You could make a solid case for six or seven nations lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy on July 11th and this edition of the European Championships looks one of the hardest to call. Undeterred, SlipsTips gives it a go.
Who will win Euro 2020?
France are worthy favourites at 5/1 (PaddyPower) to add the European crown to their World Cup triumph of three years ago.
Didier Deschamps has kept the core of the squad that conquered the world in a wonderfully comprehensive manner and Karim Benzema has been welcomed back into the fold, further bolstering an already fearsome forward line.
Indeed, France have been drawn in the group of death and they won’t play any matches on home soil, but Les Bleus are the most likely winners of Group F, not to mention the four best third-placed finishers will advance to the last-16.
What’s more, fatigue could be an issue for all teams involved after a long season and France have arguably the greatest strength in depth in the competition and that could be crucial.
The French squad is packed with world-class stars and it will take something special to knock them off their perch if they can navigate their way through Group F.
Deschamps knows his best team and whilst his pragmatic style will win few plaudits, it’s an approach that tends to work well in international tournaments.
Anything else catch the eye?
Italy have been a resurgent force under Roberto Mancini and they will be desperate for redemption when they commence their return to the grand stage this Summer.
The Azzurri inexplicably failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup – a first in the nation’s history since 1958 – but ex-Man City boss Mancini has since brought a real sense of optimism back to the international scene in Italy.
The Italians left nothing to chance in qualifying for Euro 2020 with a flawless 100 percent record, a run of form that has coincided with Italy’s current 27-match unbeaten streak.
Mancini and co will be quietly confident that they can extend that impressive sequence given that their three Group A assignments are being staged at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome – a venue where they haven’t lost since 2013.
Granted, Italy do not have an abundance of star names in their squad, but they possess a fine blend of youth and experience and, as ever, they should be defensively sound.
With home advantage in the groups, coupled with a favourable draw until at least the last-eight, the Italians could be real contenders to conquer the continent at 11/1 with Sky Bet.
Dark horse
Denmark are one of the tournament dark horses and they could give punters a good run for their money at 28/1 with Bet 365.
Kasper Hjulmand has a significant contingent of players from Europe’s top leagues to call upon and they also have the advantage of playing all three of their Group B matches in Copenhagen.
The Danes demonstrated their defensive resolve at the 2018 World Cup when drawing with eventual winners France and it’s also worth noting that they have only lost two competitive matches inside 90 matches since October 2016.
Denmark showed 29 years ago that footballing upsets can happen and their defensive solidity and experience could see them go deep in the tournament and outperform their lofty odds.
Recommended Bets
- France to win Euro 2020 – 5/1 (PaddyPower)
- Italy to win Euro 2020 – each-way – 11/1 (SkyBet)
- Denmark to win Euro 2020 – each-way – 28/1 (Bet 365)
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