The fraternity of odds compliers don’t hold Sweden Under-21’s in any regard that could be described as high ahead of their European Under-21 Championship final with their Portuguese counterparts, affording the Scandinavians 17/4 underdog status.
In opposition are Rui Jorge’s Portugal, who assume clear favouritism to take a maiden junior Euros title in what will be their second showpiece appearance, available to back at just 3/4 next to the 5/2-rated draw.
Looking at the contest in terms of who will lift the trophy, the numbers lend even more favour to the Esperancas, with the paltry 2/5 saying they reign supreme super-model skinny when compared to the blubbery 2/1 attributed to the Swedes.
A key pillar upon which this enormous discrepancy is founded is, undoubtedly, the nature of Portugal’s destruction of Germany, the side deemed most likely to win the competition before a ball was kicked, in the semi-final.
They felled Horst Hrubesch’s side 5-0 thanks to a ruthless counter-attacking performance in which midfield superstar William Carvalho justified his £37m price tag.
This resounding win, however, has created an opportunity for us, the humble punter to profit.
Sweden’s hopes of success have been completely discounted, yet there’s a strong case to make about them getting their paws on this trophy, let alone avoid the one-sided affair the bookies envisage.
The pair have already played once in the tournament, with their Uherske Hradiste encounter finishing 1-1.
A last-minute Simon Tibbling strike here ensured both the spoils in this match were shared and Sweden advanced to the semi-final stage.
The art of bagging at the death is something Hakan Ericson’s troops have mastered in this competition, scoring four of their seven goals so far in the final ten minutes.
Two of these post 80th-minute net rustles came in their own semi-final demolition job against neighbouring Denmark, who, like Portugal this time, were favoured ahead of kick-off.
The Danes were felled 4-1 in Prague, affirming once again the strength of character in the Swedish ranks.
At 2/1, they’re well worth a bet to hoist the trophy once proceedings are concluded, while their penchant for bagging late on means backing the same price about at least one underdog goal after the 75th minute has struck is no brainer.
