The UEFA European Championship 2024 starts in Germany from June 14 to July 14 and it promises to be a fiercely contested tournament, with numerous formidable contenders vying for the coveted prize. We look at some of the more fancied teams, along with others that could potentially offer value en route to the final and we also suggest a bet in each of the Groups.
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LEADING CONTENDERS
Among the frontrunners, England, France and Germany have emerged as the leading contenders to lift the Henri Delaunay Cup at the Olympiastadion in Berlin come the 14th of July.
With England boasting a formidable squad brimming with talent and depth, it comes as no surprise to see them being mentioned as worthy candidates at 7/2. The English will look to go one step further after narrowly missing out to Italy on penalties in the previous edition held on home soil four years ago. Yet to clinch the coveted Euro title, the Three Lions have left fans and pundits alike eager for success, having last won silverware on the international stage back in 1966. Under the stewardship of manager Gareth Southgate and with players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden, England’s national team will once again carry the weight of expectations for many and will undoubtedly be fuelled by past promise and the sting of previous disappointments.
Close behind, France enters this tournament second-favourite at 4/1 with a star-studded line-up, featuring talents with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, offering them a blend of youth and experience within the squad. The two-time European Championship winners unceremoniously crashed out of the Euro’s in the round of 16 in 2016, quickly rebounding two years later by lifting the World Cup in Russia 2018. Led by Didier Deschamps at the time, his return as manager for his third stint could very well be the key to returning to winning ways after narrowly missing out on back-to-back world cup titles, falling just short to Argentina in a penalty shootout in Qatar 2022, four years later.
Not to be underestimated, the host nation Germany enters the tournament as the third favourites at 11/2. Despite showing vulnerabilities and undergoing a very experimental campaign under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann, the Germans have the potential to go the distance with home support firmly on their side. There is an argument that they go into Euro 2024 undercooked, given that they have not played a competitive game in over a year, relying solely on friendlies as preparation for the competition. Historically, the host nation has only lifted the trophy on three occasions since its inception back in 1960. However, there are some positives, knowing that the last two UEFA Euro tournaments have featured the host nation in the final. With youthful exuberance up front among the likes of Kai Havertz and 21-year-old Florian Wirtz, along with seasoned veterans like Toni Kroos at their disposal, Germany can certainly make their mark, potentially making it three European Championship final appearances for the host nation in a row.
WORTHY CONTENDERS
Portugal’s campaign for Euro 2024 gets underway against the Czech Republic on 18 June in Leipzig. It comes as no surprise that they are fancied favourites to progress from the group stages. Boasting 10 wins from 10 in the qualifiers, the one-time European Championship winners cannot be underestimated at 15/2, having scored an impressive 36 goals en route to the Euros and conceding only 2 in the process.
Under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, Spain could propel themselves back into the spotlight at 15/2. Having coached the Spanish national under-19 team and now serving as the senior head coach, de la Fuente brings valuable experience. With a rich history in the tournament and three European Championship titles under their belt, ‘La Roja’ will be a team not to be underestimated, offering significant value as they are expected to reach the latter part of the knockout stages.
Italy, the reigning Euro champions, concluded their qualifying campaign as runners-up, trailing England by six points. The Azzurri are in a phase of transformation, and defending their title will demand not just skill but also an element of luck. Despite these challenges, Italy’s storied and illustrious football history means they have the capacity to rise to the occasion. Previously underestimated when they clinched the trophy, the Azzurri are a team that can never be discounted in any tournament. At odds of 16/1, they represent decent value.
After several near-misses in past tournaments, there is no doubt that Belgium will be highly motivated to finally clinch a major international title. Once ranked 1st in the world, the ‘Red Devils’ enter Euro 2024 priced at 20/1 with an opportunity to showcase their golden generation once again. Having finished on top of their respective qualifying group, they should have little trouble progressing from Group E in Germany. With world-class players like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne to call on, Belgium has the potential to pave their way even further in this tournament
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DARK HORSES
Ronald Koeman begins his second tenure as head coach of the Dutch national team, having previously served in this role back in 2018. During his initial period, Koeman guided the Netherlands to a runners-up finish in the 2018/19 Nations League, culminating in a final appearance. With exciting players like Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, and Memphis Depay at his disposal, he certainly has the quality within the squad to challenge any team in this tournament, making their current odds of 20/1 an appetizing one to consider.
With a proven record in major tournaments, Croatia is likely to feature on everyone’s radar. They were beaten finalists in the recent UEFA Nations League and achieved a third-place finish in the World Cup in Qatar 2022, in addition to a runners-up medal in 2018. Despite their relatively late entrance into competitive football, they have consistently proven to be powerhouses on the international stage. Croatia prides itself on a solid backline and possesses big-match temperament players who control the midfield, such as Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, and Marcelo Brozović. With enough talent within the squad to dictate and frustrate their opposition at the Euros, Croatia emerges as genuine dark horses of this tournament at a very generous 40/1 outright offering.
FRANCE TO PREVAIL
England are worthy favourites, but at 7/2, I am not willing to back a side that has a habit at stumbling when the pressure is on.
With Didier Deschamps returning at the helm, France offers better value and consistency compared to the Three Lions when it comes to rising to the occasion.
Suggested Bet: UEFA EURO-Winner, France at 4/1
PROJECTED GROUP FORECAST – Click here to bet
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
Germany are overwhelming favourites to top their group, but Switzerland should not be underestimated. If the Germans falter, betting on both teams to finish in the top two in any particular order stands out as a top choice for this group.
Suggested Bet: UEFA EURO 2024 – Group A – Dual Forecast– Germany And Switzerland at 11/10
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
Dubbed the group of death, Albania could potentially sneak through with a third-place finish. At 17/10, they offer much better value than those involved in Group B to not finish bottom of their respective group.
Suggested Bet: UEFA EURO 2024-Group B-To Finish Bottom – Albania – No at 17/10
Group C: England, Denmark, Serbia, Slovenia
Beaten semi-finalists in the European Championship 2020, Denmark can impress once again, having finished top of their qualifiers in Group H. With England overwhelming favourites to win their group, Denmark is likely to follow in second place at 8/10.
Suggested Bet: UEFA EURO 2024 – Group C – Top 2 – Denmark at 8/10
Group D: France, Netherlands, Poland, Austria
Poland is likely to struggle with the likes of France and the Netherlands favoured to progress. With Austria impressing in the qualifiers by finishing runner-up in Group F, just one point behind Belgium, the Poles could potentially see an early exit from this tournament.
Suggested Bet: UEFA EURO 2024 – -Group D – To Finish Bottom – Poland – Yes at 8/11
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
A difficult group to dissect when one takes Belgium out of the equation. Without getting too fancy, perhaps backing the Red Devils along with another short-priced group favourite in a multiple could be the way to go.
Suggested Bet: UEFA EURO 2024 – Group E Winner – Belgium – Yes at 4/9 coupled with Portugal to win Group F at 4/9 with the double coming in at 21/20
Group F: Portugal, Turkiye, Georgia, Czech Republic
Having lost just once and finishing on top of their qualifying group, which included the likes of Wales and Croatia, Turkiye is likely to follow Portugal by securing a top-two spot to progress from Group F. First-timers Georgia could struggle to advance beyond the group stages, while the Czechs may have to settle for third place.
Suggested Bet: UEFA EURO 2024 – Group F – Dual Forecast– Portugal and Turkiye at 11/10
Look out for our betting previews for each match day
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
