Euro 2024 - Thoughts on Group E

 Group E thoughts;

Belgium, I really like Belgium. The previous World Cup was painted as that generations last chance at greatness, presumably nobody informed Jan Vertonghen or Axel Witsel of this as amazingly their still going. Even though some names are gone their are still some of the generation fighting against the dying of the light to compliment the next generation. They excelled in qualification and should top this group, however I see them meeting France in the Quarter finals and should give them a good game.

Players to watch out for:

Jeremy Doku - I've loved this guy for the last few seasons he runs with the ball like no others do.

Lois Openda - Something of a novelty in that he's a good Belgian striker who isn't Romelu Lukaku.

Slovakia, did well in qualifying finishing second to Evil Portugal. A lot of decent players and should push Belgium but I can't see them doing much in the knockout stages.

Players to watch out for:

This team is a squad rather than having a few players of note.

Romania, a team full of players who I'm not familiar with. Having topped their group and not lost they're a team I for one will be keeping an eye on and have my notebook open for.

Ukraine, finished third in their group - pipped by Italy and qualified via the playoffs. A team mostly made up from the Ukraine league and utility players from abroad. Hopefully they can do something to lift their nation.

Players to watch out for:

Vicktor Tsyhankov - Part of a tasty Girona side.

Bets and trades

Belgium to win the group.

Soppy £1.00 on Ukraine to qualify from the group.

Euro 2024 - Thoughts on Group D

Group D thoughts;

Poland, there are three certainties in life - death, taxes and Mexico always getting through to the second round of the World Cup. Thanks to Poland after the last World Cup there are now only two certainties, they must be knocked out or the world will collapse into chaos - the dead will rise, the seas will evaporate and the World hurtle out of its orbit spinning into darkness. Only the Dutch, Austrians and French can save us from this fate.

Players to watch out for:

The opposition as they sweep forward and tonk Poland 10-0.

Netherlands, they did not look too good during qualifying and very nearly tripped up in a few games. However they have a really good decent little squad albeit no quality goal keeper. In defence they have Frimpong, van Dijk, Ake and de Ligt. Midfield of Blind, Gravenberch and Koopmeiners. Plus Brobbey and Gakpo upfront. They have the potential to do very well - especially with the draw if they finish runner up but, instinct says someone will do them or they'll screw it up.

Players to watch out for:

Brian Brobbey - the next potential big thing to come out of Ajax.

Teun Koopmeiners - one of my favourite middle three players currently in football. We will run his legs off and then run a little bit further.

Austria, trying to get excited about Austria is like trying to get excited for a trip to Aldi you might not want to go there but you're probably going to enjoy the results of going. Narrowly pipped for the top spot in qualifying by Belgium - and came back from 3-0 down to finish 3-2 in a game which must have had the Belgium fans tearing their hair out. A team full of journey men and aging pro's, they have a good chance of making the next round, I'd just rather they didn't.

Players to watch out for:

Marko Arnautovic - so tall that he may score a rebound from the moon.

France, imo the favourites its going to take a lot to beat them and whoever does will no doubt knacker themselves and get knocked out in the next round. I can't say anything that you haven't heard before, they walked qualifying and are the team to beat. I don't rate the goal keepers but I rate the defence and midfield in front of them.

Players to watch out for:

Kylian Mbappe - a basic prediction but he'll either rule the tournament or be a good watch as he combusts.

Bets and trades

Low level lay of Poland to qualify.

Back of France to win the group.

Min stakes on France/Austria forecast for Fritz and Giggles.

A group where I'm going to have to sit down and do some thinking as there's a lot of value in this market.   

Euro 2024 - Thoughts on Group C

 Group C thoughts;

Slovenia, qualified in what was the qualifying group of death where even the fourth placed team still got 18 points. Finishing second to the Danes with the same points, more goals scored and a better goal difference they can now enjoy the competition and forget about the Denmark.

Players to watch out for:

Benjamin Sesko - when not captaining Deep Space Nine he has had a very good season for RB Leipzig.

Denmark, oh dear look who just walked into the party wearing the same dress as Slovenia... Lets hope they can have a fun time without having a cardiac arrest like last time. Finished top of a crazy group and they have it in them to get out of this group.

Players to watch out for:

Rasmus Hoijlund - a player more suited to international football than club football.

Skov Olsen - one of those Belgian League players who someone should be taking a chance on.

Serbia, qualified second in their group have looked really good recently and have a squad full of familiar names. Also they've got the mix just right with some crusty veterans mixed with some youngsters. A team I really think can do well and have it in them to cause a shock.

Players to watch out for:

Lazar Samardic - a really bright spark in a dull Udinese side.

Dusan Vlahivic - a really smart striker who should be more well known.

England, this group is going to be England plus one other. They walked qualifying and are deservedly one of the favourites. They will go far, they are a team that for a while have been strong up front and are weaker the further back you go. But if they can stick a young central defender in next to Stones to get experience, get through the left back injury issue and hypnotise Pickford to think he plays for Liverpool instead of Everton they can cope with these issues.

Players to watch out for:

Declan Rice - after a move from West Ham to Arsenal he's gone up a level.

Jude Bellingham - an insane season in La Liga after moving to Real Madrid.

Philbert Foden - ended the season as the form player in the EPL.

Bets and trades

England to win the group.

Min stakes on Serbia to qualify.

Overs on Bookings for that final match of Serbia Vs Denmark which I suspect will be for second place.

Euro 2024 - Group B Thoughts

 Group B thoughts;

Spain? Spain?! Spain!!! Wake up Spain!!! I'm trying to do a preview here and not only have you not announced your squad yet your league season hasn't finished! So if Spain aren't going to make an effort neither am I. Spain...

Players to watch out for:

Whichever of them sets their alarm and turns up.

Croatia, a team made up of players who on reading the squad generate such comments as "is he still going" and "oh I forgot he ever existed." Case in point, Mateo Kovacic has played 46 times for Manchester City last season and my most recent memory of him is getting a yellow card for Inter Milam in 2012. They comfortably qualified, played alright but there's something uninspiring about them. Given Spain may have forgot to put the tournament in their calendar, Italy don't look too good and Albania topped their qualifying group they can get out of this group but I don't expect much from them.

Players to watch out for:

Mario Pasalic - had a really good season.

Luca Modric - appreciate him while he's still here.

Italy, as a Serie A viewer its rather depressing to see how poor Italy look at the moment. No strikers, a rather dull midfield and another crop of defenders over 30. Qualifying was brown trousers time and they look pretty bad. My pick to go out early and spend the rest of the tournament writing a strongly worded email about how they should get a bye to the final.

Players to watch out for:

Giacomo Raspadori - had a really good season for Napoli.

Federico Chiesa - every tournament theres a player who will turn on the style because they want a move, this is that player.

Albania, finished top of their qualifying group by winning only half of their games. They will be viewed as the minnows of this group but don't underestimate them. A dangerous floater for those looking to rest players against them or who forget to set their alarm clock.

Players to look out for:

Jasir Asani - played really well during qualifying.

Berat Djimsiti - another very good Atalanta player.

Bets and trades

Lay overall of Italy.

Otherwise theres not a lot of value in this group.

Minimum stakes lay of Italy to qualify.

If you fancy a fun £1.00 on Croatia to qualify as most people apparently I'd wait for their price to go up a bit. 

Euro 2024 - Group A Thoughts

 Thoughts on Group A;

Surely Germany can't screw this group up? Can they? Well lets have a look. Results wise they've been in friendly limbo with some odd results. Squad wise they look in transition, we have a few 30+ players on the verge of international retirement, a few up and comers (notably from Leverkusen and Stuttgart) and dare I say it a few journeymen who I'm looking at while wondering "how are they in the squad?"

I see them getting through the group although not with ease. There is a very good German 15 in here but I don't think they have the depth to get to the final. I see them going out at the quarter or semi final stage.

Players to watch out for:

Florian Wirtz - the star player of this season Bundesliga, so much of how Germany do depends on him.

Deniz Undav - the form German striker this season.

Kai Havertz - a very good season for Arsenal.

Scotland, Steve Clarke has put together a good squad who didn't just eek into the tournament on the back of some 1-0 wins, they nearly won the group, beat Spain and amazingly scored some goals - they never had a 1-0 victory during qualifying. Hopefully they can take this form into the tournament, odds wise their the outsiders for the group but I'm hoping they can cause some more upsets.

Players to watch out for:

Ncuti Gatwa - good start to his career part of a good partnership on his debut with David Tennant, but needs to concentrate more and stop running into minefields.

Hungary, played some really good stuff comfortably won their group, the goals have been spread around the team and like Scotland look quite good. Bar Dominik Szoboszlai no real big names so lets hope to uncover an unknown gem.

Players to watch out for:

Dominik Szoboszlai - everything about this team revolves through him.

Switzerland, they've played some really good football, scored a lot of goals and generally had a fun time in qualifying. They're often about in the early stages of competitions sometimes knocking out a big name only to go out themselves the next round. Checking my notes aside from Granite Chaka Khan and Yann Sommer there isn't a lot to write home about. In Switzerland I find a team I don't want to do well, I want Hungary or Scotland to get through this group and in order for them to do that they need to get something from Switzerland who are the second favourites in this group.

Players to watch out for:

Remo Freuler - a good all round player whose had an outstanding season for Bologna and someone who I find to be unappreciated.

 

Bets and trades;

My big lay of the tournament is Germany, I think they'll win and I think the host factor is lowering their odds. 5/1 is a good lay as even if they do win I think the price will go longer at some stage.

Low level minimum stakes lay of Switzerland to finish top 2 in the group.

The Mist

 "Whats going on?"

"Don't know, I can't see anything..."

THE END

September Football 2023

 Its the return of my football ratings of the month, I watch a lot of football for pleasure and trading. Here are the matches I watched this month rated from worst to best;

Roma 1-2 AC Milan, Serie A. An awful match where Roma offered nothing except trolling until the final few minutes despite being a man up from the 60 minute point.

Newcastle Utd 1-0 Brentford, English Premier League. Neither team got started, it felt like watching a 90 minute warm up.

Everton 0-1 Arsenal, English Premier League. Everton were rubbish and the dragged Arsenal down to their level, a heavy favourite won 1-0...

Luton Town 1-2 West Ham Utd, English Premier League. Lutons first home game in the EPL saw counter attacking West Ham with most of the play until they scored. Neither team are used to having possession and it showed, plenty of off target shots and corners little on action or decent play.

Inter Milan 5-1 AC Milan, Serie A, I missed the start of Strictly to watch Milan get thumped.

Olympique Lyon 0-0 Le Havre, Ligue 1. A battling display from the away team earnt a point against an unconfident Lyon. Plenty of blocked shots and Le Havre worked a minor miracle to keep a clean sheet. 

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Burnley, English premier League. A game about misses, Forest would miss a ton of dead certs which gave Burnley the confidence to go ahead late in the first half. Forest equalised with a brilliant goal in a game that both will feel that they could have won.   

West Ham Utd 1-3 Manchester City, English Premier League. West Ham with more of their on the break routine went ahead in the second half City came back with the inevitability of heat death.

Millwall 0-3 Leeds, Championship. Fun attacking game with both sides going for it.

Sunderland 5-0 Southampton, Championship. A very good performance from Sunderland who played on the break for most of the game. A fun attacking game with Southampton unable to penetrate despite having most of the play.

Southampton 1-4 Leicester City, Championship. Jamie Vardy started a party after 20 seconds and Southampton cried because they wanted too.

Latvia 0-2 Wales, European Championship Qualifiers. A young Welsh side dominated a niggly Latvia, Wales should have scored more. 

Crystal Palace 3-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers, English Premier League. Enjoyable end to end match, fun trading which got better when the goals started flying in during the second half.   

Borussia Monchengladbach 1-2 Bayern Munich, Budesliga. A dominating display from Bayern in a game enlivened by the hosts going ahead midway through the second half. Wave after wave of Bayern attacks saw them equalise and then grab a winner in the final few minutes. A good trading game created by the hosts going ahead. 

Burnley 2-5 Tottenham Hotspur, English Premier League. A dominant away display by Spurs who bossed Burnley. A good display of a new manager asserting his personality on the team as well as a satisfying hattrick from Son proving there is more to him than his partnership with Kane. 

FC Twente 3-1 Ajax, Eredivisie. A dominant display from Twente in a game of many chances, even by Eredivisie standards. Twente keep up their 100% league record and Ajax are already 7 points behind the leaders.

Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 Newcastle Utd, English Premier League. A dominant display from Brighton who kept Newcastle in their pockets for most of the game. Very impressive as I'd expected this game to be a lot closer. 

Sheffield Utd 2-2 Everton, English Premier League. A fun, attacking game with both teams going for it feeling that this was a game both could win. A 12:30 kick off and one of the most enjoyable EPL games that have been in this time slot. 

Genoa 2-2 Napoli, Serie A. An out of sorts Napoli with an eye on Europe went to Genoa and found themselves two goals down. An aging Kevin Strootman for most of the game kept Napoli at bay but when he ran out of gas things looked grim. After hooking him off around the mid 70 minute mark Napoli would score an equaliser and an away banker turned into a score draw.

Bayern Munich 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga. Kane put Bayern ahead within ten minutes and it looked like game over, Leverkusen ripped up the script, did some adlibbing and equalised. Bayern went ahead again late but a penalty earned a point for the away side in what was an unexpectedly an even game.

Paris Saint-Germain 2-3 Nice, Ligue 1. There's nothing like a good pantomime villain (OH NO THEY DON'T) and in recent years that is what PSG have become just that. Nice went ahead early and despite being pegged back before half time mounted a counter attacking second half that saw them go 3-1 up. PSG would pull another goal back but thankfully Nice held on and a Merry Festivus was had by all.

Fiorentina 3-2 Atalanta, Serie A. I felt this was going to be a good game and it didn't disappoint. Both teams would go ahead and take turns dominating what was a good above mid table league game. Possibly the best flowing game I've seen this month and I look forward to a good season from both teams.   

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Liverpool, English Premier League. Liverpool don't do midday first half's, Wolves do and they had a cracker going 1-0 up and could have got a few more. Liverpool made a change at half time then another two ten minutes later, in a unique move for a subbed player Gakpo left via the penalty box and scored an equaliser. From that point Liverpool were rarely in trouble going ahead via Robertson with a counter attacking run from a cleared corner and Harvey Elliot making three although it would be credited as an own goal. 

Arsenal 3-1 Manchester Utd, English Premier League. A fantastic guns blazing game from two sides who were going out to win. Plenty of cards, corners, chances and talking points, a far cry from the damp squib that I feared. A lot closer than the score line suggests with the two late goals creating chaos on the correct score market. 

Napoli 1-2 Lazio, Serie A. The top two clubs in Serie A last season went to battle early in the month at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and produced a belter. After a few waves of attack from Napoli they fell behind to a deft Lazio flick only to equalise minutes later. Napoli would spend the rest of the match on attack with Lazio playing on the break. Lazio had two goals ruled off for offside however their game plan was well executed. 

Borussia Dortmund 2-2 FC Heidenheim, Bundesliga. What started as a standard game with Dortmund taking a two goal lead turned into something special as Heidenheim mounted a comeback complete with VAR and disallowed goals that earned them their first ever point in the Bundesliga.

Caveat, I fell ill and was in hospital most of the second half of the month.