With round one of the Euro2012 group games completed it’s fair to say that bookmakers and punters are fairly square. England won at short odds, Northern Ireland won at good odds, Scotland drew a game many thought they should have won while Wales lost as expected. The group stage appears to be fairly uninspiring when it comes to Euro 2012 betting, but then, this is football and anything can happen as we saw in the World Cup.

The last time this competition was played England were unceremoniously dumped at the group stage, much to everyone’s dismay. It’s hard to see that happening this time around with England facing a fairly easy draw. They play Switzerland next up while the group also includes Bulgaria, Montenegro and Wales (33). England are 2/7 to win the group stage from Switzerland at 7/2.

From a betting point of view, Group C and Group D look to be interesting with both Italy (Group C) and France (Group D) favoured to win their groups. They are, however, both coming off their worst results ever in World Cup football. Many punters will question whether they have rebuilt sufficiently to really issue any challenges.

Group C also includes Northern Ireland and Serbia. Northern Ireland has started with a win and Serbia are capable of worrying the best teams. If I was to nominate a surprise group winner at this stage, it would have to be Serbia.

While France are still rebuilding, their saving grace may well be that they are in one of the easiest groups. Their main opposition is really limited to Romania and Bosnia Herzegovina – neither of whom hold much in the way of fear.

The group stages could be deceptive, or it could just be my imagination, but this time around the groups seem to be fairly easy for the main teams. The betting in each group sees the main contender well into the red, even Italy and France. In outright betting, Spain head the markets at 4/1 followed by Germany at 6/1, Holland at 8/1 and England at 11/1.

Can Spain continue their dominance of international football – or have Rooney and Defoe finally got their act together? Based on their performance together against Bulgaria, it may be worth having a bet or two on England now, before their price starts to fall. Bookmakers have already firmed them from 16/1.