Euro 2008 Betting Analysis from PinnacleSports
31th May 2007, 19:10
The Ukraine was recently appointed as joint hosts of the 2012 European Championships along with neighbours Poland. The decision, regarded as an important step forward for the former Soviet Republic, was greeted with celebrations in Kiev, but puts extra pressure on the current side to progress to next year’s finals in Austria and Switzerland. Check out www.PinnacleSports.com for the Ukraine’s crucial next game away to France – with Euro 2008 odds at up to 60% better than traditional bookmakers.
Ukraine Defending Group B Top Spot in Paris
Ukraine currently occupy top spot in Euro 2008 group B, but their lead is slender with Scotland and France also on 12 points, and World Champions Italy poised on 10 points. The forthcoming round of fixtures could quickly rearrange the current standings, particularly as the Ukraine face a tough trip to Paris, without captain, Andriy Shevhcenko, and the influential pairing of Serhiy Rebrov and Artem Milevskiy.
The game in the French capital is one of three key remaining games for the yellow and blues, along with the return leg in Kiev and the home game against Italy. Though the Ukraine progressed to the final eight of the 2006 World Cup, they were tamely beaten 3-0 by Italy, underlining the suspicion that they are not capable of taking on top class opposition. Oleg Blokhin has a talented squad at his disposal, but they lack a belief in their abilities which is undermined even more with the absence of Sheva and the dependence on several players lacking recent match practice.
The World Cup runners-up will certainly provide a real test at the Stade de France, but they are also suffering from a string of critical injuries. Captain and talisman, Thierry Henry, has been out of action for a number of months, along with strike-partner Louis Saha. The pair were recently joined by another pillar of Les Bleus, Patric Viera, injured in a Coppa Italia game for Inter Milan and experienced defender, Willy Sagnol. Coach, Raymond Domenech, has reacted by calling up two uncapped players, Jimmy Briand and Bakary Sagna to provide the necessary cover.
Though suffering from the absence of key attacking players, the French appear solid in defence, having kept clean sheets in four of their last five games. France have won four of their five qualifiers to date with the only blot on their Euro 2008 campaign coming from the defeat by Scotland in Glasgow. However, the current spate of injuries could leave the French vulnerable if the Ukrainians can discover a new strength on the road. www.PinnacleSports.com make France favourites 1.943 (-1) with Ukraine 1.980 (+1).