Euro 2012 betting preview - Group D - England 1/2

In this Euro 2012 betting preview article we take a look at the last of the teams in group D, namely England. Group D is not an easy group to advance from, with especially France being the team to beat, but also Ukraine and Sweden can prove difficult for the English side. England are in a bit of turmoil, Fabio Capello stepped down due to a disagreement with the England FA in February even though he had qualified with ease. The FA recently announced the appointment of Roy Hodgson, which sparked some not-so-positive reactions from the media and public.

Qualification

In qualifying for Poland/Ukraine England were drawn in quite a difficult group. They faced Switzerland, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Wales. England did, however, not disappoint and qualified unbeaten, only conceding 5 goals in 8 games. England's biggest problem will be the two-match suspension for star man Wayne Rooney (after getting a straight red card for lashing out at a Montenegro player).

Euro 2012 betting odds

Most UK bookmakers are afraid to lay England because they fear huge liabilities. 13.0 (Pinnacle) is available if you think they can win the tournament. 2.80 (Boylesports) is available for them to win Group D. And if you think they can qualify from Group C you can get 1.53 with Coral. If you don't fancy them to qualify from Group D get to Paddy Power for their 2.75.

Some top goalscorer odds (goals in qualifying matches in brackets):

• Wayne Rooney (3 goals in 7 matches), 41.0 top tournament scorer, 6.00 top England scorer.
• Ashley Young (3 goals in 7 matches), 81.0 top tournament scorer, 8.00 top England scorer

Odds on the fixtures:

• France v England (Donetsk).      Best odds: 3.00 3.25 2.75
• Sweden v England (Kiev).          Best odds: 3.50 3.60 1.95
• England v Ukraine(Donetsk).      Best odds: 2.10 3.40 4.00

Betting analysis: England always flatter to deceive, they regularly make it out of groups, but usually fall flat and bow out. In order to avoid meeting Spain in the quarter finals, they have to top the group (odds 2.80 Boylesports). We think they can top the group, but see a possible cagey draw with France (available odds 3.25) in the opening game. If they do top the group that could see them facing a quarter final with Italy or possibly Croatia, and England can beat both of these sides. But then Germany await England, and we all know how that usually ends! Odds available on England to be eliminated at semi final stage is 5.00 with Skybet.

England Euro 2012 team sheet

Below we give you our rundown on the key men in the English squad, those players we expect the most of and that really need to step up and remain sharp for the whole tournament, if England is to have any chance of going all the way.

Key Men: Goalkeeper

Joe Hart (Man City) 17 caps, 0 goals. Hart is England's best goalkeeper by a mile. He has great agility, good positioning, and is an excellent shot stopper. In addition he is a good organiser and makes few mistakes. Will remain the England keeper for a long time. Only negative side with him is his reluctance to come for crosses.

Key Men: Defence

Ashley Cole (Chelsea) 93 caps, 0 goals. Cole is probably the best left back in world football, being a really fast and excellent reader of the game. He is rarely caught off guard, and also has really good stamina and can pose a threat offensively. Rather surprisingly, he hasn't scored at national level.

Joleon Lescott (Man City) 14 caps, 0 goals. Lescott is a player in form and has had an excellent season. As a player he is really commanding, pacey and very good in the air. Quite flexible, in addition to playing central defender he can also play left back.

John Terry (Chelsea) 72 caps, 6 goals. Terry is the team's first choice as central defender. He is a first-rate defender, highly committed and brave, and a great reader of the game, having sound technique and distribution of the ball.

Gary Cahill (Chelsea) 8 caps, 2 goals. Cahill is a strong, fast and composed player. He is good in the air and very dangerous in opposing box, having many key goals under his belt. Downside is that he hasn't had much experience, and can be found out of position a lot. UPDATE: Cahill has now been ruled out of Euro 2012, due to a double fracture of his jaw, replacing him will be Liverpool's full-back Martin Kelly. This follows the loss of Barry and Lampard, also due to injuries, and will further weaken the English side.

Conclusion so far:

No defender can really be guaranteed a place in the team, even Ashley Cole will be under threat after Leighton Baines had another excellent season. All the defenders are however very capable players, and pace is all over the back line. The English side only conceded 5 goals in qualifying, and will be hoping to keep things tight in the finals.

Next up in our Euro 2012 betting preview of England we will cover the midfield and attacking players, stay tuned!