Euro 2020 is now just three weeks away folks. The excitement in Europe is steadily mounting and is sure to be at fever pitch before the great kick-off on 11th June when Italy take on Turkey.
It’s been a long time coming but, with domestic matters on the continent reaching a conclusion, the European Championships are set to take centre stage where every nation will be out to beat World Champions France.
The Euro 2020 betting odds have moved slightly over the past two weeks and Les Bleus have emerged as outright favourites.
But there are some brilliant teams ready to challenge Didier Deschamps’ favourites and we’ll run the rule over the next two in line. But first, why are France the standout team?
France
Here at SBOTOP, the very latest Euro odds have elevated Les Bleus to the favourites at odds of 5.73 and there are a number of reasons.
Firstly they have a brilliant manager in Didier Deschamps who, since taking over in 2012, has moulded Les Bleus into world-beaters – reaching the final of Euro 2016 before winning the 2018 World Cup.
He’s only the third man to win the World Cup as a player and then as a manager and has a wealth of experience. Deschamps can get a tune out of midfield ace Paul Pogba, which Manchester United have consistently struggled to do.
Secondly, Les Bleus have Kylian Mbappe. The PSG striker took Russia 2018 by storm and, with 76 goals in 78 games for the Parisiens, he has become the world’s hottest property.
He’s already bagged 16 goals in 42 appearances for Les Bleus. And at 22 years of age, he is way off his prime and that’s a terrifying prospect for opponents.
And then, France has the know-how. Behind the flair players, N’Golo Kante remains one of the best holding midfielders in world football.
As a key man in Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea team, he is set to take part in the Champions League final against Manchester City.
His big game experience as a World Cup winner will be hugely important. And his Blues’ teammate Olivier Giroud is possibly the most underrated player in French football history as the nation’s second highest goal scorer of all time.
England
The Three Lions were previously joint favourites to win the tournament, but Gareth Southgate’s young team has drifted slightly to odds of 6.25, which is more likely a reflection of how strong Les Bleus are than any deficiencies in the England squad.
There has been a distraction surrounding captain and top scorer Harry Kane, who looks to be on his way out of Tottenham, with Manchester City and Chelsea circling.
Kane is one of the most lethal strikers in world football and he will be a good bet to add the Golden Boot to the one he won at Russia 2018, where England bowed out in the semifinal.
Southgate has an exciting array of talent at his disposal, with the young trio of Phil Foden, Mason Mount, and Jadon Sancho all enjoying outstanding seasons.
Pep Guardiola believes Foden could become Manchester City’s best player in time, while Mount has been Chelsea’s star since the arrival of Tuchel and Sancho has just picked up the DFB-Pokal Cup with Borussia Dortmund.
England’s Achilles heel could be at the back, where centre-back Harry Maguire is looking for a regular partner, and keeper Jordan Pickford has had a difficult season for Everton.
Southgate may opt for Nick Pope between the sticks. But while he’s an excellent keeper, the Burnley man has work to do on his distribution.
Belgium
The top-ranked nation in world football is third favourite at odds of 6.50. With the likes of Inter striker Romelu Lukaku, Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, and Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, they surely have a great chance.
The return to fitness of Kevin De Bruyne has helped to push Manchester City on to a Premier League title and the Champions League final, and he is the man capable of carving open any defence with a killer pass.
The only thing on the mind of Red Devils’ fans is that their team has been the world’s best for some time. But they have yet to win a trophy, finishing third at Russia 2018.
Of the other runners and riders, there are five more serious contenders to make up our quarterfinal candidates. Germany and Portugal are at odds of 9.00 and Spain is at 9.50, while Roberto Mancini’s resurgent Italians are an attractive 13.00 alongside the Netherlands.
Neither the Azzurri nor the Oranje made the finals of the Russia 2018 World Cup and it’s great to have them back! We’ll be back with more Euro 2020 news as we count down the days. But before that, there are matters to be settled in La Liga and the Champions League. Such exciting times!
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