Euro 2024 is on the horizon, featuring 24 teams vying for the Henri Delaunay Trophy in Germany this summer.
Only Greece and Russia, among the ten former European champions, will miss the upcoming tournament.
Luciano Spalletti’s Italy will be looking to repeat Spain’s success in 2008 and 2012 and become only the second nation to defend the crown.
However, they’ll have to overcome Euro 2020 beaten finalists England, among others, to defy Euro 2024 betting odds and climb to the podium.
If the tournament’s recent history is any reference point, the Italians will probably go home empty-handed, as could host country Germany.
Germany Out to Beat Tradition
Not since 1984 has a host country won the Euros, with France the last side to achieve this feat during Michel Platini’s golden years.
Les Bleus came agonizingly close to replicating that success in 2016, only to lose to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the grand final.
England suffered the same fate in 2020, squandering an early lead before being beaten by Italy in a penalty shoot-out at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Germany’s three European Championships triumphs have yet to come on home soil, though it’s worth noting this is only the second time they’ll be hosting the tournament.
It’s been almost three decades since the Euros’ joint-most successful team last won the trophy, losing 1-0 to other three-time champions Spain in their most recent title-deciding appearance in 2008.
Euro 2024 Favourites
According to numerous leading sportsbooks, the Germans are only the third-favourites to win the title.
Euro 2020 beaten finalists England, filled with top-shelf talent, and 2022 World Cup runners-up France are the joint-top candidates to cover themselves in continental glory this summer.
There’s a feeling Gareth Southgate can take two squads to the tournament, both of which would be able to compete for the trophy.
As for Les Bleus, after narrowly missing out on back-to-back World Cup titles, they’ll touch down in Germany to return to the top of the continent for the first time since 2000.
Predictions
Looking at the squad’s quality alone, England have yet to match in Europe.
With most of their players plying their trade in the Premier League and Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham assuming the limelight as headline performers at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, respectively, they’re odds-on to lift the crown.
However, putting the Three Lions ahead of France in the power ranking is almost impossible.
Led by Paris Saint-Germain talisman Kylian Mbappe, Didier Deschamps’ men have excelled at recent tournaments.
Amidst intense speculation linking Mbappe with a move to Madrid, the quicksilver forward could be playing his last international tournament as a domestic star.
Per El Nacional, the 25-year-old will take Ronaldo’s iconic No 7 at the Santiago Bernabeu, currently in possession of Brazil international Vinicius Junior.
Belgium and Germany are also in the mix, while it’s hard to write Croatia off after their recent results at elite tournaments.
However, bookmakers are rarely wrong, and it would be surprising to see anyone other than England and France at the podium.
Top Goalscorer
After winning the Golden Boot in Qatar, Mbappe is the frontrunner to pick up the same award this summer.
But the competition is as stiff as it gets.
England captain Kane is narrowly behind the PSG ace, while no one would dare to put it past Ronaldo to paint probably his last international tournament with flying colors.
Brave punters might turn to German teen sensation Jamal Musiala, who has drawn interest from Manchester City and PSG, per Sport.de.
It’s a long shot, but anything’s possible given the Bayern Munich starlet’s performances over the past two years.