The biggest continental competition for national teams in Europe is just around the corner as Euro 2024 kicks off on Friday, June 14. Germany take on Scotland in the inaugural game of the tournament. The tournament’s main favourites England and France will be in action on Sunday and Monday, taking on Serbia and Austria respectively.
With plenty of storylines ready to be written, a double-digit list of potential contenders, and exciting dark horses, the quest for the ultimate European glory can easily shape up to be among the very best in the history of the competition.
It is an ideal time to take a look at possible scenarios and each team’s chances of reaching the latter stages of the tournament. We have asked Tyler Morris, head of content at bettingTips4you to help us out with the analysis. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the opportunities available.
Group A: Hosts at the Top, Other Positions up for Grabs
The host nation has not won the European Championship since 1984 (France). There is nothing to suggest the termination of such a trend ahead of the 2024 edition as Germany are playing some of their worst football in decades. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann possesses enough talent in his ranks with the likes of Leroy Sane, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Ilkay Gundogan, etc. Nevertheless, Die Mannschaft have lost five of their previous eight games. It is by no means the kind of form you want to carry into the biggest continental tournament.
That said, Germany should still have enough for the top spot in Group A as a host nation. They will be the favourites in all three games individually and we would not even be surprised to see Nagelsmann’s troops snatching nine points along the way. You can back Germany to win the group at the 1.40 (2/5) odds.
Things will get exciting in the battle for the second and third place. Hungary, Switzerland, and Scotland all have something to hope for. Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai has been the main catalyst on Hungary’s run to first place in their qualifying group. Switzerland have regularly passed the group stages at big events in recent years, while Scotland enjoyed a scintillating qualifying run of their own. In these circumstances, we will go for the value and back Scotland to advance from this group at the 1.72 (8/11) odds. Make us proud John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Andy Robertson, and Kieran Tierney.
Group B: A Three-Horse Race, Albania Heavy Underdogs
Albania will make their debut in a major tournament this summer and they could have hardly asked for a more spectacular group. The debutants will face three top 10 teams in the FIFA rankings. As impressive as Sylvinho’s troops have been during the qualifying campaign, a true miracle should happen for them to avoid three losses on German soil.
As for the three heavyweights, anything is possible in their head-to-head encounters. Croatia did claim silver and bronze in the previous two World Cup editions but their golden generation players are past their primes. Reigning champions Italy have missed the World Cup in Qatar altogether and they’ll be super-motivated to bounce back with a big result in Germany. Spain possess quality all over the place, especially in midfield. Looking at the odds, the best value is with Italy to win the group at the 3.75 (11/4) price tag.
Group C: England Main Contenders to Win it All, Denmark and Serbia Battling for Second Place
Brace yourselves for more “It’s Coming Home” quotes during the whole tournament as England are aiming to finally end a lengthy drought without a big trophy. It’s been more than half a century since the Three Lions have last won a major tournament (1966). Gareth Southgate has led them to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia and the Euro 2020 final. It is time for the silverware? If we look at the strength of their roster, the answer has to be positive. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice are all enjoying the best form of their lives in club football this season. If England win Group C, they will not face another group winner before the semi-finals. Those who like safe bets can back Southgate’s men to top Group C at the 1.40 (2/5) odds. Braver tipsters can shoot for England to win Euro 2024 at the 4.50 (7/2) odds.
Denmark and Serbia will battle each other for the second place in the group while Slovenia will hardly get any points in such a fierce competition. In terms of value, we like Serbia to advance to the knockout phase at the 1.57 (4/7) odds.
Group D: France Ready to Make Amends, Oranje Poised for the Runner-Up Finish
Les Bleus return to the big stage after a painful loss to Argentina on penalties in the World Cup final. Didier Deschamps’ men are looking to make amends for the poor campaign in the previous Euro edition. The French team were stopped in the round of 16, falling to Switzerland (also on penalties) on the occasion. France are stacked with extraordinary quality all over the pitch and they deservedly carry the favourites’ tag to win it all (alongside England). These two nations will likely meet in the semi-finals of the tournament according to the projections. Whoever wins that bout will likely lift the trophy. Much like England, France are 4.50 (7/2) to go all the way.
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria dispatched Sweden home and away during the qualifying campaign. Nevertheless, they are the underdogs in the battle for the runners-up finish in Group D as the Netherlands should grab it with a star-studded back line, an exciting blend of youth and experience in midfield, and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo up front.
Group E: Belgium Had Luck with the Draw, Ukraine Offer Value as the Potential Dark Horse
Belgium’s golden generation has faded but the Red Devils should not have too many problems reaching the knockout stage in arguably the weakest group in the tournament. Belgium have been drawn with Slovakia, Romania, and the Playoff B winner (most likely Ukraine). While they are favourites in all three games on paper, the likes of Ukraine might give them a game in a head-to-head encounter.
The Ukrainians are stacked with in-form players all over the pitch. If they justify the favourites’ tag and win the Playoff B path, they could cause damage in this group. With all due respect to Slovakia and Romania, they lack both quality and experience to compete at the highest level. You can back the Playoff Path B winner to top this group at the sky-high 8.00 (7/1) odds. In reality, you are getting this price for Ukraine to be better than Belgium in this section. We’ll take it all day long in given circumstances.
Group F: Portugal Possess Talent to Go All the Way, Turkey above Others in Quest for Second Place
A squad that has the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo has to be considered among the closest favourites for the crown. Portugal stormed past their rivals in a fairly easy qualifying group, boasting an impressive record of ten wins in ten outings along the way. They should not have any problems topping Group F and they certainly have enough quality to challenge for the title in Germany. The value is by all means there at the 9.00 (8/1) odds offered for their title.
As for the rest, we fancy Turkey to come second, following their impressive qualifying run. Vincenzo Montella’s men topped their qualifying group above the likes of Croatia and Wales. They should have what it takes to beat Czechia in this section. The Czechs endured a subpar campaign in the qualifications, finishing second to Albania with just four wins in eight outings. One of these victories was a narrow 1-0 success against the likes of Faroe Islands. Whoever makes it to this section from Playoff C path (most likely Greece) will hardly get in a position to challenge for the top two spots.
