TFT Issue 424!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
France vs England – France to win at 7/5.
Today’s featured game is the rivalry match between France and England.
The bookies have this down as a close game between two footballing giants. I can understand that, really – both have lots of big names in their respective squads and both have match-winners in their ranks.
However, France have played with great confidence under Blanc for some time now. They’ve got a lot of belief and a lot of attacking talent in their squad. Their defence can be vulnerable but their attack is lethal. Ribery is one of the best wingers in the world and Bezema isn’t far from being one of the top strikers in the world. Throw into the mix Valbuena, Nasri, Menez, Ben Arfa, and Cabaye and Blanc is spoilt for choice as to who to select for this game. Blanc’s tried to dampen the pressure on his team lately by saying that they’re “anxious” but I don’t buy it. Blanc always instills confidence and belief in his teams and this one is no exception. France aren’t the most cohesive of sides just yet but they’ve got the necessary firepower to score goals at will and thus when they do get the chance, they tend to make it count.
Can you say the same for England? No, not really. Much like France, England lack in cohesion but unlike France, England are a very defensive side under Hodgson. They work hard enough but struggle to keep the ball. England struggle to create chances as about two of their players can actually beat a man and England are especially vulnerable at right-back where the lethal Ribery patrols. England miss Rooney for this game through suspension which is always going to be a hefty blow, but with Barry, Ferdinand, and Lampard all out too, I find it hard to envision England doing anything here. English press always heap pressure on England and the weight of expectation is always upon them too, which tends to leave England devoid of confidence for either part or all of the game. England have pace on the counter-attack and can be clinical but it really does depend on their mood.
For me, this game is a bit of a men vs boys encounter, to be honest, France look to be much stronger and much more confident than England right now and thus odds of 7/5 appeal to me for the French win although I expect a pretty scrappy game and I doubt either side will impress much.
Verdict: France to win at 7/5. Why not bet on this game now at William Hill?
Additional game
Ukraine vs Sweden – Sweden to win with draw no bet at evens.
Treat this game with extreme caution because they’re two well-matched sides and there are question marks over both sides. For example, you don’t know how true the rmours are about the illness sweeping through the Ukrainian camp and you don’t know how the Swedish will play as they’re a very hot-and-cold side.
Ukraine are apparently missing players here with the afore-mentioned illness although I’d recommend waiting to see the line-up before deciding whether to take this tip or not. Rumour has it that Tymoschuk is amongst the casualties and if he’s out then Ukraine lack a leader in midfield and they lack a ball-winner, which is a big deal for them. They’re not particularly cohesive and although they have some excellent strikers, they have to be at their best to create chances and if they’re missing players then they won’t be at their best. Ukraine’s defence is vulnerable without the absent Chygrynskyi too, not to mention with their erratic goalkeepers.
Sweden have looked strong in attack heading into this tournament. Ibrahimovic has excelled in his role behind the front man and Sweden have attacked with real purpose, scoring goals almost at will. Their defending has been less than convincing, however, and only Mellberg has any idea what he’s doing back there. The inexperience alongside him doesn’t help either, nor does the potential absence of Isaksson.
Still, Sweden do have a more consistent attacking threat than hosts Ukraine and if Ukraine are missing the players that are reported to be out then taking Sweden to win this game with draw no bet at evens looks tempting.
Verdict: Sweden to win with draw no bet at evens. Why not bet on this game now at William Hill?
Team news
European Championships:
Sweden – Isaksson, Elmander, and Rosenberg are doubts.
Ukraine – No news.
England – Rooney is absent.
France – No news.
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
JJK Jyvkaslya – No news.
KuPS Kuopio – Zahovaiko, Holopainen, and James are absent. Puri, Purje, and Koljonen return.