Euro 2012 / Paul Bugeja / 09 June 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

He may love his England side, but Harry Redknapp can see beyond loyalty to betting common sense when it comes to Euro 2012.

Spain have been there and done it at every tournament in the last four years and they can do it all over again in Poland/Ukraine.

Yes, they're favourites, but I'm backing the Spanish to win Euro 2012.

And, I fancy Fernando Llorente to be the man who fires them to a third major tournament victory in a row.

If you want to follow my advice you can back Spain @(3.85) on Betfair and Llorente @(22.0).

Fernando Torres is a shorter price than the Athletic Bilbao forward, but 17 La Liga goals compares very favourably to the Chelsea man's six and I think Llorente can win the battle of the Fernandos.

Uncontroversial, I know, but Germany are surely going to be Spain's nearest challengers and likely final opponents. Sometimes it pays to keep things simple!

Elsewhere, if we're looking for a winner bet, it's the big name teams for me.

It's almost unfair how much attacking talent the Dutch have! Robin van Persie, Klaas Jan Huntelaar (who I tried to sign for Spurs), Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart are just scary and they're worthy third favourites.

There's always a group of death and you have to feel for Portugal in Group B, but they could well be the dark horses in the betting. Cristiano Ronaldo is the second best player in the world, but he has to have a great tournament in him and he could come alive here off the back of Real Madrid's La Liga title win. At (20.0) the layers are taking a big risk.

I'm happy to bypass Italy at this tournament, and I think they might not make it out of Group C. A mate of mine told me he had a bet on Mario Balotelli for top-scorer, but I'm not so sure I'd follow him with that one (editor's note: you can back the Manchester City man@(36.0) to finish top of the pile).

Plenty of people have written off the Republic of Ireland but I think they'll give anyone a game. The knockout stages are realistic - honest! And if they get there we could have an England-Republic of Ireland quarter-final to savour.

That would be lovely, but, I don't see either side winning the whole thing. Once again, Spain are my selection. There's quality right through the squad and even at 3.85 they're a decent enough price for me.

Recommended Betfair Bets
3pts Back Spain to win Euro 2012 @(3.85)
1pt Back Fernando Llorente for top goalscorer @(22.0)