The main football betting tips event of the summer is just a week away folks: prepare for a five-week onslaught of quality football, shock results and all manner of goodness courtesy of Euro 2016 in France.
But who will be lifting the Euro 2016 trophy come July 10 at the Stade de France?
Of the Favourites….
France
History is on France’s side as they look to claim a third major tournament win on home soil, and happily for them the draw has been kind. There’s nothing like an easy group to ease your way into a competition, and the trio of Albania, Austria and Romania represents a nice easy ‘in’ for the French.
Should they top Group A then they will head into the stacked half of the draw which could pit them against Germany, Belgium and even talented lesser lights such as Croatia and Turkey. That’s not ideal.
But they clearly have talent, and impressive results in recent friendlies will do little to dispel the notion that this could be France’s year. They deserve bookmaker favouritism at 16/5 (Ladbrokes), and only a potential last four meeting with Germany could scupper their hopes.
Germany
As above, so below. We expect Germany to make serene progress to the latter stages, with comfortable victories over Ukraine and Northern Ireland likely to secure them top spot in Group C.
From there they could face either Croatia or Belgium in the last eight – a challenge, but not insurmountable – before that semi-final equation featuring France will need solving.
Given that the Germans are the reigning world champions and have a habit of just getting the job done in big tournaments, many will be siding with them at 9/2 (Coral).
Spain
One team that many pundits seem to be overlooking is Spain. Looking for an unprecedented hat-trick of European Championship titles, the Spaniards will benefit hugely from topping Group D if they can. That will be a tough test – the Czech Republic, Croatia and Turkey stand before them – but if they can finish top of that heap then they will be rewarded with a princely route to the latter stages….
First up would be a likely last 16 date with either the Republic of Ireland or Sweden, followed by a subsequent set of opponents featuring Poland and then one of England/Italy/Portugal. There are worse draws, that’s for sure. That price of 11/2 with bet365 looks very tempting indeed…..
Those Set to Disappoint
Belgium
With all the quality at their disposal, Belgium will be quietly fancied to go deep into Euro 2016. And while we agree with that assertion to some extent, their draw has not been favourable.
A group featuring Italy, Republic of Ireland and Sweden clearly features obstacles, and even if they win it the Belgians will slide into the right-hand side of the draw where potential opponents include Croatia, France and Germany.
For a team with little major tournament pedigree, expect them to fall at one of those lofty hurdles.
Italy
This could be the weakest Italy squad in decades; we take no pleasure in saying that, but one look at the personnel available suggests that is the case.
Defensively they will be sound – the Juventus trio of Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will see to that – but in attack there is a real lack of quality.
Potential centre forward options include Graziano Pelle, who couldn’t get in the Southampton side at times last season, Ciro Immobile – farmed out by Borussia Dortmund to Torino, and Eder, whose career goal tally of 49 in 179 is hardly legendary.
Dark Horses
England
Bias aside, is this the best chance that England have had to win a major tournament in the past 50 years?
You would suggest so from their agreeable group (Russia, Wales, Slovakia), to their potential route to the final: Romania/Portugal/Spain.
Factor in that Roy Hodgson will field a side steeped in youthful fearlessness and good form – Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier et al – and for once, perhaps the hype is justified.
Odds of 9/1 (SkyBet) are not representative of a ‘dark horse’, but England must be considered that in France.
Poland
If you want to win a major tournament then you need to be able to score goals; and that is a currency which this Poland outfit does not want for.
No team scored more than them in Euro 2016 qualifying, and in Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik they boast a strikeforce as prolific as any other in the competition. They struck a combined 19 times in qualifying, and registered more than 60 goals between them in domestic action this season (Lewandowski 42 for Bayern, Milik 23 for Ajax).
At a best price of 50/1 with Betfred, there will be no shortage of interest in this Polish firepower.
