UEFA Euro 2021 Top Teams Guide Preview & Analysis: While 24 nations are heading into the big kick-off at this summer’s European Championship, in this preview we are focusing only some of the Euro 2021 favourites.
In this Euro 2021 guide, we are going to analyse the chances of stronger nations entering the tournament.
But there is also the chance that UEFA Euro 2021 will throw up some interesting surprises.
We will also be taking a look at some potential dark horses that could put together an impressive run.
UEFA Euro 2021 winner odds
France 5/1
England 9/2
Belgium 13/2
Germany 15/2
Spain 7/1
Italy 8/1
Portugal 9/1
Netherlands 12/1
Denmark 25/1
Croatia 33/1
50/1 bar
* (odds recorded a 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power)
France UEFA Euro 2021 Preview
Who are the favourites to win the Euro 2021? That’s France currently, just about.
Can the reigning World Champions France also snap up the European crown?
They are currently at 5/2 in the Euro 2021 outrights* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
From the start of their World Cup 2014 campaign, France have claimed a win in 14 of 19 fixtures at major tournaments.
That’s more than any other team has managed in the same period.
If they could collect the European Championship title, they would become the fourth team to win back to back World Cup and European Championships (including vice-versa).
France carries a big threat with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Euro 2016 Top Goalscorer Antoine Griezmann.
No European player has been directly involved in more goals in the last two major tournaments than Griezmann. The striker has produced 10 goals and 4 assists in 14 fixtures.
We have to think that France, who are 13/5 to reach the semi-finals, will be knocking on the door* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
France Euro 2021 Qualification: W8 D1 L1 GF: 25 GA: 6
Interesting France Stat: France are undefeated in their last 8 opening fixtures at the European Championships (W5 D3)
Key Facts – Euro 2021 Groups (hosts in bold)
- A – Italy, Turkey, WALES, Switzerland
- B – Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Russia
- C – Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, North Macedonia
- D – ENGLAND, Croatia, SCOTLAND, Czech Republic
- E – Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia
- F – Hungary, Portugal, France, Germany
England Euro 2021 Preview
At Euro 2016 there were high hopes for England, but those quickly fell flat. The Three Lions were eliminated in Round of 16 by Iceland.
This is the only fixture that England have lost (not counting penalty shootouts) in their last 11 European Championship fixtures (W5 D5).
But England are 9/2 in the Euro 2021 outrights, so have been backed strongly to make a run at their first-ever European Championship title.
Boss Gareth Southgate has injected a lot of talented youth into the set-up.
With Harry Kane the leading protagonist in the Euro 2021 Golden Boot market at 9/2 surely England have a big chance* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
The form of Harry Kane probably can’t be overstated.
Without him, England may struggle up front. Kane was the top scorer at the 2018 World Cup, a big step forward from going goalless at Euro 2016.
Can their captain deliver both the Golden Boot and the European Championship title this summer?
England Euro 2021 Qualification: W7 D0 L1 GF: 37 GA: 6
Interesting England Stat: England have never won an opening fixture at the European Championship (D5 L4)
Belgium Euro 2021 Preview
The Red Devils are the top-ranked team in the World and they head to the European Championships as a big player.
After a semi-final berth at the 2018 World Cup, big things will be expected of Belgium. In the Euro 2021 winner market, Belgium had been the favourites at one point.
But an injury to star midfielder man Kevin De Bruyne in the UEFA Champions League Final saw them drift a little bit.
Belgium are now a current 13/2 option in the Euro 2021 outrights* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
The Red Devils have made the quarter-finals at least in each of their last three major tournaments.
They are a strong 6/5 quote to reach the semi-finals in Euro 2021 betting* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
They are the major goal-scoring threat of Romelu Lukaku who is the nation’s leading goal scorer at major tournaments with 7 goals in 15 such fixtures.
Belgium claimed a perfect record in qualification, averaging four goals per game.
Belgium Qualification: W10 D0 L0 GF: 40 GA: 3
Interesting Belgium Fact: Belgium have not made the final four at the Euros since losing the 1980 final against West Germany.
Germany Euro 2021 Preview
Germany have made more appearances in the European Championships than any other nations had done. This will be their 13th such appearance.
In their opener at Euro 2021, Germany will become the first team to reach 50 European Championship matches.
Germany are a quote of 15/2 to win Euro 2021* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
They are the joint-most successful nation in the history of the European Championships, having won it three times, the same tally as Spain.
Die Mannschaft don’t appear to be quite as strong this time around, but they are a team that can never be counted out.
Their record at major tournaments speaks for itself. Current boss Joachim Low has taken Germany to the semi-finals in five of his six major tournaments.
They need a big response do Germany, having shockingly been eliminated in the group stage at the 2018 World Cup.
Germany Qualification: W7 D0 L1 GF: 30 GA: 7
Interesting Germany Fact: Germany have never lost an opening match at the European Championships (W7 D5) and have won their last three such fixtures.
To Reach Final Euro 2021 betting odds
France 13/5
England 5/2
Belgium 16/5
Germany 10/3
Spain 7/2
Portugal 9/2
Italy 7/2
Netherlands 9/1
10/1 bar
* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
Spain Euro 2021 Preview
This is the 11th European Championship finals for Spain, winning three of their previous ten. They were the dominant force in winning back to back titles in 2008 and 2012.
They are nowhere near that kind of level at the moment.
But they are a team, much like Germany, while not being as strong as the likes of front runners France and England, can’t be counted out.
The Spaniards have lost only two of their last 16 European Championship fixtures, winning eleven of those.
At the end of their failed 2016 campaign, Spain lost back to back matches against Croatia Italy.
There is a current quote of 7/1 on Spain to win outright in Euro 2021 betting* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
They look to be in decent shape at the back, but it’s questionable as to whether or not they have the firepower up front to go all the way.
While the likes of England have Harry Kane, France having Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Greizmann and Belgium having Romelu Lukaku, it’s hard to see Spain producing a Golden Boot candidate.
Spain Qualification: W8 D2 L0 GF: 31 GA: 5
Interesting Spain Fact: Each of the last 37 goals that Spain have scored in the Euros have all been from inside the box.
Italy Euro 2021 Preview
Italy are arriving at Euro 2021 in some fantastic form. They are running red-hot as they look to take part in their 10th European Championship finals.
It’s been one title that they have claimed at the tournament from having reached the Final three times.
The Azzurri appear to have a deep squad, using more players during qualification than any other team. They won all ten qualifiers.
Of the big nations who are trading in double figures in the tournament tonight, Italy look as if they could be the pick of the bunch.
They are currently 10/1 to land the title* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
They have grown into a very confident side and averaged 3.7 goals per game during qualification. Head coach Roberto Mancini has then watertight at the back as well.
They may be capable of an upset or two along the way and are 7/5 to reach the semi’s in Euro 2021 betting* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
Italy Qualification: W10 D0 L0 GF: 36 GA
Interesting Italy Fact: Italy have never scored more than 2 goals in a European Championship fixture.
To Reach Quarter-Finals Euro 2021 odds
Spain 4/11
Belgium 8/15
France 8/13
Italy 4/9
Netherlands 4/6
England 4/9
Germany 4/6
Portugal evens
Denmark 11/10
Croatia 6/4
Ukraine 5/2
Poland 2/1
Sweden 23/10
Switzerland 13/5
Turkey 13/5
11/5 bar
* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
Netherlands Euro 2021 Preview
Can the Netherlands make a splash and secure their second European Championship title after their 1988 success?
Starting with the 1988 tournament, Germany (6) are the only team to have reached the semi-finals of the Euros more times than the Netherlands (4).
They may have a lot on their hands to really wrap up the title this summer.
They are a quote of 9/5 to make another semi-final appearance in Euro 2021 betting* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
There are some talented youngsters in their squad like Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt and forward Memphis Depay is going well.
During qualification, Depay had a hand in a goal every 38 minutes, more than any other player who was directly involved in at least five goals during qualification.
This is going to be quite the occasion for the Netherlands after having missed the last edition.
Netherlands Qualification: W6 F1 L1 GF: 24 GA: 7
Interesting Netherlands fact: In their last 22 fixtures at major tournaments, the Netherlands have drawn only two (both goalless matches that went to penalties).
Euro 2021 Top Goalscorer Odds
Harry Kane 9/2
Romelu Lukaku 6/1
Kylian Mbappe 8/1
Cristiano Ronaldo 9/1
Karim Benzema 16/1
Memphis Depay 16/1
Ciro Immobile 16/1
Serge Gnabry 16/1
Antoine Griezmann 20/1
Alvaro Morata 20/1
Timo Werner 20/1
Robert Lewandowski 25/1
33/1 bar
* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
Portugal Euro 2021 Preview
The defending champions of the European Championship title are Portugal who are a quote of 9/1 to make it back to back titles* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
Spain are the only team to have pulled off that accomplishment before. Their big talisman is, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.
This will be the fifth European Championships for the great one, having netted in all four previous tournaments.
He needs one more goal to be the all-time leading goalscorer at the European Championships. The longevity of the man is remarkable.
He’s missed only two of Portugal’s last 40 games at major international tournaments. They have a tough group to get through this time.
It would be some accomplishment if they manage to win the Henri Delaunay trophy for the second time.
Portugal Qualification: W5 D2 L1 GF: 22 GA: 6
Interesting Portugal Fact: Portugal are undefeated in their last 11 European Championship Games (not counting penalty shootouts). That’s the second-best ever such run behind Spain’s 14 undefeated run from 2008 to 2016.
To Reach Semi-Final Euro 2021 Odds
Belgium 7/5
France 6/4
Spain 13/8
England 7/4
Netherlands 9/5
Germany 13/8
Italy 7/5
Portugal 11/5
Croatia 9/2
Denmark 10/3
15/2 bar
* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
Who could be the surprise package of Euro 2021?
Next for some UEFA Euro 2021 predictions, we are going to take a look at a couple of nations that could pull off some surprises.
Denmark are in fantastic form at the moment and are taking part in their 9th UEFA European Championship.
They are former champions, winning the 1992 title. They are a really tight-knit bunch and only used 19 different players during qualification.
The Danes look stronger than have been for a while and appear to be a very difficult side to beat. That gives them a decent chance of causing a surprise or two at the European Championships.
Denmark To Reach Quarter-Finals in UEFA Euro 2021 is a quote of 5/4* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
Wales are another of the intriguing ones taking part in Euro 2021. They produced a stunning run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, defying odds time and time again before they were stopped by Belgium.
That was the first time that a European championship debutant had made it to the semi-finals since Sweden did it in 1992.
They will be leaning heavily on Gareth Bale of course, but Wales are a strong, organised side and have received a draw that could give them a chance of playing in the knockout stages.
Wales are 4/5 To Qualify from Group A where they face Italy, Switzerland and Turkey* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
Who will win UEFA Euro 2021? Predictions
We will round off this Euro 2021 preview with a look at who we think will win Euro 2021.
To do that, we are going to start eliminating some teams. There is the fascinating Group F of course which has Portugal, France and Germany there alongside Hungary.
Will all three do enough to get through? Of those, it would have to be France favoured to get an automatic qualification spot.
Portugal and Germany don’t look as well-rounded, nor as big of a goalscoring threat as the French.
We don’t see any of the other main front runners struggling to get through with England, Spain, Italy and Belgium all likely to win their groups.
Looking ahead we think Spain will come up short at some point in the goalscoring department, as well as Germany and Portugal.
That narrows our field to England, Italy, Belgium and France.
The odds on those reaching the semi-finals in UEFA Euro 2021 betting respectively are 7/4, 7/5, 7/5 and 6/4* (odds recorded at 22:12 GMT on June 5th, 2021 at Paddy Power).
From there it is anyone’s game. But we are just leaning towards France.
Of the front runners, we see the French as having the best squad in terms of depth. They have a big game-changer in Kylian Mbappe as well.
France have proven tournament form with their World Cup 2018 title and may not be far away from adding the European Championships to their trophy cabinet.
