Euro 2024 preview: The shape of the main contenders

Euro 2024 preview: The shape of the main contenders

With Scotland set to feature in their first Euro Championships Finals for eight years, the excitement is starting to build. Euro 2024 wallcharts are getting put up, Panini stickers are being swapped with abandon, and the betting sites are honing their odds to reflect the various Euro 2024 betting markets. The tournament start is not long away, and it’s a big kick-off for the Scots, with Steve Clarke’s men lining up against hosts Germany in the opening game in Munich on 14th June.  

But what’s the shape of the main contenders as we approach the main event? Here we take a look at who’s in form, who has a sick list like an NHS hospital, and who is hitting their straps just in time for the main event. We also list the current Euro 2024 betting odds for each of the five main favourites.

England – Current odds of around 3/1

Gareth Southgate’s England have been much hyped for years now after strong showings at the last couple of World Cups and reaching the final of Euro 2020, which they lost on penalties to Italy at Wembley. The English have some impressive players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, with all three in pretty scintillating form for their clubs this campaign. Yet that hasn’t translated to much good recent form for the national side – it’s now three games without a win. Another issue for the English has been the lengthy injury list that has seen the defence in particular ravaged. That patched up backline doesn’t look Euro title ready, all things considered. The limitations of a 26-man squad may also pose a challenge.

France - Current odds of around 7/2

Another of the hot favourites for the Euro crown, France have a squad that is the envy of the rest of the world. And with players hitting form at the crunch end of the season, along with a pretty injury-free outlook, things are shaping up nicely for Didier Deschamps once again. Kylian Mbappe has a hatful of goals at club level once more, but speculation over his future could bring an element of circus to the camp that their coach could well do without. Strong favourites in our book, even if the bookies don’t quite agree.

Germany – Current odds of around 11/2

Not long ago, hosts Germany were in turmoil. Coach Hansi Flick was fired after an embarrassing 4-1 reverse at the hands of Japan, but since the appointment of Julien Nagelsmann, results have well and truly been on the up. Recent wins over huge rivals France and the Netherlands, along with the return of influential midfielder Tony Kroos, means optimism has returned to the German set-up. And it’s never any surprise to see Germany hit form at just the right time for a big tournament. Being at home, and with plenty of players such as Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz bang in form, we could yet see a home triumph, something that seemed like a pipedream just a year ago. They’ve quietly slipped up to third favourites with the bookmakers.

Spain - Current odds of around 8/1

Another team who are usually there or thereabouts, the performances of Real Madrid in this season’s Champions league certainly bodes well for a Spanish tilt at the title. Barcelona and Atletico have had indifferent seasons, though, and influential playmaker Gavi, the Barcelona star, is unlikely to recover in time from his cruciate ligament injury that has kept him out since November. Spain perhaps lack the depth of previous tournaments – especially their heyday of 15 years ago – but remain a huge threat. The team’s results since their surprise defeat to Morocco in the World Cup have been impressive too, with only one defeat in the last ten.

Portugal – Current odds of around 8/1

Roberto Martinez’s Portugal were on an impressive run of results before a 2-0 reverse against Slovenia in their last outing. That game, however, was a friendly, and the team secured ten wins out of ten in qualifying, albeit in a pretty straightforward group. Only two goals against reads impressively, though, and the squad is arguably as strong as it has ever been. Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo is now 39, but the supporting cast would be the envy of every other nation. Man City duo Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva are two standout names, but when you throw in Diogo Jota, Joao Felix, Rafeal Leao, Bruno Fernandes and so on into the mix, it’s one helluva lineup. Don’t be surprised to see Ronaldo go out with bang here, although you couldn’t rule out another World Cup for the ageless legend either.

Scotland – Current odds of around 80/1

Okay, a wee bit cheeky of us sneaking in Scotland to this list of favourites, especially considering the run of form we’ve been on. After the ecstasy of securing qualification with a run of impressive wins, especially over Spain, it’s been a tough trot of results for Steve Clarke and his men, culminating in one of the worst runs of form for nearly 20 years. However, we must remain positive. And the Tartan Army will be like an extra player when we take to the pitch in Munich on 14th June.