Big Match Double betting

Just three games remain in the Euro 2012 festival of football in Poland and Ukraine and on Wednesday and Thursday two mouth watering semi finals take place between what have undoubtedly been the four best teams in the tournament to date.

Ladbrokes are delighted to offer punters a special market on this weeks last four encounters as reigning champions Spain tackle Portugal on Wednesday in Donetsk before Germany entertain Italy in Warsaw on Thursday.

Spain have the upper hand in meetings with their Iberian neighbours, winning 15 of their 37 contests, drawing 13 and losing just nine.

Vicente del Bosque’s side have not conceded a single goal since their opening game against Italy in Group C, but they will be wary of the threat posed by Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has sprung to life with three goals in two appearances for the Portuguese.

Ladbrokes ‘Big Match Double’ offers odds on the outcome of both semi finals over 90 minutes play.

Spain (8/5 outright) and Germany (13/8) are clear favourites to take their place in Sunday’s decider ahead of Portugal and Italy (both 11/2).

Regulation victories for the Spanish and Germans in their semi finals is on offer at 11/4.

Many neutrals are predicting an end to the Spanish dominance this week, as their dominant possession game could be brought to bear by the swift counter attacking threat Portugal possess in the form of Ronaldo and Manchester United’s quick footed winger Nani.

Italy were unable to overcome a stubborn English defence on Sunday evening in Kiev but Roy Hodgson’s side carried little threat during the second half and extra time. The Azzurri will not enjoy such an easy ride against the hugely impressive Germans. Mezut Ozil and Mario Gomez will provide the threat to the Italian rearguard and it is difficult not to envisage Germany breaching the Italian backline. Wins for Germany and Portugal in 90 minutes could reward punters at a price of 8/1.

Italy enjoy a superior record in their head-to-head with the Germans, winning 14 of their 30 meetings, drawing nine and losing on just seven occasions.

Germany have just one win in seven competitive games against Italy, although there have been four stalemates, along with two wins for Italy.

Both semi finals to finish level and require extra time is priced at 10/1, while the underdogs – Portugal and Italy – to storm to shock success is priced at 20/1.

With Spain’s inherent ability to retain possession whilst not scoring frequently and the possibility that a younger, more fluent German side may prove too strong for Italy, the 5/1 on offer that Spain and Portugal ends level and Germany progress to the final in normal time looks to be just about the value call in this market.

For a full list of potential outcomes and prices on these two fantastic Euro 2012 semi finals as well as all your latest betting, promotions and news from Poland and Ukraine, stay with Ladbrokes.