Live on ESPN: Tues 19.05: Croatia are 3/4 at Stan James to win their Euro 2012 play-off 2nd leg against Turkey & Bosnia could stun Portugal
It will now take an almighty effort from Turkey to qualify for Euro 2012 after they were hammered 3-0 by Croatia in the home leg of the pair’s play-off tie. Croatia boss Slaven Bilic insists his side cannot relax ahead of the second showdown in Zagreb but bookies think it’s all over, bwin’s 1/100 the best price about them reaching next summer’s finals.
With all of the pressure now on the visitors, Croatia can play with a certain amount of freedom and they’re odds-on at 3/4 with Stan James to complete the job with a victory on their own patch. Indeed, the job just looks too big for the Turks, who could disintegrate and it would be no surprise if the hosts again prevailed ‘to nil’, a result on offer via Blue Square at 15/8.
More specifically, William Hill chalk 7/1 against a 2-0 Croatia success and scorer of the opener in Istanbul, the consistent Ivica Olic is a tasty 11/2 () to break the deadlock again.
Portugal and Bosnia played out a goalless stalemate in Zenica in the first leg so it’s a case of winner takes all as they renew hostilities in Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz, although a score draw would also be enough to put the visitors through.
Bookies are very confident that the Portuguese are Poland and Ukraine bound next year, Totesport rating them at 4/9 to come out on top but Bosnia, 9/1 outsiders, shouldn’t be written off and at 11/4 (Betfred) they might be worth a modest interest to qualify.
Czech Republic meanwhile, have the upper hand in Montenegro having won the first leg 2-0 and Skybet chalk them up at 23/10 to reach the Euro 2012 finals with a second leg draw.
Recommended Bets:
Croatia to beat Turkey 2-0 – 7/1 (William Hill)
Bosnia to qualify – 11/4 (Betfred)
Compare all Euro 2012 odds and bet at the best price.