The front-runners for Euro 2016
It’s been a high enjoyable start to the domestic campaign, with clubs in England you wouldn’t expect to be, performing above their level – and some of the clubs you would expect to do well, massively performing below theirs. But it may have slipped the minds of a few football fans that we are only eight months away from a whole month of football, with the European Championships in France starting.
The usual suspects are being touted to win the tournament, but there are a few surprise names that are not fancied at next year’s championship, with Italy and Portugal not favoured.
The world champions Germany are the clear favourites with the bookies once again, as they continue to impress on an international level, even without the most convincing qualifying campaigns.
The Germans top Group D with one match remaining, and could be forced to go through the play off stages should they fail to win their last match – but when you look at the squad they possess, you have to ask yourself – Is the safe bet on Germany for Euro 2016?
The hosts, France, are the bookies second favourites at this stage. The French haven’t had to go through the qualifying campaign due to the hosts of the tournament being guaranteed a slot, but in their most recent friendlies they have won three out of three, but before that they had lost two on the bounce. Their odds of 7/2 wouldn’t make me want to be lumping on them.
Spain are the third favourites, but their performances in recent times have come under scrutiny. The Spaniards went through a period of ten years or so, dominating world football on a global stage, and although that period may be over, you can guarantee they will come back to their best at some point. Spain top Group C and barring a complete mess up in their last two games will definitely be at the Euros next year. Their odds of 6/1 are worth a serious look.
Belgium come in as fourth favourites at 10/1, with England only narrowly behind them at 11/1 according to the sports bookmaker Coral. Belgium, who are currently second in Group B, have all but qualified like the Spanish – and have two games left to get themselves to the top of the group, whilst England have already qualified after their 2-0 victory over Switzerland at Wembley last month, and are playing their last two matches in the hope they can become the only nation to secure a 100% win ratio in qualifying.
The Stade De France will host the opening match of the tournament, with the first match taking place on the 10th of June, and the last on the 11th July.
