Italy Euro 2012 Betting

Italian football looked to have hit its peak in 2006 when they won the World Cup in Germany, so then 2010 had to be when Italian football hit its low point, with an unsanctimonious exit in the group stages at the hands of minnows Slovakia. Italian football at that point looked at a point of crisis, a dramatic clear-out followed with experienced veterans like Fabio Cannavaro and Gianlucca Zambrotta being shipped out to make way for a newer younger team. Players such as bad-boy Mario Ballotelli and defender Davide Santon have been called up to fill the gaps and they will be looking to make a big impression on the international scene. Italy’s history in this tournament is as one might expect a relatively strong one, having won the tournament and finished runners-up.

Italy Euro 2012 odds

After their discernibly poor showing in South Africa it is only understandable that Italy have been priced as 6th favourites to win the title, their odds of 14.0 on Betfair though show good value for a team with star names like Gianluigi Buffon and Alberto Gilardino. Their qualification has started well, in a group that could be looked at as quite a difficult one, as it includes World Cup teams Serbia and Slovenia as well as a young and improving Northern Ireland side. Their odds of 1.05 on Betfair for them to qualify for the finals look skinny although they will still appeal to fans who can see Italy going all the way to the finals.

Italy Euro 2012 best bets

Italian footballers and especially managers are well known for employing extremely defensive tactics. The Italian national squad manager Cesare Prandelli is no exception to this stereotype. Therefore, a bet on any Italian player picking up the Golden Boot at the final is a very optimistic one; however in qualifying they have managed an impressive 10 goals in 4 games whilst conceding only 1. Also when looking at Italian goals in qualifying and in recent internationals it is hard to pin down a player who is their ‘main threat.’ Therefore a bet on Italy conceding the least goals in the tournament or at least keeping the most clean sheets may be a wiser investment on an Italian squad famous for not conceding often.