Turkey have pluck to surprise hosts in June
I am busy previewing all the groups at Euro 2008 on the sports betting blog Laytheodds.com at the moment. While I was going through the teams I couldn't help noticing the resurgent force of Turkey under Fatih Terim and I really fancy them to get into the quarter-finals.
They have two young players who I have heard particularly good things about - Galatasaray's Arda Turan (14 above) and Fenerbahce's Gokhan Gonul (18) - the outstanding right back who played well against Chelsea recently.
Here's my Euro 2008 betting analysis of Group A - I'll be back with a more in-depth look at these two and several other young players who could make the breakthrough into world class this summer.
Group A (Czech Republic, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey)
To me, this is the second toughest group to come out of last November's draw as it pits World Cup semi-finalists Portugal together with three improving nations with relatively young squads.
Group A could be very tight as three of the four teams are well organised defensively and will not concede goals cheaply. Czech Republic had an outstanding record in qualifying with star goalkeeper Petr Cech beaten only five times in 12 matches, while Portugal and Turkey allowed only 10 and 11 respectively - less than one per match.
Switzerland, however, appear to be leaking goals alarmingly in their friendlies as the 4-0 home defeat to Germany illustrated recently. The Euro 2008 odds on the Swiss have been lengthening as Kobi Kuhn's side are now on a run of four defeats after a struggling England side condemned them to Wembley woe on the back of home losses to Nigeria and the USA.
But Kuhn has been experimenting and, with home advantage, I expect the Swiss to pick up when the tournament begins as they can play without fear of failing to live up to expectations. It helps them that they kick off the tournament against the Czechs, a solid side lacking in creative spark if they are without Tomas Rosicky.
The fitness of the Arsenal midfielder is coach Karel Bruckner's main concern because he has no-one else at his disposal capable of the subtelty of pass or run required to slice open a packed defence. I think the opening game could be, as so many are, a draw.
Turkey take on Portugal later on opening night and the Turks are likely to set up to play on the counter-attack by hoping to draw Luis Felipe Scolari's side out. But it is a tough balancing act to surrender possession to a team containing wizards like Ricardo Quarsema and Cristiano Ronaldo and not come unstuck. I don't feel as though Turkey have the necessary experience to survive and it should be a routine victory for Portugal.
Can the Czechs bounce back with a win against Portugal next ? This could be a disappointing game as Bruckner will be looking for a draw to keep them in the hunt going into the last game against Turkey while Portugal would probably settle for a point if it's still tight after 75 minutes. The referee could be key in this game as Czech Republic will have to stop Portugal's dribblers from getting within range of Cech's goal. Another draw looks to be the best bet, but at what cost for Bruckner's boys? Will they be in suspension trouble for the last game ?
Switzerland will fancy their chances of defeating Turkey in the next Group A tussle, but I believe it will be Fatih Terim who engineers the win with an astute use of his talented squad. Turkey have two or three jokers in their midst who are ideal for exploiting a plodding Swiss defence when they lack the protection of defensive midfielders. Turan, Sahin, Basturk and Nihat could be too canny for the Cantons on a day which I think will effectively eliminate the hosts.
Both matches in the final round of the groups kick off simultaneously and going into these matches I have got Portugal on 4 points, Turkey 3, Czech Republic 2 and Switzerland 1. The Swiss are in a tough position and know nothing less than a win against Portugal will do. Again, I feel as though they will be cannon-fodder for Scolari's men who will be looking to clinch top spot in the section and progress in style. This could be an entertaining game, but ultimately Portugal's class will tell and they will seal their passage.
In the other match, Turkey could be in trouble unless Terim selects a strong side capable of defending their second position. But if the Czechs are depleted they will have every chance of clinching the draw they need - or better, and qualify for the last eight.
They have two young players who I have heard particularly good things about - Galatasaray's Arda Turan (14 above) and Fenerbahce's Gokhan Gonul (18) - the outstanding right back who played well against Chelsea recently.
Here's my Euro 2008 betting analysis of Group A - I'll be back with a more in-depth look at these two and several other young players who could make the breakthrough into world class this summer.
Group A (Czech Republic, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey)
To me, this is the second toughest group to come out of last November's draw as it pits World Cup semi-finalists Portugal together with three improving nations with relatively young squads.
Group A could be very tight as three of the four teams are well organised defensively and will not concede goals cheaply. Czech Republic had an outstanding record in qualifying with star goalkeeper Petr Cech beaten only five times in 12 matches, while Portugal and Turkey allowed only 10 and 11 respectively - less than one per match.
Switzerland, however, appear to be leaking goals alarmingly in their friendlies as the 4-0 home defeat to Germany illustrated recently. The Euro 2008 odds on the Swiss have been lengthening as Kobi Kuhn's side are now on a run of four defeats after a struggling England side condemned them to Wembley woe on the back of home losses to Nigeria and the USA.
But Kuhn has been experimenting and, with home advantage, I expect the Swiss to pick up when the tournament begins as they can play without fear of failing to live up to expectations. It helps them that they kick off the tournament against the Czechs, a solid side lacking in creative spark if they are without Tomas Rosicky.
The fitness of the Arsenal midfielder is coach Karel Bruckner's main concern because he has no-one else at his disposal capable of the subtelty of pass or run required to slice open a packed defence. I think the opening game could be, as so many are, a draw.
Turkey take on Portugal later on opening night and the Turks are likely to set up to play on the counter-attack by hoping to draw Luis Felipe Scolari's side out. But it is a tough balancing act to surrender possession to a team containing wizards like Ricardo Quarsema and Cristiano Ronaldo and not come unstuck. I don't feel as though Turkey have the necessary experience to survive and it should be a routine victory for Portugal.
Can the Czechs bounce back with a win against Portugal next ? This could be a disappointing game as Bruckner will be looking for a draw to keep them in the hunt going into the last game against Turkey while Portugal would probably settle for a point if it's still tight after 75 minutes. The referee could be key in this game as Czech Republic will have to stop Portugal's dribblers from getting within range of Cech's goal. Another draw looks to be the best bet, but at what cost for Bruckner's boys? Will they be in suspension trouble for the last game ?
Switzerland will fancy their chances of defeating Turkey in the next Group A tussle, but I believe it will be Fatih Terim who engineers the win with an astute use of his talented squad. Turkey have two or three jokers in their midst who are ideal for exploiting a plodding Swiss defence when they lack the protection of defensive midfielders. Turan, Sahin, Basturk and Nihat could be too canny for the Cantons on a day which I think will effectively eliminate the hosts.
Both matches in the final round of the groups kick off simultaneously and going into these matches I have got Portugal on 4 points, Turkey 3, Czech Republic 2 and Switzerland 1. The Swiss are in a tough position and know nothing less than a win against Portugal will do. Again, I feel as though they will be cannon-fodder for Scolari's men who will be looking to clinch top spot in the section and progress in style. This could be an entertaining game, but ultimately Portugal's class will tell and they will seal their passage.
In the other match, Turkey could be in trouble unless Terim selects a strong side capable of defending their second position. But if the Czechs are depleted they will have every chance of clinching the draw they need - or better, and qualify for the last eight.
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