Euro 2008 betting tips- Russia v Spain Semi-final 2

Thursday sees the remaining semi-final match played.  Before the customary pre-match write up, Euro2008Banter.com can give you exclusive news about the UFO sighting in Wales earlier this month.  Experts at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have confirmed that the UFO was ‘NOT’ the missing World Cup Italia ‘90 match ball from Chris Waddle’s missed penalty kick.  Quoting an MoD source ‘We categorically deny any rumours that this UFO sighting is connected to the missing match ball,  there have been no sightings of the ball since it entered the stratosphere over 17 years ago’. 

Russia v Spain

The teams have played each other 9 times, with Spain winning 5 times and Russia only the one time.  The latest victory for Spain of course came in Euro 2008 with a 4-1 win.   The 1 time Russia beat Spain, was in 1971 with a 2-1 victory.  There’s no doubt that Spain have the more experienced side, Russia have the youngest squad in the whole tournament, averaging at 26 years old.  So these two teams meet again, will this be a repeat of the group game? Or can Russia turn it around?  Russia have improved as the tournament have gone on, whereas Spain have been consistently playing well.  The Russian defence will always be a little suspect to me, especially with the strike duo of Torres and Villa up front for Spain.  But this this match will be different, Arshavin will play and I’m sure Hiddink will try to correct the defensive problems he saw when they last played.  I think that this match will be much closer than before.

Euro 2008 semi final betting tip:  Spain are at quite big odds to win the match at 2.16, considering they beat Russia 4-1 already over a week ago.  I would of thought the odds of over 2.5 goals in this match would be pretty low based on the attacking and free flowing football both teams have played so far, but you can get odds of 2.3 for over 2.5 goals on Betfair.  My heart says to go with Russia the team I backed at the start of the tournament, but my head tells me that Spain will be the ones that qualify at the end of the night….which do I listen to?  Anyone who has backed Russia to win the tournament may want to trade out to get a guaranteed return, or lay Russia to qualify so they don’t lose too much if they go out today.

I’ll be following my heart and backing Russia, surely a quick route to the poor house!!  A small bet on Pavlyuchenko  to score at anytime odds of 3.65 on Betfair.  Also go small on Russia to be winning at half time, odds of 4.8. Although I think it will be a tight game, lets go with over 2.5 goals as it looks value at odds of 2.3.

UPDATE: (Russia 0-3 Spain)- Spain come out deserved winners in this game and were just too good for the Russians.  Russia never came out to play like they did against the Dutch, getting to the final was one step too far for this young squad.  In hindsight I should of traded out my bet of backing Russia to win the tournament to get guaranteed profit, I hope you took my advice!!   The to score at anytime bet never came off and neither did the Russia to lead at half time bet.  Luckily over 2.5 goals were reached and we covered the losses on these fun bets.  A lesson to learn, don’t let your heart rule your head when betting.