UEFA Euro 2021 Group D Preview
Three Lions to go through as group winners?
Bookmaker Paddy Power
Odds: 1/3 odds taken 1041 GMT, Tuesday 11 May
With the delayed UEFA Euro 2020/21 tournament just around the corner, we take a look at the groups and the participating nations’ chances of reaching the knockout stages.
In our in-depth betting preview, read on for the top Euro Group D betting odds and tips as England, Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic battle it out for the top two spots. Here are our latest Euro 2021 group tips and predictions.
Table of Contents
- 1 Latest Group D Odds – Can anyone stop Southgate’s in-form Lions?
- 2 Euro 2021 England Prediction: Will the favourites ease into the last 16?
- 3 Croatia Preview: Can the Croatians build on their World Cup success?
- 4 Scotland Preview: Can the Scots cause a shock on their Euro return?
- 5 Czech Republic Preview: Will the Czechs upset the big two?
- 6 Players to watch out for in Euro 2021 Group D: Will Mount shine on the big stage?
- 7 Our Group D Euro Predictions: England to win the group, Croatia to finish runners-up
Latest Group D Odds – Can anyone stop Southgate’s in-form Lions?
England were the favourites to win Group D when the draw as announced, and nothing has changed over a year on. There are some capable nations in Euro 2021 Group D, but the Three Lions will be hoping to top the lot. Paddy Power have England priced at just 1/3 to go through as group winners.
Croatia, who beat England in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final, will be looking for a strong tournament under the experienced Zlatko Dalic. Naturally, the Blazers are fancied to join England in the knockouts. The Croatians are the 6/4 favourites to finish runners-up and are priced at 7/2 to pip the rest to top spot.
Scotland and Czech Republic are set to battle it out for third place in Group D, which could be enough to take one of the nations through as a best ranked third-place team. The Scots, who qualified through the play-off route, will be making their first European Championship appearance since UEFA Euro ’96 in England. Steve Clarke’s men are 11/1 underdogs to win the group.
Jaroslav Silhavy’s Czech Republic could be dark horses in Group D. On their day, the unpredictable Czechs can beat anyone, and they will be looking for all three points at Hampden Park in their opening game. Paddy Power have Silhavy’s side at 9/1 to win the group and 5/6 to reach the knockout stages.
Euro 2021: Group D Team Key Facts
- England are the current favourites to win Euro 2021
- Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final, losing out to France
- This will be Scotland’s first Euro appearance since 1996
- Czech Republic were UEFA Euro 2004 semi-finalists
Euro 2021 England Prediction: Will the favourites ease into the last 16?
As is usually the case before a major tournament, England head in as one of the favourites. In fact, before a ball has been kicked in the summer’s showpiece event, the Three Lions are the bookies’ favourites to go all the way. If England do lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium on 11th July, it would be the nation’s first tournament success since the 1966 FIFA World Cup, which also took place on home soil.
Gareth Southgate has an exceptional squad of players to choose from, with the perfect blend of youth and talent. All eyes will be on the Three Lions boss when he announces his 26-man squad ahead of the tournament’s opening fixture.
As you would expect, England are the favourites to win the group. They could be in for a special summer as they look to go all the way, but their full focus will be on getting out of Group D. The English are certainly the team to beat.
Croatia Preview: Can the Croatians build on their World Cup success?
Croatia caused a big upset when they reached the 2018 World Cup final. Dalic’s troops were tipped to do well in Russia, but not many people had them down to make it to the last two. Before losing 4-2 to France in the Moscow final, Croatia beat England in the semi-finals, with Mario Mandzukic netting an extra-time winner in the Luzhniki Stadium.
Croatia and England have unfinished business, and we fully expect these two talented nations to battle it out for the top two places in Group D. The pair lock horns in a mouth-watering matchup at Wembley on 13th June – who can get off to a flying start?
Scotland Preview: Can the Scots cause a shock on their Euro return?
The long-suffering Scotland fans have waited for years and years to finally see their beloved country in a major tournament. As we touched on, this will be the Scots’ first Euro appearance since 1996 and their first finals appearance since the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
Scotland booked their place in Group D after winning the Path C play-offs. Clarke’s men beat both Israel and Serbia on penalties to go through. It will be an enormous occasion for the Tartan Army when they see their nation run out at Hampden in their opening fixture. A few days later, Scotland face old rivals England at Wembley in one of the standout group fixtures of the tournament.
Czech Republic Preview: Will the Czechs upset the big two?
Make no mistake, England and Croatia are the top two teams in Group D, even though Czech Republic might not see it that way. To be fair to the Czechs, they have an excellent record in this competition since the Czechoslovakia breakaway, reaching the last four in 2004 and finishing runners-up on English soil back in ’96.
They have had their troubles in recent years, but they have featured in each of the last six European Championships since becoming a sole nation. Czech Republic finished second in qualifying Group A, beating England in Prague along the way. They could be a team to watch out for in this pan-European tournament.
Players to watch out for in Euro 2021 Group D: Will Mount shine on the big stage?
Although the Euro 2021 squads have yet to be finalised, we have a pretty good idea of who will be lining up for their respective nations come June. Southgate no doubt has one or two big decisions still to make, but Mason Mount must be one of the first players on his list.
The Chelsea youngster has been in exceptional form for club and country this season, playing a key role in his side reaching the Emirates FA Cup and UEFA Champions League finals. Chelsea also look a good bet to finish in the top four of the Premier League.
Phil Foden is another bright, young spark for the England national team. The Manchester City ace in enjoying a stunning season at the Etihad Stadium, which could end with three trophies.
As for the others, the calm head of Luka Modric could be vital to Croatia’s hopes. The Real Madrid man – who won the Golden Ball (best player) award at the 2018 World Cup – seems to get better and better with age. As for the Scots, Liverpool’s Andy Robertson is their main man. The Scotland skipper must have a good tournament if his nation are to go far.
Our Group D Euro Predictions: England to win the group, Croatia to finish runners-up
On paper, this is one of the most exciting groups in the eagerly-anticipated 2021 European Championship. We have two of the four 2018 World Cup semi-finalists, the rivalry between England and Scotland, and the Czechs who usually do well in the Euros.
England have been in great form, pretty much since Southgate took over. Before the international friendlies ahead of the Euros, the English have won each of their last four, scoring 13 goals to boot.
The first match of the group between England and Croatia at Wembley could be the most pivotal one. The winners of that could go on to win the group. We are backing the Three Lions to edge out the Blazers in the race for top spot. Take a punt on Paddy Power’s 1/3 for England to win the group, and 6/4 for Croatia to finish runners-up.
In the battle for third place, put some money on Scotland to pip Czech Republic to the post at 9/5. The Scots will enjoy the occasion but reaching the Round of 16 will be the priority.
