Euro 2008 Betting Preview

 Both Co-Hosts in Action on Wednesday Night

With qualification for Euro 2008 concluded toward the end of last year, we are well and truly into the countdown for the tournament in Switzerland and Austria, starting June 7th. As part of the gradual build-up to the summer showdown, this Wednesday sees a huge raft of international friendly matches, featuring the 16 European teams seeking glory at Euro 2008. PinnacleSports.com have priced Germany as 5.04 favourites in an outright market offering punters up to 60% better Euro 2008 betting odds. Check out PinnacleSports.com’s comprehensive coverage of the midweek international friendlies with Asian Handicap markets priced to just 102%.

Capello Faces First Game in Charge as England Take on Euro 2008 Hosts

On Wednesday night Fabio Capello takes charge of his first game as coach of the English national football team, a first step that long suffering England fans will hope leads to glory at the World Cup in 2010. That goal is a long way over the horizon, with qualification not beginning until September, so this game serves as a chance for Capello get to grips with his players, while for opponents Switzerland it is an important warm-up for Euro 2008. As co-hosts the Swiss avoided the rigours of qualification, but will lack the sharpness that truly competitive games provide, and in this particular circumstance will encounter an intense atmosphere at a packed Wembley Stadium welcoming its new messiah.

One player the Swiss definitely won’t face is David Beckham, who has been denied his 100th cap due to a lack of match fitness. Becks was omitted from Capello’s 23 man squad, which included few other surprises. Capello is without Chelsea duo of Frank Lampard and John Terry, so will have to pass the captain’s armband on. Switzerland coach, coach Jakob Kuhn is without the services of experienced strikers, Marco Streller and Alexander Frei, blooding 19 year old Eren Derdiyok, who has only played at under-21 level. The Swiss are 21.89 outsiders with PinnacleSports.com for Euro 2008, and would be much longer were it not for home support and kind draw. The teams were drawn together in the group stages of Euro 2004 when England were easy 3-0 winners, and the last time Switzerland won this fixture was in 1947. PinnacleSports.com make England favourites 1.917 (-1) with Switzerland 2.010 (+1) – a market priced to less than 102%.

Austria Hosts Next-Door Neighbours for Key Euro 2008 Tune-Up

Despite the advantages of home support Euro 2008 co-hosts, Austria, are the rank outsiders for the event, priced at 83.82 with PinnacleSports.com. It would be an even bigger shock than when Greece won four years ago, were the Austrians to go all the way. On Wednesday night Austria face tournament favourites, and neighbours, Germany, in a key warm-up game. PinnacleSports.com have the Germans as 5.04 favourites in an outright market priced to just 112%, compared to 130-140% at traditional bookmakers!!!

This is one of four remaining games that Austria coach, Josef Hickersberger, has to try to build the confidence of his much maligned team. Hickersberger has stuck to a policy of relying on youth rather than experience, but young Austrian talent is very thin on the ground. At least he has buried the hatchet with Middlesbrough defender, Emanuel Pogatetz, who is one Austria’s most recognised and experienced players. By comparison, German coach, Joachim Low, has an embarrassment of riches in a squad that is widely tipped to go all the way to the final in Vienna on June 29th. Michael Ballack is recovered from injury and showing excellent form with Chelsea, while the home based players should be fresh having recently returned from their six week winter break. The Austrians should be lifted by fervent home support against their rivals, but history, favours the Germans who have recorded emphatic wins in the last three meetings amounting to an aggregate score of 14-4. Germany qualified for Euro 2008 as easy winners of Group A, while Austria have won just one of their last twelve games, despite modest opposition. PinnacleSports.com make Germany favourites 1.943 (-1) with Austria 1.980 (+1).

Best Euro 2008 Odds at PinnacleSports.com!