Can anyone stop Spain’s EURO dominance?
It’s just around the corner.
Euro 2016 has been one of the most anticipated tournaments in England in recent times as swarms of England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales fans hop over the channel to France to watch their teams.
For Wales, this will be their first major tournament in over half a century, whereas for Northern Ireland it’s their first experience of the Euros.whilst for Ireland, they’ll be desperate to improve on their record from 2012 that saw them lose all three games with one of the worst Euro records of all time.
For Ireland, they’ll be desperate to improve on their record from 2012 that saw them lose all three games with one of the worst Euro records of all time.
Despite Spain’s hold on European football losing its’ grip over the past four years, which saw them dumped out of the World Cup in 2014 at the group stages, they’ll be gunning for their third European Championship victory in a row after coming out on top in 2008 and 2012.
Spain are 5/1 to retain their title and make it a hat-trick of wins and with ten of their 23-man squad retained from four years ago, could be well worth a bet.
France have retained eight of their squad that went out at the quarter-final stage in 2012 and are 16/5 favourites on home soil this time around.
World Champions Germany are 9/2 second-favourites but may well be worth avoiding with no Gundogan or Reus, but have an incredible 941 caps between their 23-man squad.
In contrast, England have over 400 caps less in their camp as well as having the youngest average age in the whole tournament, but with a vibrant young squad including the youth of Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Marcus Rashford, Roy Hodgson has hired the wise heads of Gary Cahill, James Milner and Wayne Rooney to guide them through.
England find themselves 9/1 to lift their second major tournament trophy and first in 50 years.
England are shorter odds than the likes of Belgium, who with their fire-power of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and co, are a fantastic bet at 11/1.
Slightly further outsiders are Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to avenge their 2004 final defeat at 18/1, as are 2006 World Cup champions Italy.
The rest of the home nations can be found at 100/1 for Wales, 150/1 for Ireland and 400/1 for Northern Ireland, not forgetting that Greece were 150/1 to win Euro 2004, we all know how that turned out.
Some more outsiders can be found with Croatia at 25/1, Poland at 50/1 and Russia at 80/1, worth a pound, surely?
ReadBetting’s tip: Belgium- 11/1.