Prepare for a summer packed with football as the European Championships is about to get underway. A year after originally scheduled, but it’s definitely a case of better late than never as football fans get to enjoy an added bonus to a year of football that’s already come thick and fast.
It’s never been easier to find out all the need to know info ahead of the tournament to get clued up for Euro 2021 betting and that’s why we’re taking a look at who the favourites are to win the Euros and why as well as the outsiders who will fancy their chances.
England and France top favourites list
The cross channel rivals are currently topping the odds with a number of online bookmakers and backing one or the other to be victorious at this year’s Euros. Both England and France are currently priced at around 5/1 in the winners odds.
Les Bleus will be looking to complete a back to back set, hoping to bounce on favourably from their victorious campaign at the World Cup just three years ago. France manager Didier Deschamps alongside many more in his troop now have invaluable experience of winning a major tournament already under their belts.
The provisional squad listings are already in for all teams in the competition but Gareth Southgate has one of the most difficult jobs of any national team manager, such is the array of talent that the Three Lions currently possess.
England go into the tournament as joint-favourites with the French after a strong campaign at the World Cup which saw them finish fourth, followed by a Nations League slip in the final to the Netherlands. The English performed strongly in their qualifying group as is usually expected, but many still doubt whether they have nerves or the right tactics to lift a major trophy.
Old guard make up outside favourites
Aside from the Belgians who are generally considered to be the strongest side according to the odds at 6/1, the list of outside favourites are a familiar sight. Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Italy will all fancy their chances despite mixed fortunes in recent years.
Germany emerged from an embarrassing World Cup group stage exit in patchy form as of late, but did what was required to top their qualifying group en route to the Euros. It’s Joachim Löw’s last tournament in charge and questions remain as to whether he can knit together a disparate team of young talent into emerging victorious.
Portugal fended off favourites France five years ago in a tense final in the suburbs of Paris. Their squad is arguably even stronger right now with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix aside from a whole host of Manchester City talents. Many are writing off the Portuguese but do so at your own peril. They will put up a fierce fight to defend their title.
A number of football betting tips backed Spain to go all the way at the Euros last time round. It’s been a few years of turbulent transition for a Spain side that has had to bid farewell to its golden generation of a decade ago. Manager Luis Enrique has shocked many by not selecting any Real Madrid players as well as whole host of other established names. Nevertheless the Spanish go into the tournament at around 8/1.
Italy and the Netherlands, two major footballing powers of note have also undergone a transitional period in recent years also. The Dutch are back in a major competition for the first time in three attempts, while the Italians return to the Euros having missed out on a summer in Russia.
Both sides have a lot to shout about. The Netherlands emerged victorious from the Nations League, and Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri side are currently undefeated in 26 matches, a run stretching back to October 2018.
Scotland and Wales are currently among the rank outsiders to lift this year’s European Championship. The Scots have qualified for their first major tournament since the dawn of the millennium and the Welsh will be hoping for a strong run that saw them make it to the semi-finals last time out.
Wales are currently 200/1 to win the tournament and Scotland 250/1, but with a number of third place qualifying places up for grabs don’t be shocked if you see either one make it to the knockout stages.
