The latest round of Euro 2012 qualifiers are coming up in early June, and this time next year the teams will be preparing to do battle in Poland and Ukraine, but who are the main contenders for next year’s tournament, and the outsiders to watch?
The Favourites
Holland
The World Cup runners-up have continued to progress since losing to Spain in South Africa and are one of three teams with a 100% record. The Netherlands are the top goalscorers in qualifying, to date, with 21 goals in six Group E fixtures.
Bert van Marwijk’s men have brought the best out of two Premier League strikers, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie, while Klass-Jan Huntelaar tops the scoring charts in qualifying with with eight goals.
The defence is still the main concern for those following the Netherlands, but they will be firm contenders next summer.
Outright Betting – Holland 13/2
Spain
The defending champions have eased through the qualifying campaign so far and top Group I. Spain have had some worrying moments though, with a hard-fought 3-2 win at Hampden Park, and then falling behind at home to the Czech Republic before clinching a 2-1 success.
They will undoubtedly be the team to beat again next summer, but the goalscoring department will their concern. David Villa has endured a tough end to the La Liga season, while Fernando Torres has scored just once since his £50million move from Liverpool in January. There is still plenty of time to put that right though!
Outright Betting – Spain 7/2
Germany
The young side that impressed and surprised so many in South Africa last summer are showing that their World Cup displays were not a flash in the pan. The Germans have won all five matches to date and conceded just one goal so far!
Group A looks one of the tougher groups, with Turkey, Belgium and Austria three of the other five teams, but Germany have taken a firm grip on top spot.
Veteran striker Miroslav Klose continues to bang in the goals, with eight to date, while Manuel Neuer at the other end is arguably the best keeper in Europe.
Outright Betting – Germany 9/2
The Outsiders
England
We say it every two years, but the Three Lions look to have a decent chance of a big tournament in Poland and Ukraine, with a good mixture of experience and youth. Now the ‘Golden Generation’ has been split up somewhat, the pressure may ease on Fabio Capello’s men going into the tournament.
After an appalling showing at last year’s World Cup, Capello has decided to blood some more young stars and the likes of Andy Carroll, Jack Wilshere and Joe Hart are shining in qualifying.
If England can see off Montengero in qualifying – both are on 10 points in Group G – there will be plenty of punters eyeing a big price on the 1996 semi-finalists.
Outright Betting – England 9/1
Russia
The 1988 runners-up are in a tough qualifying group but will fancy their chances of qualification, with four of their remaining five matches at home.
With thousands of Russian fans likely to make the short journey to the finals, their tournament matches will almost feel like home games!
In Dutchman Dick Advocaat, Russia have a shrewd tactician at the helm and they have plenty of firepower going forward, with the likes of Arshavin, Pavlychenko and Pogrebnyak.
Outright Betting – Russia 20/1
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