We're entering the final stages of Euro 2012 qualifying with the 1st legs of the playoffs on Friday, the importance of not falling too far behind for the return leg can lead to paralysing games with both sides being unwilling to commit but there are a couple of ties where the home sides will feel the need to push forwards & attack before facing tough away games. We've picked out the best bets in the Bosnia v Portugal & Czech Republic v Montengro games.
Bosnia-Herzegovina face Portugal in Zenica's Olympic Stadium for the first leg of their Euro 2012 Qualifying Play-off. They also met in the play-offs for a spot in the 2010 World Cup (South Africa), with Portugal qualifying 2-0 on aggregate after 1-0 victories in both matches. Bosnia are trying to earn a spot in their first major tournament since becoming an independent nation in 1992. They were 12 minutes away from automatic qualification when a Samir Nasri penalty kick meant France gained the spot ahead of them, whilst Portugal blew their chance of automatic qualification on the final round of fixtures after a 2-1 defeat to Denmark & luckily only reached the play-offs on goal difference after finishing with identical head-to-head records with Norway.
Bosnia coach Safet Susic knows the importance of a victory, quoting "How can we aim for a victory in Lisbon if we cannot win at home?" but he has to deal with a defensive crisis with regular starters Sasa Papac & Boris Pandza both suspended and Mensur Mujdza sidelined through injury. So Susic will expect attacking midfield trio Miralem Pjanic, Zvjezdan Misimovic & Senad Lulic and lone striker Edin Dzeko to prove that attack is the best form of defence. Portugal have received mixed team news this week with Danny & Silvio ruled out but Hugo Almeida and Real Madrid duo Fabio Coentrao & Pepe returning. Plus they have the added bonus of star player Cristiano Ronaldo coming into the match on the back of a hat-trick last weekend (17 goals in 17 games this season) and will hope his goals keep flowing. Picking the winner of the match is a difficult one but taking the team news into account the 11/10 on offer for both teams to score seems a solid betting proposition.
The other qualifying playoff of interest comes in the Czech Republic's clash at home to tough opponents Montenegro in a match that the Czech's will feel they have to win in order to gain advantage before travelling to Podgorica for the 2nd leg. This is only Montenegro's 2nd attempt to qualify for a major international competition after the 2010 World Cup & they have impressed hugely for supposed minnows & finished 2nd in England's group, they haven't won in their last 5 games though & carrying confidence is important when coming into a match like this. The Czech Republic have meanwhile 2 of their last 3, spanking Lithuania & Ukraine, whilst the loss was against Spain (so basically doesn't count as it wasn't against normal humans). At odds of 3/4 with William Hill the Czech Republic to win looks a decent proposition, the best other bet in the game is for attacking left back Michal Kadlec to open the scoring at 25/1 & to score anytime at 7/1 - he's scored 5 times for the side including 4 times in the last 4 games & he scored the last minute penalty to wreck Scotland's hopes.
Selections:
Both teams to score in the Bosnia & Portugal game at 11/10 with Ladbrokes
Czech Republic to beat Montenegro at 3/4 with William Hill
Michal Kadlec to score 1st goal in Czech Republic v Montengro game at 25/1 with Paddy Power & 7/1 anytime goalscorer at 7/1 (various)
(Ronaldo, Nani & co will be looking to strike in Portugal's 1st leg against Bosnia)
Bosnia-Herzegovina face Portugal in Zenica's Olympic Stadium for the first leg of their Euro 2012 Qualifying Play-off. They also met in the play-offs for a spot in the 2010 World Cup (South Africa), with Portugal qualifying 2-0 on aggregate after 1-0 victories in both matches. Bosnia are trying to earn a spot in their first major tournament since becoming an independent nation in 1992. They were 12 minutes away from automatic qualification when a Samir Nasri penalty kick meant France gained the spot ahead of them, whilst Portugal blew their chance of automatic qualification on the final round of fixtures after a 2-1 defeat to Denmark & luckily only reached the play-offs on goal difference after finishing with identical head-to-head records with Norway.
Bosnia coach Safet Susic knows the importance of a victory, quoting "How can we aim for a victory in Lisbon if we cannot win at home?" but he has to deal with a defensive crisis with regular starters Sasa Papac & Boris Pandza both suspended and Mensur Mujdza sidelined through injury. So Susic will expect attacking midfield trio Miralem Pjanic, Zvjezdan Misimovic & Senad Lulic and lone striker Edin Dzeko to prove that attack is the best form of defence. Portugal have received mixed team news this week with Danny & Silvio ruled out but Hugo Almeida and Real Madrid duo Fabio Coentrao & Pepe returning. Plus they have the added bonus of star player Cristiano Ronaldo coming into the match on the back of a hat-trick last weekend (17 goals in 17 games this season) and will hope his goals keep flowing. Picking the winner of the match is a difficult one but taking the team news into account the 11/10 on offer for both teams to score seems a solid betting proposition.
The other qualifying playoff of interest comes in the Czech Republic's clash at home to tough opponents Montenegro in a match that the Czech's will feel they have to win in order to gain advantage before travelling to Podgorica for the 2nd leg. This is only Montenegro's 2nd attempt to qualify for a major international competition after the 2010 World Cup & they have impressed hugely for supposed minnows & finished 2nd in England's group, they haven't won in their last 5 games though & carrying confidence is important when coming into a match like this. The Czech Republic have meanwhile 2 of their last 3, spanking Lithuania & Ukraine, whilst the loss was against Spain (so basically doesn't count as it wasn't against normal humans). At odds of 3/4 with William Hill the Czech Republic to win looks a decent proposition, the best other bet in the game is for attacking left back Michal Kadlec to open the scoring at 25/1 & to score anytime at 7/1 - he's scored 5 times for the side including 4 times in the last 4 games & he scored the last minute penalty to wreck Scotland's hopes.
Selections:
Both teams to score in the Bosnia & Portugal game at 11/10 with Ladbrokes
Czech Republic to beat Montenegro at 3/4 with William Hill
Michal Kadlec to score 1st goal in Czech Republic v Montengro game at 25/1 with Paddy Power & 7/1 anytime goalscorer at 7/1 (various)
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