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England Now Top Betting Favorite at Euro 2020 After Group Stage Draw

John Dillon

by John Dillon in Soccer News

Updated Mar 30, 2021 · 9:42 AM PDT

World Cup Qualifying
England's players celebrate the second goal of their team during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Albania and England at Air Albania stadium in Tirana, Sunday, March 28, 2021. England won 2-0. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)
  • Three Lions have three Group D games at Wembley
  • Semifinals and final also to be  staged in London
  • Belgium and France pose major threat to home side’s hopes

England are stacking up advantages as they seek to end their long wait for success in international football at Euro 2020 next summer.

As well as playing their opening three group games at Wembley in London, they have also been handed a favorable draw against Croatia and the Czech Republic – with a further opponent yet to emerge from the playoffs next March.

Euro 2020 Winners Odds

Team Odds
England +400
Belgium +500
France +550
Netherlands +650
Spain +800
Germany +900
Italy +1000
Portugal +1000
Croatia +2500
Ukraine +5000

Odds taken Dec. 3. 

If they progress after playing abroad in the last 16 and quarterfinals, the semifinals and final will also be played at the Three Lions  HQ of  Wembley.

It means they have been newly installed as favorites to win the competition after a slight shift of the odds and a slender movement outwards for former number one pick France.

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England’s average odds to win the tournament have moved inwards from +450 to +417. France moved outwards from an average of +377 to +510.

England are favorites to win at +400 with Belgium priced second at +500.

Belgians Hit 40 Goals in Qualifying

The Belgians remarkable qualifying record of 10 wins, 40 goals scored and only three against makes their star-studded line-up a better value offer than England, who may be weighed down by history and expectation at home.

France’s recent experience as tournament winners at the World Cup also makes them more inviting.

France’s Euro 2020 odds are at +550, while Netherlands sit at +650, Spain at +800, Germany at +900 and Italy and Portugal at +1000.

England have won only one major trophy in their history; the 1966 World Cup in their homeland, when they played all six matches at Wembley.

The down-grading of France reflects the fact that the World Cup holders have been drawn in the toughest section – Group F – along with Germany and European Championship holders Portugal.

England have won only one major trophy in their history; the 1966 World Cup in their homeland, when they played all six matches at Wembley, defeating West Germany 4-2 in the final

But after many years made up largely of under-achievement, hopes are high that they can end their trophy drought after reaching the World Cup semifinals in Russia last year.

They also reached the semifinals of the inaugural Nations League competition in Europe this summer.

Beaten by Croatia in World Cup Semifinals

They were beaten in the last four in Russia by Euro 2020 group opponents Croatia.

But they subsequently held the impressive Croatians 0-0 away from home in the Nations League group stage and defeated them 2-1 at Wembley in November last year.

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The English hammered the Czech Republic 5-0 at Wembley in March but suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat in the return in Prague in October.

Under manager Gareth Southgate, they are regarded as having one of the most young, vibrant attacking sides in Europe, with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling a particular goal threat.

However, if England  win Group D as expected next summer, it means a last 16 meeting in Dublin with the runners-up of Group F.

In their most recent three fixtures, they defeated Bulgaria 6-0 away from home, Montenegro 7-0 at Wembley and Kosovo 4-0 away – all in Euro 2020 qualifying.

However, if England wins Group D as expected next summer, it means a last 16 meeting in Dublin with the runners-up of Group F.

Germany and Portugal have been particular hoodoo teams for England while the French side is one of the best on paper in Europe featuring stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba.

They won Euro 2020 qualifying Group H by two points ahead of Turkey while scoring 25 times and conceding just six goals – with eight wins, one draw and one surprise defeat by the Turks.

Repeat of Euro 2000 is French Target

The French are hoping to repeat the feat of their fabled side of two decades ago who followed their triumph in the 1998 World Cup with victory in the 2000 European Championships.

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Second-favorites Belgium boast a line up as replete with major individuals as the French, with Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku all hoping to land their nation’s first major international prize.

They are drawn in Group B along with Denmark, Russia and Finland.

Pick: France +550

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