Point Spreads - NCAA, Final Four, College Basketball, NBA, MLB, World Series, NFL, College Football, BCS & Super Bowl Point Spreads

Euro 2008 starts Saturday, June 7 with the Czech Republic taking on Switzerland in Group A action. This match takes place at St.Jakob Park, in Basel. Oddsmakers at BetUS.com have Czech Republic +165 and Switzerland +165 at even odds with a draw at +225. Bet on Euro 2008: Czech Republic vs Switzerland now at BetUS.com

The Czech Republic finished first in Group D Euro qualifying after going 9W-2D-1L in 12 games. They scored 27 goals and allowed 5. The success of the Czech team is down mainly to the performance of veteran striker Jan Koller and the brilliant defensive play of Marek Jankulovski. Koller is the all-time goal leader for the Czech team, he had six in Euro qualifying. They are now without Pavel Nedved, who has retired from international football. They also lost the talented of Tomas Rosicky through injury. Zdenek Pospech has been ruled out of the opener against the Swiss due to the flu. Much of their strength is based around a back line that conceded just five goals in qualifying. Their four-man defence forms an impenetrable barrier to many teams. Even if they are bypassed, the best goalie Petr Cech awaits. Cech wants to put the disappointment of UEFA Champions League final defeat behind him and win Euro 2008.

Switzerland is hoping on a mix of youth and veteran experience as they try their luck at Euro 2008. Players such as Patrick Muller will make his first appearance in a big tournament. Switzerland players Hakan Yakin, Pascal Zuberbühler and Johan Djourou were top scorers for their clubs, but might not be ready for the big leagues. Coach Michel Pont says "We will not change our daily routines now, because expectation and pressure are already high enough on the players." There is a feeling in the Swiss camp that they have prepared well for a tournament, and that includes having watched the Czechs several times. "They have a very well-oiled team with lots of qualities when attacking," Pont pointed out. "They surely have their weaknesses as well, and we plan to prepare ourselves for those."   Midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta is expected to return to his teammates after an ankle injury. Their forwards will be led by captain Alexander Frei, Marco Streller and Eren Derdiyok. Diego Benaglio is first-choice goalkeeper ahead of veteran Pascal Zuberbuhler. Bet on Euro 2008

Group A: Czech Republic vs Switzerland
When: Sat, June 7, 2008 12:00 PM ET
Line: BetUS.com
Pick: Czech Republic +165

The Bottom Line: The Czech Republic are the stronger team with great defenders and a great goalie. The Swiss have one thing going for them, they are on home soil. Bet on Euro 2008: Czech Republic vs Switzerland now at BetUS.com and receive a 30% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.

---