The UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off in Germany this weekend, as the host nation takes on Scotland in Munich.
2020 runners up, England ($4.33) start the competition as slight favourites over France ($4.50), while Germany ($5.50) round out the bookies top three.
Current champions Italy represent great value at $16, in a field of serious contenders that runs about 10 nations deep.
Our Offside Oracle has slid into the Euro 2024 futures markets with both feet, sharing his favourite bets below.
The Three Lions haven’t won an international trophy since 1966, and despite starting the tournament as favourites, I can not see that changing here.
England are in a transitional period, with a host of young players breaking through two the starting 11, while several injuries heading into the tournament has undoubtably left their back four weakened.
My Tips: France $4.50, Portugal $8, Belgium $17.
France are the pick of the bunch for me.
Les Bleus are currently the 2nd ranked team in the World behind Argentina, they were runners up in the 2022 World Cup, Champions of the 2018 World Cup and Runners up in the 2016 Euro.
Mpabbe is arguably the best player in the World at the moment and will be joining three of his French teammates at the best side in the world next season, Real Madrid.
France have been dealt a favourable draw for the Group stage, facing Poland, Austria and Netherlands.
Les Blues have a deep enough squad to field two starting XI, with the ability to win it all in Germany.
Depth in talent, experience, team chemistry and prior success has me taking France to lift the Euro 2024 trophy.
Portugal $8
Portugal dominated the 2024 Euro qualifying, finishing top of Group J with 10 wins from 10 games, conceding just twice across the trip, earning a goal difference of +34!
Their side has looked competent at both ends of the field under new manager, Martinez, while Ronaldo still getting the job done at the top of the park.
Portugal are easily the best side in Group F, with Czech Republic, Turkey, and Georgia all sitting outside the top 35 FIFA rankings.
Belgium $17
Like Portugal, Belgium has been handed an extremely favourable path out of the pool stage, with Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine making up the rest of Group E.
The Red Devils are 3rd in the FIFA World Rankings, and haven’t lost a match since November 2022 (10W,5D)!
Romalu Lukaku topped the goalscoring (14) during qualifying and will be relishing linking up with creative superstar Kevin De Bruyne.
Like England, Belgium are perennial underachievers at big tournaments, but with a team stacked full of talent and sitting at $17, they’re worth a stab.
Kylian Mbappe is a $5 favourite to take out the Euro 2024 Golden Boot. The Frenchman claimed the Golden Boot in the 2022 FIFA Wold Cup, scoring a hat-trick in a losing effort in the Final against Argentina. The concern for Mbappe is that he plays alongside 2-3 other world class goalscorers, and could find himself sharing the glory.
Harry Kane scored the most domestic goals across all European national leagues this season, with 36 for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, and is the bookies 2nd favourite @ $5.50. Kane was the Golden Boot winner in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but hasn’t featured in the top three scorers in his three trips to the Euros.
MY TIPS: Lukaku $11, Ronaldo $11
Lukaku was the leading goals scorer across the 2024 Euro qualifiers, scoring 14 times in 8 games, helping Belgium to Group F above Austria and Sweden. As mentioned above, the Red Devils are in a weak Group E, giving Romelu a chance to rack up enough goals to take out top scorer before reaching the knockout phase.
Ronaldo is the reigning Euro Golden Boot winner and has scored the most goals across all comps in the 2023/24 season, hitting the back of the net 50 times, 6 more than both Mbappe and Kane (44), the caveat being most of those goals were scored in the Saudi League. Despite this, CR7 was the 2nd leading goal scorer across Euro qualifiers, scoring 10 times in 9 games. Like Belgium, Portugal has favourable fixtures in the group stage, with Ronaldo looking to fill his boots against the likes of Turkey, Czech and Georgia. I like Portugal to go deep in this tournament, which means goals for the greatest scorer of all-time.
MY TIPS: Mbappe $8, Ronaldo $17, De Bruyne $21
All three players I have tipped are the captain of their respective nations.
The case for Mbappe is simple, the Frenchman is a big game player, he proved that at the last World Cup. Le Blues are my pick to win the tournament, and if they do so, Mbappe will be the centre of all the action.
I believe this Portuguese side lead by Ronaldo have a real chance of going deep in this tournament. Portugal won the 2016 Euro, if Cristiano was to lead his side to another trophy at the ripe old age of 39 he’d be a shoe-in for player of the tournament.
A similar case can be made fore KDB. Long been touted as the best player in the Premier League and the most creative CM in the World, Kevin De Bruyne is long over due for recognition in the form of individual silverware. If Belgium are to progress as far as I believe they can/will, KDB’s DNA will be all over their success. Great value at $21.
Honourable mention to Bruno Fernandes @$26, who has been both a reliable scorer and creator for Portugal.