Euro 2020 finally gets underway on June 11 and our writers have been assessing who they think will shine in the tournament. Read on as they pick out who they think will be crowned European champions, who will make the final, who will claim the Golden Boot and how England, Scotland and Wales will fare this summer!
Who has the strongest #EURO2020 squad?
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 2, 2021
Mark Langdon
England: The talent is obvious but the draw is much more difficult than people appreciate and the last-16 could be where it all ends for the Three Lions. If they win their group then one of Germany, Portugal or France could be waiting at that stage.
Scotland: Two home matches gives Scotland a chance of getting out of the group but in recent qualifying tournaments the Czechs beat England and drew with Belgium, while Croatia still have talent like Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic so it could be three and out.
Wales: The semi-finalists of Euro 2016 look worth backing not to qualify from Group A at 5/6. Italy are looking like a class act, Turkey have more firepower than Wales and Switzerland are a well-organised, stubborn side who are more consistent.
Finalists: France and Denmark
Top scorer: Romelu Lukaku
Aidan Perkins
England: A place in the final beckons for Gareth Southgate’s side who appear to have one of the youngest and most exciting squads in the tournament. England are 4/11 to win their group.
Wales: The squad looks limited with only a couple of top-notch players in their ranks in the shape of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale. Getting out of the group may be the best they can hope for.
Scotland: The Scots are back in a major summer tournament for the first time since 1998 but they will struggle to get out of Group D alongside England, Croatia and Czech Republic and an early exit beckons.
Finalists: England and France.
Winners: France.
Top-scorer: Kylian Mbappe.
James Mason
England: A squad bursting with talent in midfield and attack, England should have enough quality to reach the semi-finals. However, frailties at the back and fitness concerns over Harry Maguire could hamper the Three Lions badly. Gareth Southgate’s men may fall at the semi-final hurdle again.
Wales: Still heavily reliant on Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, Wales’ lack of strength in depth is a real concern and they are unlikely to repeat their 2016 semi-final heroics. In a group with Turkey, Italy and Switzerland, Robert Page’s men look set for an early exit.
Scotland: This is arguably Scotland’s strongest squad since 1998 and they finally look to have a goalscorer in the shape of Southampton star Che Adams. Midfield and attack are both strong, but there are still questions marks over their defence and a run to the last-16 is probably the best they can do. Scotland exiting at the last-16 stage is on offer at 2/1.
Finalists: France and Italy.
Winners: Italy.
Top-scorer: Romelu Lukaku.
Thomas Hill
England: England should have enough quality to reach the quarter-finals, but their recent negative performances could be their undoing this summer. England going out at the last-16 stage is 5/4.
Wales: Robert Page’s side have been handed a tough challenge in Group A, and they will struggle to make the knockout stages with Italy, Switzerland and Turkey in their way. Wales are 5/6 to exit at the group stage.
Scotland: Like Wales, Steve Clarke’s team have been handed a tricky draw, and with it being their first tournament since 1998, they will just be hoping to enjoy the experience this summer.
Finalists: Italy and France.
Winners: France.
Top-scorer: Kylian Mbappe.
Tom McGarry
England: Gareth Southgate’s side are one of the favourites heading into the tournament, but a potential showdown with World Cup winners France, defending champions Portugal or old enemy Germany in the last 16 could scupper the Three Lions’ chances of going far.
Wales: The star names that guided Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 appear to be past their best and it could well be a struggle for Robert Page’s side to even get out of their group.
Scotland: Many people have wrote Scotland off ahead of their first major tournament in 23 years, but Steve Clarke’s side have lost just twice in 15 matches and could spring a surprise, particularly as two of their three group games will be played on home soil.
Finalists: France and Denmark
Winners: France
Top-scorer: Karim Benzema
*All odds correct at time of writing