Who are Euro 2020 favourites and why?

This year the UEFA European Football Championship (the Euros), will see 24 sides competing across 12 different host cities.

Online football betting sportsbooks have the top three favourites to win the tournament this year as France, England and Belgium. Let’s take a look at the three sides in some more detail.

England

There is quite an air of expectancy about England’s chances this year. Gareth Southgate’s squad has a depth of skill and experience that will make them difficult opponents for anyone to face.

They also have home advantage with their first three group games being held at Wembley. The famous stadium is also the location for the semi-finals and final.

Whether England can get to those latter stages will have much to do with the form of star player and captain Harry Kane.

Kane is currently enjoying another strong season in the premier league, with an unrivalled ratio of goals and assists.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker also has an enviable record with England, with 33 goals from 52 games. If Kane can stay fit and ready for action, it greatly enhances England’s chances.

The team has recovered well from a mixed set of results in last year’s UEFA nations league. The side won against Iceland and Wales and also recorded an impressive victory over Belgium.

England then suffered a loss to Denmark 1-0, who they had previously met in a goalless draw. Their involvement in the league effectively ended after they visited Belgium, who won 2-0.

After that disappointment, England regrouped to record a confidence-building home victory over Iceland in their last fixture of the competition.

England finished the group stage with 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses; not enough to qualify for the latter stages.

Since then, England are unbeaten, having recorded a big win over San Marino (5-0) and impressive victories over Albania and Poland at the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

The talismanic Kane scored from the spot against Poland and in free play against Albania. The England attack with Kane in it, joined by Raheem Stirling and the recently in-form Mason Mount, is sure to test any opponents.

Many will be hoping that Southgate finds room for the attacking midfielder Jack Grealish. Whether it is him or Marcus Rashford that will be picked remains to be seen.

But the fact that neither of them are definite starts points to how much talent the squad has at its disposal.

France

The World Champions France are always likely to be tipped to be there or thereabouts in any competition. The side has recorded a good run of recent form with an impressive showing at the UEFA nations league last year.

France finished top of their group and will go on to the Nations League Finals held after the Euros. The fact that their mini league included the formidable Portugal, Croatia and Sweden makes the qualification doubly impressive.

The French team includes a wealth of international experience and gallic flair. The core of the team has major championship-winning expertise in the shape of Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

The side will certainly need to be at their best to finish top of their Euro 2020 group, which also includes Germany.

A surprise element to the team might be provided by the 18-year-old Eduardo Camavinga.

Considered to be one of the world’s best young footballers, the defensive midfielder is an incredible prospect.

The Rennes player has attracted attention from some of the world’s richest clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid. Already a star at U21 level, it will be interesting to see if coach Didier Deschamps names him in the full squad.

Belgium

Belgium is the number one team in the world according to FIFA world rankings, and third favourites for the Euros, after France and England.

The side recorded a flawless qualification to the Euros, with a maximum of 30 points from 10 games. They scored 40 goals and only conceded three, sweeping away teams such as Russia and Scotland in the process.

Belgium has an attacking trio of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Luaku capable of terrorizing opposition defences. Much will depend on keeping team captain Hazard and top striker Luaku match fit. If they are on the team sheet Belgium are a team to be feared.

Their own defence is also very difficult to break down, and anyone looking to unpick it will need unparalleled finesse. The dependable strength of key defenders Toby Alderweireld, Jason Denayer and Jan Vertonghen make Belgium robust at the back. 

Belgium have only lost three matches in the past three years. Two of those were to France and England (the other being Switzerland). They are sure to be on their guard to prevent any chance of that happening again.

Whatever happens during the Euros, it is a reasonable assessment to presume that one, two or all of these teams will be there at the end.

If a winner comes from a team other than England, Belgium or France it will be a surprise to both fans and bookmakers.