Euro 2012: Germany not Spain the best top scorers bet

Regardless of whether you agree with the growing consensus that Spain's four-year domination of international football will be curtailed at Euro 2012, there are plenty of reasons to oppose them in the Team Scoring Most Goals at 4.131/10.

Though they were the most prolific team on their way to lifting the trophy four years ago, Spain were nowhere near as dangerous at the World Cup as teams started fearing them and placed more emphasis on stifling them.

Despite triumphing in South Africa, they grabbed just eight goals, an average of little over one a game, compared to final opponents the Netherlands' 12. Germany meanwhile achieved double their semi-final conquerors' tally with 16.

Factor in the injury to David Villa, who scored a remarkable 45% of their goals as they were crowned first European and then world champions - including five of their eight at the World Cup - and the continued struggles of likely line-leader Fernando Torres, and they aren't the most appealing bet.

Germany's greater attacking menace at the World Cup is one reason why they lead Spain in this market at 3.953/1, but it isn't the only one. In four of their last five major tournaments - the exception being Euro 2004 where they exited swiftly - they have been one of the two highest scoring sides.

They were beaten to the title of most frequent goal-getters in qualifying however by great rivals the Netherlands, who with the Premier League and Bundesliga top scorers Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in tow will be confident of replicating that feat at 6.86/1.

They tied for the honour at Euro 2000 and were two goals shy of Spain in the 2008 edition despite lasting just four games, lighting up the group stage by firing three past Italy and four past France in their opening two encounters.

One other trend worth noting before dabbling on this market is that only one of the last two World Cups or European Championships have been top scored by the eventual winners.