden. I can see Sweden frustrating England in the match, and I'd fancy Ibrahimovic against John Terry/Gary Cahill to get a goal.
Back France/Sweden at 8.0 with BODOG.
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