Day Two and the Group of Death!

If Group A was the weakest, then Group B is most certainly the strongest! All four sides are ranked in the top 10, meaning that there will be two strong sides to fall at the group stage.

Despite topping their qualifying group, which contained fellow Group B member Portugal, Denmark are the group underdogs, with not many tipping them to progress. I, like the majority, agree that they'll struggle to get out of the group; however they certainly won't be the whipping boys of the tournament, and I expect them earn at least three points from the Group. A combination of retirements and injuries has reduced the average age of the squad, with the burden undoubtedly on the shoulders of the highly rated Christian Eriksen. The 20 year old has attracted many of the Europe's elite club sides, a strong showing at Euro 2012 will only increase his already hefty price tag. 

Danish hopes depend heavily on Eriksen's form

Holland put their World Cup final heartache behind them to ease to Euro 2012, winning their first 11 matches before their solitary defeat to Sweden in their final match, and with an attacking force that rivals anything in world football, they've a chance of winning the European Championships for the second time. Defensively the Dutch are suspect, hence the managers need for two holding midfield players, whilst the surprise selection of Wilfred Bouma in their 23 man squad has only highlighted how weak Holland are at the back. 

Like 2010 I can see Holland winning their group opener, ironically by the same scoreline too.

Prediction- Holland 2 Denmark 0 - Best odds 13/2 with numerous bookies - Lose 

My three top tips

Robin Van Persie anytime scorer - 11/10 with Betfred - Lose

Holland HT/ Holland FT - 6/4 with Coral - Lose

Both teams to score NO - 11/12 with 32Red - Winner - Returns £9.45

Lose £10.55

One of the first rules of football is never write off the Germans, and despite some average pre-tournament results coupled with the heartache of the Munich players in the squad, due to Bayern's three near misses (losing the title and German cup to Borussia Dortmund, whilst the Champions League final to Chelsea), you'd have to be a fool to discount the Germans. The squad is very similar to the 2010 World Cup squad, with the notable additions of more youngsters (in the form of Dortmund duo Mats Hummels and Mario Gotze). With just two players, Tim Wiese and Miroslav Klose, over the age of 30, Joachim Low really has gone with youth.

Portugal are a tough side to predict. They needed the play-offs to qualify, the likes of Ricardo Carvalho have retired due to a fall out with Paulo Bento, the Portuguese manager, and they've not won a pre-tournament friendly for the first time in their history. Yet their squad is strong, despite no Carvalho they are good defensively and they've Europe's finest player in Cristiano Ronaldo. They could finish top, they could also finish bottom.

Portugal can't call upon the services of the brilliant Carvalho

Germany usually time their performances to perfection, meaning they start tournaments slow, and I fancy Portugal to get a draw against the second favourites here.

Prediction- Germany 1 Portugal 1 -  Best odds 6/1 with numerous bookies - Lose

My three top tips

Germany Portugal Draw - 5/2 with numerous bookies - Lose

Both sides to score YES - 13/17 with 32Red - Lose 

Raul Meireles anytime scorer - 7/1 with Betfred - Lose

Down £20

For the day Down £30.55
For the competition Up £21.95

*An Accumulator for Holland win and Germany Portugal draw - 9/2 

*An Accumulator for Holland 2-0 and Germany Portugal 1-1 - 89/2

*All Accumulator odds are done via skybet