Euro 2008: Betfred betting preview - Croatia v Turkey

Croatia v Turkey (kick off 7.45pm)
Croatia start tonight's quarter final as red hot favourites to dispose of Turkey and maintain their unbeaten record in the tournament - and their supporters can have even money with Betfred that they will do so in 90 minutes.

The surprise package of this year's competition, the Croatian side are now just 7/1 shots to win the tournament and are 8/11 to make it through to the semis.

Turkey, who caused a massive upset when coming from 2-0 down to beat the Czech Republic and qualify from Group A, are 11/4 to claim another major scalp and win in 90 minutes and 11/8 to go through overall.

But it is the Croatians who are attracting the big bets to put and end to the Turkish delight at making it this far.

"Punters don't want to back Turkey against what look a very organised Croatian side who have some decent strikers and have proved a real force to be reckoned with," said Betfred spokesman Dave Metcalf.

"As soon as we opened up betting on the game we took a £5,000 bet on Croatia to win in 90 minutes and on what we have seen so far the Turks will have to raise their game to a new level to stop the Croatian bandwagon."

Turkey's goal scoring hero Kahveci Nihat, who netted twice in the last 3 minutes to get his side through to tonight's quarter final, is a 13/2 shot with Betfred to carry on his heroics and net the opener. The betting is headed by Croatia's Ivica Olic and Mladen Petric on 6-1.

However it's the double result market that punters are getting stuck into, with fans convinced the game will be all square at half-time before the Croatians assert their authority to secure victory in 90 minutes.

"We are going 7/2 for that to happen, and if it does we could be heading for a monster payout as it's all one way traffic as far as punters are concerned with hardly anyone backing the Turks in any market," added Dave.

Anyone who does fancy the Turks to cause an upset and hold Croatia to a draw in 90 minutes can get some real value with Betfred, who are offering 12/1 for them to win in extra time and 9/1 to go through to the semis via penalties.

Betfred 's Best bets -
To win match (90 minutes): Croatia 1/1
Double result : Draw half time/Croatia full time 7/2
First Goalscorer : Petric 6/1