The Euro 2024 favourites have been named – is football finally coming home?
Here at FourFourTwo, we're gearing up for the tournament in Germany, with the countdown to another European Championship well underway. Euro 2024 is already delivering on its promise, with the group stage lit up by fantastic goals across all fixtures, while the round of 16 threw up some cracking games, too. Let the drama continue!
Looking at all the squads and performances, here are the odds to lift the trophy, according to Bet365. Odds correct as of the afternoon of Wednesday, 3 July.
VIDEO: Why England Were Better Than They Looked Against Slovakia
Euro 2024 favourites to win odds
1. England
1. England (7/2)
Believe it or not, but after the group stages and near-disastrous last-16 encounter with Slovakia, England still remain the bookmakers' favourites to win Euro 2024 - though that's largely down to the likelihood they'll reach the final ahead of other sides at the tournament.
With France, Spain, Portugal and Germany all stuck on one side of the knockouts draw, England have a (fairly) straightforward run to the final in Berlin, all things considered - though that nearly came to haunt them against Slovakia. Switzerland are their next opponents in the quarter-finals, and while they have performed well so far this tournament, the Three Lions would certainly still fancy their chances of progressing to the final four. There, either the Netherland or Turkey would be their opponents - so despite a poor showing so far, Gareth Southgate and his men would have every right to be confident of playing at the Olympiastadion on July 14 in the final.
In FourFourTwo's opinion, though, these odds are extremely short for a side that haven't shown any real quality this tournament. Until they do, we're not convinced this is a good return on investment.
2. Spain
2. Spain (4/1)
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain sit among an exclusive group of one at Euro 2024, as the only team not to concede a goal and the only side to finish the group stages with a perfect record of nine points. That's while having to play Croatia, Italy and Albania, too, highlighting just why they're so heavily fancied.
Indeed, Spain are the only side at the tournament to have properly convinced, with their dominant 4-1 display in the last 16 against Georgia truly highlighting their quality. Sure, they aren't a side blessed with natural world beaters - Rodri aside - but they have a great fluidity in attack and balance when defending. Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal have all stood out so far, while Marc Cucurella is yet to put a foot wrong in defence.
This is a good shout to bet on in FourFourtwo's view – if you can really trust Robin Le Normand and Aymeric Laporte as a tournament-winning centre-back pairing. Odds are good, form is great and they will go far. All the way? You never know...
=3. Germany
=3. Germany 9/2
With Germany serving as the host nation – and the mere fact that they’re Germany – it isn’t easy to label Julian Nagelsmann’s side as a surprise package, but they probably look a bit stronger than many of the pre-tournament pundits gave them credit for.
Helped along the way by the complete capitulation of Scotland in their 5-1 win in the Euro 2024 opener, thanks in part to a Ryan Porteous first-half red card, Die Mannschaft currently sit as the tournament’s top scorers on seven. Having professionally brushed aside Hungary in their second match, it looked smooth sailing for Die Mannschaft - that is, until Switzerland nearly burst their bubble and threatened to finish top of the group. Germany required Niclas Fullkrug to save the day in the closing stages of their match to stop that possibility becoming a reality, though it highlighted a slightly fragile core to Nagelsmann's team.
The last 16 didn't exactly go to plan, either - Denmark were just centimetres from taking the lead early in the second half, while Nagelsmann's men then had to rely on a contentious handball decision to score from the penalty spot. While a 2-0 victory seems convincing, it was hardly anything but.
And, with Spain in the quarters, betting on them seems a risk, especially when their price was so much better just before the tournament kicked off. But, if you so have a time machine, go back a few weeks and do it when the odds were longer (better yet, go back to May 2004 and bet on Greece).
=3. France
=3. France (9/2)
Les Bleus entered Euro 2024 as most people’s favourite to lift the trophy on July 14, but things haven't been smooth sailing for Didier Deschamps and his men since arriving in Germany. Kylian Mbappe is having to play with a mask to protect a broken nose he picked up in their relatively tepid opener against Austria, while draws against the Netherlands and Poland weren't enough for Les Bleus to top Group D - instead, Austria did, earning themselves an easier side of the knockout stages on paper in the process.
A 1-0 victory over an unconvincing Belgium side wasn't exactly ideal, either. Les Bleus are yet to score a goal of their own from open play, with Mbappe's penalty against Poland and two own goals the only time Deschamps' side has netted at Euro 2024.
In FourFourTwo's opinion, the French aren't worth betting on now, either. Portugal are their quarter-final opponents, while either Spain or Germany await in the semis. Though Ronaldo and Co. have stuttered, too, these odds just don't represent good value for a side flattering to deceive so far. They do have Mbappe, though, who certainly has the ability to inspire his nation to glory, so write them off at your peril.
5. Netherlands
5. Netherlands (7/1)
For the first time since betting started on Euro 2024, the Netherlands have been ranked among the top five by the bookies. Portugal had previously occupied this spot, but due to their struggles against Georgia in the group stages and lucky escape past Slovenia in the last 16, Ronaldo has been demoted - potenitally not for the first time this tournament.
The Netherlands, though, have impressed in fits and starts. A 2-1 victory over Poland was followed up by a near-win against France in the group stages, before they played out a pulsating 3-2 defeat with Austria at the Olympiastadion. And there's every chance Ronald Koeman's side will get back there, especially if they manage to produce a similar level of performance they managed in their 3-0 rout of Romania.
With Turkey their quarter-final opponents and either England or Switzerland in the semis, it's no wonder why the Oranje are being tipped for a strong tournament - though betting on them seems a risk. At these odds, perhaps it's a risk worth taking.
The Rest
More Euro 2024 stories
This is how to watch Euro 2024 live streams from anywhere in the world, while we have a guide on how to get Euro 2024 tickets if you're still looking to go to the tournament. We have the run-down on Euro 2024 stadiums, with info on host cities, capacities, and everything you need to know.
