Could you bet against your own country?

England start their campaign against an in form French side who will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 22 games. It’s fair to say on the injury front, England haven’t been fortunate, and when added to the controversy around the exclusion of former captain Rio Ferdinand, it doesn't bode well for Roy Hodgson’s men.

Can Roy lead England to victory over France. Stan James will offer you 23/10 on an England victory

The French have a squad that on their day can compete with any in European football. At the 2010 World Cup they were an embarrassment; but under Laurent Blanc their fortunes have improved dramatically. Raymond Domenech, for some obscure reason left out Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri from his World Cup squad; however both are rightly selected for the Euro’s and both looking set to start against England.

Prediction: France 2 England 1 – 10/1 with numerous bookies - Lose a fiver

My three tips:
Both Steven Gerrard and Karim Benzema to score - 9/1 with Skybet - Lose a fiver
Both teams to score YES – 6/5 with bet365 - Win with returns of £11
England HT/ France FT- 40/1 with numerous bookies - Lose a fiver

Game returns - Loss of £9

The Co-hosts Ukraine kick off their campaign with a winnable looking opener against Sweden. Ukraine’s two best players are both approaching the end of their careers in Andriy Shevchenko and Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and with both set to retire come the end of the tournament; they’ll be looking to end their fine international careers in style.

Will Shevchenko score first? He's at 8/1 to do so with William Hill

It just wouldn’t seem right to have a European Championships without Sweden! The Swede’s have won their last two Euro’s openers and despite being the away side for the match, have a genuine chance of upsetting the locals. Much is dependent on their catalyst Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who on is day is arguably the best striker in world football.

Prediction: Ukraine 2 Sweden 1 – 9/1 with numerous bookies - Winner with returns of £50

My three tips:
Over 1.5 goals in the first half – 9/4 with Skybet - Lose a fiver
Andriy Yarmolenko anytime goalscorer – 3/1 with Totesports - Lose a fiver
Draw HT/ Ukraine FT – 5/1 with bet365 - Winner with returns of £30

Game returns - Profit of £70

Day returns - Profit of £61
Overall returns - Profit of £82.45

*an accumulator for both France and Ukraine to win is 5/1
*an accumulator for both France and Ukraine to win 2-1 is 99/1

*all accumulators are doing via skybet