Spain face tough test

Sports betting: EURO 2012 has reached the nitty gritty stage and it’s Germany who look the strongest team.

The Germans, who started the tournament as 3-1 second favourites, are now at the head of the market at a best-priced 17-10.

They take on Italy – conquerors of England, tomorrow night – and are 10-11 shots to reach the final in 90 minutes, with the draw at 5-2 and the Azzurri 4-1.

Spain play Portugal tonight and with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting top form are no certainties to justify 20-21 favouritism to triumph in normal time.

This one could end in a draw at 9-4 and if you fancy Portugal you can get 18-5 for your money.

Spain are the tournament second favourites at 7-4, with the other two nations on 6-1.



ENGLAND’S cricketers are mighty difficult to beat on home soil, so it is surprising that the bookies bet so closely in the five-match, one-day series against Australia, which starts at Lord’s on Friday.

Admittedly, the Aussies have some bright young talent in the likes of batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and bowler Clint McKay.

They also boast a couple of seasoned campaigners in skipper Michael Clarke and fast bowler Brett Lee, but are these guys really 50-50 to beat England over here as their odds of even money for the five-match series suggests? I think not and expect England, winners of their last six ODI series on home turf, to triumph comfortably. Go for the 5-1 on offer.



RECOMMENDATION: England to beat Australia 4-1, 5-1 (Blue Square, Ladbrokes).