Gareth Southgate's side have struggled to qualify, winning seven of their eight games and allowing 37 goals to secure a place in the final. However, they were placed in the Group D and drawn with Croatia and the Czech Republic, two teams that have prevailed in recent years.
Gareth Southgate's team will have to survive a knockout game in the capital if they are to emerge victorious from Group D, but on the way there, no-one has the idea of facing England at Wembley fortress. Don't forget that the core of this squad, which surprised many when it reached the World Cup final three years ago, is as experienced as ever and Southgate has called on a number of Europe's most exciting and talented young strikers to complement them.
England and France are 5 / 1 joint favorites to win Euro 2020 while Belgium, the top no 1 team in the world, are third favourites. England are an exciting young team and will be hoping that they can do even better than they did in their Semi-Final in the 2018 World Cup. The England manager has got key players such as Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson fit again for the knock-out stages so expect the three lions to strengthen as the tournament progresses.
Three years ago in Russia, England (5 / 1) were unlucky to lose in the semi-finals to Croatia and it looks like they've run out of steam. France and Belgium are the only European teams to reach the quarter-finals of the last three major tournaments. There is little chance that either side will make it this far. Spain ruled the world from 2008 to 2012, squeezed between two European Championship titles but elimination from the last 16 round of the finals has not improved their chances of winning Euro 2020 and according to our model (11.3%) they are the third favourite.
The World Cup winners have the same manager, the same squad as in 2018, and their star player Kylian Mbappe has only improved since then. A group featuring Germany and Portugal means they stand a good chance of progressing further than England, and their squad has improved since the World Cup. Otherwise we would put them fifth in the table of favourites behind Germany.
Dublin’s last 16 tie has been moved to Wembley as an incentive to the Three Lions to top their group and ensure they play in north London.
The first task for the defending champions is Group F, which itself is the history of the group stage. Scroll through the group and you'll see tournament favourite France battling it through the group stage with the defending champions Portugal and Germany, a team that reached the semifinals of the European championship in two successive tournaments.
Each of these teams has plenty of potential breakout stars who could show up and help them get out of the group draw. With 24 teams competing, the focus is on France, the reigning world champions, who look strong, at least on paper. Over the next month you can follow them in action with a pre-tournament odds for each team to win the Euro Cup thanks to FanDuel Sportsbook and Caesar and William Hill.
Our panel of experts have sorted it out with their predictions and bracket picks. ( ) French the reigning world champions that, on paper at least, look as strong as ever, have the strongest squad for the tournament, and with coach Didier Deschamps "experience of grinding out results and a clear draw, they should lead a difficult group. Portugal are reigning european champions and have added the UEFA Nations League trophy to their list of achievements but there are a host of other contenders who could make for a dramatic and dynamic contest.
Euro 2020 is upon us and promises to be an extraordinary tournament. Les Bleus will try to become the fourth team to win the World Cup and the European Championship in no particular order: West Germany (Euro 1972, World Cup 1974), Spain (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012) and France (World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000). If France and Didier Deschamps can lift the Henri Delaunay trophy, they will be the first team to win the tournament both as a player and a manager.
There are no automatic qualification places for Euro 2020, as a host of different countries will host matches, meaning teams will have to do so in the usual way - by winning groups and play-offs. If you feel you would prefer to postpone Euro 2020 step by step, the lucrative betting odds at Bovada have made it even easier to host the tournament. The last host of a major tournament goes to Europe without knowing whether it will qualify for the group stage.
Spain are 7-1 to become the most successful team at the European championship by winning their fourth title. La Roja won the tournament in 2008 and 2012 and became the first team to retain the title. It will play to make up for a disappointing finish at the 2018 World Cup.
What I like is that there is an opportunity for Italy, who have recovered well after missing out on qualification for the 2018 World Cup. Under Roberto Mancini, the Azzurri have a 100 per cent record (won 10 qualifiers and group games) for Euro 2020, with 37 goals and only four victors.
Luka Modric is 35 and Mario Mandzukic is away, but that was the last time the core of the team played together at the 2018 World Cup finals. The West Ham duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek give a strong presence to a team peppered with established attacking stars.
After the loss of the goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen for the tournament, it will be a bit tricky for the Netherlands who want to win Group C. Ukraine will sneak a lot past Austria and get a second chance as the best third. But don't worry about Stanislav Cherchesov's moustache, he will be one of the third-placed teams going into the knockout stage.
About the Creator
Angels on the pitch.
In the heart of a bustling city, where the rhythm of life pulses through the streets like a steady heartbeat, there existed a small soccer field tucked away from the chaos. This field wasn't just any ordinary patch of grass; it was a sanctuary, a place where dreams took flight on the wings of determination and passion. It was here that the story of the angels of the pitch unfolded.At the crack of dawn, when the world was still cloaked in darkness, a group of young boys and girls would gather at the field, their cleats clicking against the pavement as they made their way to the hallowed ground. Among them was Alex, a talented midfielder with a heart of gold and feet that danced with grace across the turf.On one particular morning, as the sun began to peek over the horizon, Alex noticed something peculiar. A pair of worn-out cleats lay abandoned near the goalpost, as if waiting to be discovered. Intrigued, Alex approached the cleats and picked them up, examining them with curiosity. Despite their battered appearance, there was an air of magic about them, as if they held a story waiting to be told."Hey, check these out!" Alex called out to the others, holding up the cleats for all to see.The group gathered around, their eyes widening in wonder as they beheld the mysterious footwear. They had heard tales of legendary players who had once graced the field, but never had they come across such a tangible relic of the past."Maybe they belong to one of the angels," whispered Mia, the team's star striker, her voice barely above a breath."Angels?" scoffed Diego, the goalkeeper, a skeptic to the core. "There's no such thing."But Alex knew better. There was a magic in the air that morning, a sense of possibility that transcended the boundaries of belief. With a determined gleam in his eye, he slipped on the cleats, feeling a surge of energy course through his veins like electricity.As the team began their training session, something extraordinary happened. Alex moved with a newfound agility, his every step infused with the spirit of those who had come before him. With each pass and shot, he felt as if he were channeling the skill and wisdom of the angels of the pitch.As the days turned into weeks, Alex's teammates couldn't help but notice the change in him. His once tentative touches had been replaced by a confidence that bordered on the divine. It was as if he had been touched by an unseen hand, guided by forces beyond mortal comprehension.But with great power came great responsibility, and Alex knew that he couldn't keep the secret of the cleats to himself forever. So one evening, as the sun dipped below the skyline and the field was bathed in the soft glow of twilight, he gathered his teammates around him and revealed the truth."These cleats," he began, his voice steady with conviction, "they're not just ordinary shoes. They're a reminder of all those who have played on this field before us, of the angels who watch over us even now."The others listened in rapt silence as Alex recounted the legend of the angels of the pitch, of how they had once roamed the earth spreading joy and inspiration through the beautiful game of soccer. And as he spoke, they felt a sense of awe wash over them, as if they were being blessed by unseen hands.From that day forward, the cleats became more than just a pair of shoes; they became a symbol of hope and unity for the team. With each passing game, they would lace up their boots and take to the field with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that they were not alone in their quest for victory.And so, the angels of the pitch continued to weave their magic, their presence felt in every pass, every tackle, every goal. For on that sacred ground, where dreams took flight and legends were born, they watched over their earthly counterparts with pride and affection, forever guiding them towards greatness.
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