The Prophet

Don't know, really really don't know. I know the way Portugal play - very quick on the counter attack - doesn't suit Germany. Schweinsteiger will definitely play and will definitely not be at 100% - neither mentally or physically. If the latest rumours of Gomez starting are true then that's another reason not to back them today, as we all know how poor he can be for Germany - despite banging them in for Bayern. Last but not least, the defence. Of course, Lahm is world class but he'll play on the left - not against Cristiano. Ronaldo will play against Höwedes, Bender (who's never played as a RB before) or indeed Boateng - who's never been short of an error (or of a meeting with a German top model, at 2:00 am at a hotel bar, just days before the tournament. ) If Özil, Müller and Podolski won't do their magic, and if Khedira won't be able to play for at least 1 1/2 players, then I can't see them winning today. Will place my bet after the Holland game. So basically if Germany's best players don't turn up, they might not win? I know what you're saying about their defence though. Boateng/Howedes at left back and one of Mertesacker/Hummels (who has been class for Dortmund but poor for Germany) in the middle hardly inspires confidence. Still it's a big ask for an inconsistent Portugal side. Out of curiosity what are the best odds on Germany?

Aye, Netherlands -1 is very tempting tomorrow

Should put me well up for the day, lovely start.

He's going to be some player.

Kerzhakov has been really, really s*** like. Get super Pav on.

Dzagoev

Uh-oh.

Dzagoev was also a decent 8/1 to be Russian top scorer, him Arshavin and Kerzakov interchange a lot so not the worst bet in the world.

Halfway there. Good luck fella, I will happily eat humble pie is you're correct. Actually fuck that, I've just bet on Russia and Dzagoev anytime.

Small stake on Russia and Dzagoev anytime.

Tempted to get on Dzagoev anytime for later.

It was never ever a penalty, the lad didn't have a clue where the ball was.

Poland/Russia double.

Also, are their any particularly strong back fours in the competition? You'd have to say Spain's is the strongest but Ramos can be a bit of a liability while Alba and Arbeloa are relatively new to the fold. Italy's isn't bad either, Balzaretti and Maggio will provide plenty going forward too. France's looks good on paper but Rami and Mexas don't look comfortable together at all. So while decent even the stronger looking defensive units are hardly sensational. Obviously the likes of Spain, Germany and the Netherlands will domiante the midfield and so not rely on defence as much, but still a point worth making.

Poor Ukraine: four managers in as many years, their squad is recovering from a food poisoning outbreak, all three of their called up keepers are ruled out through injury/failed drugs tests and their only good defender (Chygrynskiy) is ruled out too.

Finally done: Main bets: Germany to win - 7/2 Benzema to be top French scorer - 5/2 Supplementry bets: Benzema/Gomez/Lewandowski to be top scorers for their respective sides - around 25/1 Russia to finish 1st in Group A/Denmark to finish 4th in Group B/Spain to finish 1st in Group C/Ukraine to finish 4th in Group D - around 16/1

Final Germany -France Top scorer Karim Benzema Player to watch Alan Dzagoev How far will England go? Really unsure, bit of an unknown quantity with the new manager and injuries, I'll go for the quaters. Most looking forward to The tournament as a whole, but Group B looks cracking, three top fixtures in there. Least looking forward to In-ger-land, in-ger, land, in-ger-laand, group D generally, having to watch Greece. Best Hodgson moment Doing a helicopter to the media in his last press conference.

Must. Stop. Betting.

One for Neil, Jelavic to be top Croatian scorer - 9/2.

*Netherlands.

I'm guessing they'll go with a Sneijder, Affelay, Robben, Van Persie front four then.

Surely with his records for both cluba nd country they won't drop him?