Euro 2016 predictions: Spain and Belgium set to paint France red

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Red is a colour that evokes a whole range of emotions from fury to desire to love. To further add some fascination to it, it was used as an acronym (Retired & Extremely Dangerous) in a Hollywood blockbuster. Today in France, we’re going to see two teams that have adopted the colour and maybe their own acronym (Ready & Extremely Dangerous), file out for their opening matches of EURO 2016.

Three-time Champions, Spain, will head into their opener against the Czech Republic today with their sights firmly set on a three-peat of European Championship wins and with the dominance of their domestic teams on the continent this season, who can bet against them?

That being said, it will be pertinent to note that in all three triumphs of the Spanish National team at the EUROS, none has ever happened in a year where a domestic club claimed the continent’s biggest club trophy, the UEFA Champions’ league. This will be their tenth appearance at the competition and just like the Germans; they would like to be the first team to win it four times.

This present Spanish team does not elicit the same kind of awe and fear that the previous teams of the last two championships did and the reason is simple; this team doesn’t have the same kind of midfield brilliance and attacking firepower the previous teams had. Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vazquez, Aritz Aduriz and Nolito, who have a combined total of 25 caps and 8 goals between them, will be leading the line for the Spaniards at this tournament, so it’s obvious to see why defenders won’t be shaking in their boots. With the international retirement of midfielders Xavi and Xabi Alonso and the non-inclusion of Juan Mata and Santi Carzola, in the squad has a gaping hole in the middle.

It is not all doom and gloom for Spain as they still have the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, David Silva and Pedro Rodriguez to call upon, while the emergence of Thiago and Koke show that there’s still talent abound for ‘la furia roja’. One department where they will definitely not be lacking will be the goalkeeping department, with two of the best goaltenders in the game, Iker Cassilas and David De Gea, competing for a starting berth.

Defensively, you could argue that they are just about as good as any other team in the tournament with the likes of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Juan Fran, Cesar Azpilicueta , Marc Bartra and Hector Bellerin(the youngest member of the squad at 21) to call upon. This Spanish side might not be as talented as previous ones, but write them off at your own risk.

Belgium has been tipped by many to go all the way in their fifth appearance at the European Championships and few can argue against this celebration as the team is packed to the brim with talent in every department of the pitch. The biggest issue the Belgians will have will be how Marc Wilmots plans to set his team out. The Captain of the side, Vincent Kompany, will not be at this tournament, due to injury, but Belgium already have a formidable central defensive partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. The Tottenham duo have blossomed, playing together at club level. However, Wilmots consistently refuses to partner them in center defense for the national team. He prefers to play Toby as a right back and Vertonghen as a left back, but with the absence of Kompany, one of them might get to play in the position with either Jason Denayer or Thomas Vermaelen.

The midfield and attack of this team can arguably said to be the best in the competition, with a list comprising Radja Nainggolan, Axel Witsel, Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembélé, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Yannick Carrasco, Dries Mertens, Divock Origi, Christian Benteke and Michy Batshuayi, it would be hard to fault that line of thought. Their first game comes up tonight against the Italians and how they fare against the ultra-defensive Azzuris might show us what to expect from them for the rest of the championship.

All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo in France, as the three-time world footballer of the year, gets ready to lead the Selecção das Quinas in their quest for a maiden major football title. The 31 year old appears to be refreshed after being given a week off by manager Fernando Santos following the Champions League final, to recover from his exertions with Real Madrid. Ronaldo recently scored twice in a 7-0 thumping of Estonia in a warm up, taking his international tally to 58 goals. He is his country’s record scorer and will equal Luis Figo’s record of 127 caps, when he leads the Portuguese out against Iceland tomorrow night. An International title with Portugal remains the only thing missing from his stellar collection of laurels.

My betting tips today will cover the five matches that will be played between today and tomorrow, so for a chance to win big, this is where you should concentrate on.

In the first game, Spain will take on the Czech Republic and the Spaniards have a hundred percent record against the Czech, so the smart money will be on an outright win or double chance for Spain, while for the chance of an upset you can go with the Czech for a win. In terms of goals, a bet of over 2.5 will pay well. Ireland and Sweden will square off in the second game and for this one, putting your money on Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score seems like a good bet. They have played three matches between them and have each won one, drawn one and lost one. I would also advise a double chance bet on Sweden.

In tonight’s final match, Belgium will tackle Italy and this is arguably the match of the day. The Italians haven’t beaten the Belgians since 2008 and have lost the last two fixtures to the ‘red devils’, so on that note and with the form of Belgium, I will advise on a bet of an outright win or double chance on the Belgians. Goals are not guaranteed in matches involving Italy, which will mean that a bet of over 2.5 goals, while risky, will pay out well.

There will be two matches tomorrow, and the first would involve Eastern European neighbours, Austria and Hungary. This one looks like it has a draw written all over it and that is how I would advise you to bet. Betting on goals in this game will be very tricky and I will advise on a bet of under 2.5 goals. The final match in the first round of games will be between Portugal and Iceland, for this one, my first bet would be on Cristiano Ronaldo scoring, while a double chance for Portugal would follow and finally a bet on over 2.5 goals.

These are my tips for today, so visit www.bonanzawin.com to place your bets and make yourself richer.