Euro 2008 betting is well under way now and who would have thought? The sheer luxury of neutrality for English Football betting enthusiasts now able to sit back and watch without the emotional grind of England persistently underachieving and then performing fabulously and then finally blowing it is something I for one certainly didn’t expect. In my new, laid-back state, all of a sudden I’m an expert on every aspect of team selection and tactics and look on managerial and player incompetence with the scorn they deserve.

Of course, a wager or two helps to promote interest and there’s been no shortage of those. In fact, I’ve been banging on for ages about how online betting has totally transformed our approach to betting on a match but it’s only just now that I’ve fully realised the possibilities. There are just such a vast amount of things you can bet on now. I won’t ramble on about the range – just go to any of the many online betting sites and you’ll see for yourself. Right now I’m dead keen on predicting who’s in the lead at half time and full time and, if I get it wrong at any point in the game, I can compensate by going for a score prediction based on what I’ve seen of the teams so far. It’s worked for me so far.

Let’s say, for example, you reckon France will beat Romania but won’t score until the second half. Romania have never beaten France in a competitive match nor have they ever won their opening match in the Euros. Admittedly, half the French team are injured but there’s plenty to draw on including Anelka if Henry is crocked for the duration of the game. So, you’d go Draw/France on the match and, if France scores in the first half then go for a score prediction of 2-0 after 90 minutes. Welcome back, adrenalin!

The other match this evening, Netherlands v. Italy is harder to call. The Dutch have a good range of players to choose from but have yet to gel as a team. The Italians are beginning a return to form after a period in the doldrums but it’s mostly happening in mid-field and their defensive strength is doubtful. Then again, they are Italy and you never know what they’ve got up their sleeve. This will be an interesting match and very revealing for the group and the latter stages of the competition.