It’s been well documented that Spain are attempting to become the first international side to win three major tournaments in a row at Euro 2012.
Following on from their successes at the 2008 Euros and 2010 World Cup, la Roja prepare to kick off in Poland and Ukraine as bwin’s 29/10 favourites for the competition and that’s a status few will disagree with.
The Spaniards’ continued excellence on the international stage means they’ll be a tough ask for anyone who meets them, but while many of their successful facets over the past four years remain, some do not.
Even without the injured Carlos Puyol, Spain remain defensively sound and their gang of metronomic midgets in midfield will pass the ball astutely all day.
But whether Vicente del Bosque’s men make it an unprecedented hat-trick could ultimately come down to replicating the killer instincts which have served them so well recently.
In 2008, David Villa and Fernando Torres dovetailed to deadly effect, while the Barcelona hitman rattled home five goals in South Africa to carry the team through the groups and into the semi-finals.
Torres will not be looking skywards at Jose Bosingwa’s over-hit crosses or stood in the box twiddling his thumbs as Daniel Sturridge, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda step-over their way down another blind alley.
But with Villa watching from home and Torres still striving for the form of four years ago, doubts remain as to whether Spain will have enough firepower to take them all the way once again.
Back on the Iberian peninsula, opinion is divided about who – if any – of the three out-and-out strikers in the squad will lead the line, but that uncertainty makes for some interesting prices if you’re looking to have a punt on the overall top scorer or the Spanish top scorer.
Despite a lack of goals at club level, Torres is 14/1 fourth favourite to head the charts overall, with Fernando Llorente a couple of points back at 16/1. David Silva and Cesc Fabregas are back at 66/1, with Pedro and Alvaro Negredo at 80/1.
Llorente is arguably the form man having netted 29 goals for Athletic Bilbao last season, but he hasn’t registered at international level for getting on two years.
He didn’t play a minute of any of Spain’s three warm-up games as Torres and Negredo helped themselves to a goal apiece against the Korea Republic.
Therefore, I’m backing Torres to get the nod to begin the campaign and ignoring his poor return for Chelsea, I reckon ‘El Nino’ could get enough wind in his sails to be somewhere near the top of the scoring charts.
The goal against Korea was a welcome boost and last time in the company of many of his compatriots, he was rounding Victor Valdes at the Camp Nou to send his team into a Champions League final.
Away from the travails of an indifferent 18 months in west London, the former Atletico Madrid man will also not be looking skywards at Jose Bosingwa’s over-hit crosses or stood in the box twiddling his thumbs as Daniel Sturridge, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda step-over their way down another blind alley.
Torres needs service and Spain need someone to make their pretty passing patterns worthwhile and if the two can find an equilibrium, then record books will be re-written. They kick off proceedings against Italy, with the remaining games against Croatia and the Republic of Ireland providing ample opportunity for goals.
Even if you think that’s all a bit far fetched, Torres must still be worth a dabble as Spain’s top scorer for the tournament at 7/2.
New customers registering with bwin can claim a free £25 bet and placing this on Torres to be Spain’s top scorer at the Euros could land you £112.50 if successful.
Elsewhere, there are plenty of inviting bets about if you’re at the end of your tether with Torres.
Silva has scored five times in his last seven outings for Spain and although he’s unlikely to notch enough to win outright, 8/1 is a great price for him to lead la Roja’s goals column, with Pedro and Fabregas both at 7/1.
Recommended bet: Fernando Torres to be Spain’s top scorer @ 7/2
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Away from the travails of an indifferent 18 months in west London, the former Atletico Madrid man will also not be looking skywards at Jose Bosingwa’s over-hit crosses or stood in the box twiddling his thumbs as Daniel Sturridge, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda step-over their way down another blind alley.
