The hosts can put on a show to kick start the Euros
Paddy Power’s never understood the feeling of hosting it’s own international football tournament. The closest we’ve come is when there was Subbuteo in the office at Christmas which ended prematurely after the ball got lost under a cupboard.
So we can’t imagine the pressure that the French team must be under as they begin Euro 2016 on Friday night. Paddy Power will be giving daily goalscorer tips as the games fly by, starting with France against Romania.
Our official betting preview of the match tells you that Romania’s defence is tighter than a nun. But even nuns can’t help but admire how beautifully structured Olivier Giroud’s hair and face is.
More importantly, punters can’t ignore how the Arsenal striker is on fire in front of goal. In his last four appearances for club and country Oli has scored seven times, including twice against Euro 2016 qualifiers Scotland.
95 of Giroud’s 101 shots in the Premier League this season came from inside the area. All of his 16 goals did. If the ball drops to him in the box, it’s going to at least hit the target. While his shot accuracy is the lowest of the four French forwards (54%) he won the most in the air (100 duels).
So while Romanians might love to defend (something which might’ve helped during the war) France’s attacking quality is just way too good. Dmitri Payet, N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba will all be driving forward trying to help out Giroud against a defence which has just two players in the top five European leagues.
We’re looking to Giroud to the do the business by scoring two or more goals at odds of.