This pick is motivated by the good price on offer - Ukraine to qualify from Group D is currently available at 2.375 (Sportingbet). A bet on the hosts is always a good bet, especially when they are considered underdogs. In the case of Ukraine, there are a few more arguments that support that view:
- The two "favourites" in Group D are not in their best form - France are still struggling to find their style under Laurent Blanc while England are injury-hit, Rooney's suspended for the first two matches and new manager Hodgson has just stepped in.
- Unlike players from the top leagues, most Ukrainians are not wasted after the long season - most of them play in the domestic championship which is far less intense than - say the English Premier League.
- Pressure is off the co-host - nobody expects them to win the tournament.
- The Ukrainian team is a mix between youth and experience - coach Blokhin can count on veterans like Timoshchuk in midfield, Shevchenko in attack and Shovkovskyi on the goal as well as youngsters like Milevskiy, Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka.
- Finally, there's the Sweden factor - another team that could mix all pre-tournament calculation and turn the group ito a casino roulette. With Sweden on board, one thing is for sure - England will struggle!
Chances are that every game of this Group will be a very close fight and match day form could make the difference between the teams which pretty much will even the chances for all four contenders.
Ukraine faces England in the last match of Group D, which might easily prove to be decisive for both teams.
The whole group is a striking reminiscence of EURO'92 when then-hosts Sweden and future champions Denmark qualified from their group at the expense of ... England and France. Given England's troubles, history might easily repeat itself ...
Having that in mind, odds above 2.20 on Ukraine to qualify look just fine by me and I'm taking that bet gladly ...
bet #4
Group D
Pick: Ukraine - To qualify
Odds: 2.375
Stake: 4 units
bookmaker: Sportingbet
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