|
As Euro 2024 approaches, excitement and speculation are reaching fever pitch among England fans. With a talented squad and a renewed sense of optimism following their impressive run in the previous tournament, expectations are high for Gareth Southgate’s men in England to win Euro 2024 odds.
This article delves into England's potential path to the final, analysing the key fixtures, possible opponents, and the challenges that lie ahead.
From navigating the group stage to overcoming formidable foes in the knockout rounds, we explore the potential journey England must undertake to realise their dream of lifting the Euro 2024 trophy.
Group stage
The group stage is the only phase of the competition where we don’t need to use speculation, as we know England will face Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.
The Three Lions’ opening game will see them take on Serbia at the Veltins-Arena on June 16, and Southgate’s side should kick off proceedings with a win.
Up next is Denmark in Frankfurt. This is arguably England’s toughest group game on paper, but another three points should be secured, as they are 4/6 to beat the Danes.
The final match against Slovenia is another game England will be expected to win, so it’s certainly not outlandish to claim that the Three Lions could end the group with all nine points.
Round of 16
This is where the guesswork comes in. With England likely to top their group, they will face the best third-placed side from groups D, E or F.
Looking at those groups, Austria are well-placed to progress to the knockouts in third. They face Poland, France and the Netherlands in Group D, but should have enough quality to pick up crucial points.
The Three Lions have won their last three games against Austria, the most recent being a 1-0 victory in an international friendly in 2021, and they should beat them again here.
Quarter-finals
The runners-up of groups A and B will clash in the Round of 16, with the winner going on to face England in the quarter-finals.
The bookmakers are predicting Switzerland will finish second to Germany in Group A, while Italy appear likely to finish runner-up to Spain in Group B.
The Azzurri should be able to see off Switzerland in the first knockout round, leaving a repeat of the Euro 2020 final in the quarters.
England avenged their crushing defeat at Wembley with home and away victories over Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying, and they should get the better of them in Germany should they clash.
Semi-finals
This is where it could get especially difficult for England, as they will likely need to get passed France should they make it to the semi-finals.
As the probable winners of Group D, France will have a very winnable game against the runner-up of Group F, which could be Georgia, Turkey or the Czech Republic, before facing the winner of Group E in the semi-finals, which will likely be Belgium, another game Les Bleus should win.
A last-four clash between England and France could go either way, and it’s worth noting that Didier Deschamps’ side knocked the Three Lions out of the 2022 World Cup in the quarter-finals.
But for the purpose of this, let’s suppose England reverse that form and book their place in the final of Euro 2024.
Final
The other side of the draw is just as hard to predict, with Germany, Spain and Portugal the standout sides.
Germany and Spain will likely clash in the quarter-finals, with the winner of that match potentially facing Portugal in the semi-finals.
The home crowd and Germany’s recent form, which includes wins over France and the Netherlands, could see them go all the way to the final.
This would be another tense affair, but the England odds would likely be in the Three Lions’ favour.
