BILLY BUNTER

Weblog: The football punter

Portugal will carry cash on night of key clashes

I’M sure it’s only a few years ago that Armenia were in that group of nations like Andorra, San Marino and Wales who were a nailed-on three-pointer whenever they met the big guns.

Obviously managers had to tiresomely peddle the ‘there’s no easy games in international football these days’ line whenever they were paired with the Armenians, but that was only to get the excuses in early before romping to a 3-0 win.

But now look at the men from, er. I dunno. Let me google it! Christ, is that even in Europe?

Here they are, on their way to Dublin with a place at Euro 2012 on the line.

Beat Trap’s lads and they’re in the play-offs.

I’m looking at the 9-2 about the visitors and reckoning that’s got to be worth a moment’s thought, especially if Keano isn’t leading the line.

They may not know which continent they come from but they sure know how to come with a wet sail and this could be a dodgy 90 minutes at the point of the campaign where the Irish are notorious for the odd dodgy 90 minutes.

I suppose I ought to show a bit of solidarity for the Scots – we’re all one nation, after all – and cheer them on in Spain.

I see the layers, working on the principle that the team that needs to win, will win, have cut Craig Levein’s men accordingly. Now they are a meagre 20-1 and that’s just a wee bit skinny for me.

Denmark against Portugal and France versus Bosnia are the two biggies this week and while I know what I’d like to happen, I’ll swerve the Paris match and get on Portugal in Copenhagen.

The Danes have got to open up and they’ll be slaughtered on the break.