We take a look at all three UEFA European Championship encounters involving Groups C and D scheduled for this Sunday and offer a betting suggestion for each match.
Before proceeding, let’s review the latest outright betting markets. England are the current favourites at 15/4, closely followed by our pick of the tournament, France, at 4/1. Hosts Germany are at 11/2, while Portugal stands at 7/1 and Spain is not far behind at 15/2. The remaining field can be backed at 14/1 or better.
Click here for all the latest UEFA EURO Outright Betting
POLAND v NETHERLANDS – Click here to bet
An afternoon showdown will usher Group D’s fate this Sunday as Poland kicks off their campaign against the Netherlands at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. Having finished third in their respective Euro group qualifiers, Poland had to overcome Wales in a playoff final to secure their place this summer. With preparations going according to plan post-qualification, including consecutive wins in their warm-up matches, Michal Probierz’s men hope their recent winning trend continues against one of the more fancied teams to progress from this group. With news that Robert Lewandowski has been ruled out of this game, the Eagles will have to soar without their talismanic frontman on the field.
Poland has averaged 2.4 goals per game in their last five international appearances, with over 2.5 goals in 60% of those games (3 out of 5).
The Netherlands meets Poland in their opener, having finished runners-up behind France in their Group B qualifiers. Despite a four-point gap between the two, the Oranje looked certain to qualify, registering six wins and two defeats in their respective campaign. Leading up to this tournament, the Netherlands played four warm-up matches, achieving three impressive 4-0 victories against Scotland, Canada, and Iceland, losing only once to Euro 2024 hosts Germany, with a 2-1 defeat. As one of the more favoured teams in Group D, anything less than all three points in their opening game will be deemed a major disappointment for Ronald Koeman’s men, especially knowing that the Poles will be without their leading man, Lewandowski, upfront.
The Netherlands has averaged 3.8 goals per game in their last five international appearances, with over 2.5 goals in 100% of those games (5 out of 5).
Head-to-Head
These two sides have met a total of 19 times with the Netherlands winning 9, Poland 3, and 7 resulting in draws between the pair. Their most recent encounter resulted in a 2-0 win to Netherlands back in September 2022.
Betting
Poland 11/2
Draw 3/1
Netherlands 4/7
Prediction
Without the services of Robert Lewandowski, Poland will likely have to adapt to a more conservative approach hoping to frustrate the Dutch in an attempt to counter when given the opportunity. While it may take Netherlands a while to break their opposition down, they do look the way to go in light of their qualification campaign as well as their ruthless run of form leading up to the Euro’s.
Suggested Bet: Result and Totals, Netherlands and over 1.5 at 19/20
SLOVENIA v DENMARK – Click here to bet
Underdog Slovenia will square up against Denmark once again in Group C’s opener at MHPArena this Sunday. As one of the less-fancied teams to progress from the group, the Dragons will need to improve considerably in this format, having yet to register a single win in any of their previous European Championship participations. These two teams met in the group qualifiers, where Slovenia finished second despite having a superior goal difference to the Danes. Since securing their place in the Euros, Slovenia has continued to impress in their warm-up internationals, registering three wins and two draws leading up to Sunday’s highly anticipated clash.
Slovenia has averaged 1.6 goals per game in their last five international appearances, with under 2.5 goals in 60% of those games (3 out of 5).
Marking their tenth European Championship appearance, Denmark embarks on their Euro journey this Sunday against familiar opposition. With both teams progressing from the same qualifying group, they know each other well, making it fitting that they do battle once again, this time in the opener that could potentially dictate their fate in the group. Not to be outdone by Slovenia, the Danes recorded an unbeaten run in their warm-ups, registering one draw followed by three consecutive wins, including a clinical 3-1 victory over Norway in their most recent outing.
Denmark has averaged 1.8 goals per game in their last five international appearances, with under 2.5 goals in 60% of those games (3 out of 5).
Head-to-Head
These two teams have met 6 times where Denmark have dominated by winning 5 with 1 resulting in a draw. Their most recent encounter resulting in a 2-1 win to Denmark back in November 2023.
Betting
Slovenia 9/2
Draw 5/2
Denmark 15/20
Prediction
With a far superior matchup record, Denmark will be targeting this as a must-win encounter, knowing that the Dragons are one of the least favoured teams to feature in this year’s European Championship campaign. Given how competitive their last two meetings were, should Denmark prevail, it will likely be by a one-goal margin, making that my preferred choice in this game.
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Denmark by 1 at 5/2
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SERBIA v ENGLAND – Click here to bet
Serbia begins their tournament campaign by taking on Euro favourites England in their respective opener this Sunday at Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. As one of the lower-ranked teams participating in this tournament, they could not have asked for a worse fixture to start with. The Eagles finished runners-up, four points behind Hungary in their group qualifiers, and will rely heavily on the services of Sergey Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksander Mitrovic given their limited squad depth. Warm-up matches leading to this competition have shown mixed results, having suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Russia, then redeeming themselves by overwhelming Sweden with a 3-0 victory away from home in their most recent encounter before making their way to Germany.
Serbia has averaged 1.4 goals per game in their last five international appearances, with over 2.5 goals in 80% of those games (4 out of 5).
Having fallen agonizingly short in the previous edition of this competition, highly-fancied England will be hoping to go one step further in an attempt to bring home the coveted prize that has eluded them since its inception. Last tasting success on the world stage 58 years ago, it is safe to say the Three Lions are long overdue. England made light work of the qualifiers, dominating their group by registering six wins and two draws, and topping Group C, which included defending Euro champions, Italy. Despite their impressive run in qualifications, their warm-up results have raised a few eyebrows, particularly their most recent encounter where England were jeered off the pitch by the Wembley crowd after losing 1-0 to 72nd-ranked Iceland, a scenario which is far from ideal leading up to the Euros.
England has averaged 1.2 goals per game in their last five international appearances, with under 2.5 goals in 60% of those games (3 out of 5).
Head-to-Head
These two teams have only met once where England triumphed 2-1 in an international friendly back in June 2003.
Betting
Serbia 6/1
Draw 7/2
England 40/85
Prediction
Despite their recent hiccup leading up to the Euros, England should have far too much quality for Serbia. Having conceded just four goals in the qualifications, the Three Lions are likely to keep their opposition at bay and win their opener with a clean sheet to boot.
Suggested Bet: England to win to nil, yes at 5/4
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
