The countdown for Euro 2020/21 is coming to an end, the excitement is building and the provident fund is ready for international investment (if you know, you know)…Read on to see how I see this years’ Euro unfolding in and amongst some excellent betting value!
Lowest Scoring Team: Hungary 5/1
Currently trading at around 5/1 on Hollywoodbets, I’m all over Hungary to be the lowest scoring side at Euro 2020/21. They will relish playing on one of the biggest stages in Europe, but might have had a few choice words when they saw the draw for the group stage.
Group F pits them next to France, Germany and Portugal. There’s separation of quality between these three and Hungary is somewhat uncomfortable, Hungary certainly won’t get out of the group and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Marco Rossi’s side fail to score even a single goal…
Highest Scoring Team: Belgium 11/2
I have my reservations about them winning the whole thing, but with a free flowing attacking side and world class players, they look the best bet for this market. Roberto Martinez will always set his side up to attack, this, coupled with a favourable group, they look poised to punish opponents.
Should you require any more confidence, have a look at the Red Devils’ recent prolific scoring record: 16 goals in Russia during the World Cup and another 16 goals (in just six games) during the Nations League…yes, for these purposes we will consider the latter a tournament.
To Reach the Quarter-Finals: Portugal 11/10
Portugal will begin the defence of their Euro title after ending their international “so close and yet so far” cascade in 2016. The history behind the Portuguese side is quite remarkable, since 1996 they have never failed to make the quarter-finals and in Fernando Santos, they have a manager who has lost just on 20 occasions (in all competitions) in over 150 international games for Portugal and Greece.
The squad is absolutely stacked with quality, from top to bottom they have exceptional players in every position. Rui Patricio was instrumental in their 2016 success with his experience and often underrated leadership; and the likes of Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo compliment and complete the spine of the team.
The concern is the group, they have been drawn in group F alongside France, Germany and Hungary. Admittedly it is the group of death but even if Portugal were to qualify through the best 3rd placed team, they have shown an incredible comfort in scrapping through and really just getting by – but to be honest I worry for Germany in this group…
I think punters will overlook Portugal, but this will be done at their betting slips peril. At 11/10, back Os Navegadores to find their way into the quarter-finals.
To Reach The Semi-Finals: Denmark 4/1
The Dane’s will be wanting to replicate their European days of glory and once again be crowned Euro Champions. Their qualifiers left a lot to be desired though and Kasper Hjulmand’s men might be fortunate to even be in the finals. Nevertheless, under the managers guise, this Denmark squad is balanced with enough young talent whilst still adding just a touch of experience.
An unwavering reliance on Christian Eriksen in front of goal does suggest cause for concern, but we often forget the quality they have elsewhere… Kasper Schmeichel in goal; Jannik Vestergaard and Andreas Christensen holding together their defence; and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Mathias Jensen in midfield.
But Denmark could really be a shrewd bet to reach the last 4, Belgium are sure to win the group and I’m backing De rød-hvide to finish second. Switzerland, Wales or Turkey will likely await in the Round of 16 and, should they get through that test, they could face the Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria or North Macedonia.
I’m not suggesting this is an easy ride through to the semi-finals, but Denmark are a good side and their possible route is certainly less complicated than most whilst also avoiding so-called ‘bigger’ nations who are primed for this tournament. At 4/1, lets go the Danish Dynamite!
To Reach the Finals: Spain 15/4
A lot has been said about Spain recently, they’ve lost their gloss at international tournaments…the days of ‘tiki-taka’ is over…their veterans are aged and washed-up…Coach Luis Enrique is running out of ideas and struggling to put together a cohesive and competitive Spanish outfit.
I’m not suggesting Spain is without its ‘growing pains’ (shall we say) but this is natural for any sports side in the world. This is the beginning of a new era and its exciting to see how this new crop of Spanish players pay homage to what their country has achieved in the last decade and a bit.
All through qualifying and the international friendlies, Enrique has experimented in nearly every position. This is evidenced by their disappointing 1-1 draw with Greece in their World Cup qualifier, but often their 6-0 drubbing of Germany in the Nations League is forgotten.
This Spanish side is laden with quality, pride, ability and a freshness – even without Real Madrid players. Their young attacking options include Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Adama Traore, but they are complimented with experienced players who have much more to offer in their own right: Aymeric Laporte, Thiago Alcantara and Alvaro Morata – players who can certainly turn it on and produce something special.
For me, Rodri and Cesar Azpilicueta are two players who need to have an incredible tournament for their team to have a successful summer in the Euro. Rodri will likely take over from where Sergio Busquets’s left off in the heart of midfield whilst Azpilicueta will be looked at for leadership, direction and just driving his side forward from the back. Just in writing this article I’m getting excited about this tournament and indeed Spain’s chances! 15/4 is a gift for this international powerhouse to reach the finals and I’m certainly all in.
Euro 2020/21 Winner: France 5/1
I know this is dangerous to say, but this Euro is truly France’s to lose. Their squad is literally the personification of sporting confidence at the moment and with no real injury concerns, not only is their side in a good place but also ready to fire on all cylinders.
To make things tastier, France will face Germany, Portugal and Hungary in the group stages of the tournament, and I think that aids France further. They will have to be switched on from the beginning and can only get better as the tournament progresses.
Didier Deschamps will lead his countrymen into the Euro as world champions looking to win the Euro for the first time in 21 years. A star-studded side in every position with a rather conservative manager who knows how to win makes Les Bleus a serious threat. This is a French golden generation, and we are privileged to enjoy it, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Benjamin Pavard are incredible players, along with others, who can really take their country to new heights of global domination.
Often, we all talk about the French attacking options, but I think their real quality and match winning potential is quietly nestled in their midfield and defensive ranks. Deschamps will know that the combinations available to him during the tournament will need to be both versatile but also incredibly organized – this is achieved through players like N’Golo Kante, Lucas Digne, Benjamin Pavard, Kingsley Coman and Thomas Lemar.
It would be remiss of me to not mention the return of Karim Benzema to this squad and all the quality, leadership and experience he brings only furthers the cause for this already fantastic side.
France can inflict real damage to oppositions and are my strong selection to win Euro 2020/21.
Player of the tournament: Kylian Mbappe 8/1
If the betting is anything to go by, this seems to be a three-horse race between Kylian Mbappe, Kevin de Bruyne and Harry Kane.
De Bruyne had a fine domestic season with Manchester City, but fractured his nose and eye socket during his side’s Champions League final defeat to Chelsea. Kane is something of an enigma, you just don’t know which Kane arrives. I do think he could make a claim for the title of Player of the Tournament as he looks to effectively put out his CV to an international audience.
However, Kylian Mbappe is my selection. His performance at the World Cup was exceptional, and saw the young ace land Best Young Player award at the age of 19. Since then, he has been brilliant for his club, netting 27 goals in Ligue 1 and eight in the Champions League.
I am intrigued to see how much game time he gets throughout the competition, but should he start central or down either flank, he still poses a huge threat and will be instrumental in his countries claim for follow-up glory.
Top Goal Scorer: Karim Benzema 16/1
Harry Kane is clearly the favourite for the bookmakers, and possibly rightly so. Bagging the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot award, Kane will lead the line for England and given the Three Lions could possibly play their entire tournament at Wembley Stadium, I wouldn’t discourage you having a little dabble on the Tottenham striker.
If, like me, you want a little more calculated value, the returning French striker Karim Benzema is a toothsome option. Making his return on the international stage for the first time in five years, Benzema finished second to Messi in La Liga this season and will bring that domestic form into a France side that will go the distance.
Add that to the fact that he’ll lead the line alongside Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. This would be a poetic and certainly profitable selection – I’m in!
Young Player of the Tournament: Phil Foden 5/1
Manchester City youngster Phil Foden is the favourite to win the award and I can’t disagree with this estimation. The young Brit collected Premier League and League Cup winner medals this year and was incredibly important to a very talented and dog-eat-dog Pep Guardiola side.
Foden is a sensational player and could prove to be vital to England’s midfield – an area where a few questions have been raised. I think he makes his mark in a big way this tournament and is my pick here – maybe Pep could shed a few genuine tears seeing his club’s youngster come home with the accolade…
Something Extra from Hollywoodbets!
The Euro is certainly a betting feast – and we should dig in! Hollywoodbets is offering some extra betting markets for the palate to enjoy. You can combine some of my selections into the following for some real value:
Euro 2020/21 Winner + Top Goal Scorer: France & Karim Benzema 40/1
Name the Finalists: France & Spain 20/1
Wishing you the very best for all of your Euro betting, here’s to an exciting, aggressive, enchanting and solvent month of the finest European international football!
Written by Ryan Liberty