Euro 2024 Front-runners: Analyzing the Contenders for European Football Glory

In the run-up to Euro 2024, many fans are starting to make their predictions. Some do it themselves. Others prefer to look for free Euro 2024 predictor from renowned analysts and bookmakers.

Both ways are correct. As at every continental championship, there are favorites and underdogs. And if the latter can include conditional debutants (Georgia and Serbia) or Albania, then the favorites are traditionally at the top of the European ranking in football. Let’s take a closer look at the top 5 main favorites of the upcoming tournament and their real chances of success.

Spain

Furia Roja is traditionally considered the main contender for all championships. Moreover, they qualified perfectly. All questions about Luis de la Fuente, who was only coaching the youth national team before this qualification, also fell away.

Today, the Spanish national team is the reigning winner of the Nations League and managed to close the defeat against Scotland before a new head coach was appointed. Of course, the Spanish national team can make mistakes and recent friendlies against Colombia and Brazil prove it.

At the same time, the group at the Euros is not an easy one. Here and the reigning European champion Italy, and the ever-dangerous Croatia. The only underdog is Albania, but it is also capable of surprises. Nevertheless, the squad is quite good. Of course, the Spaniards will miss Gavi, but besides him, the team will be represented by really young superstars. For example, with the Euro, they will be able to prove themselves:

• Pedri;
• Pau Cubarsi;
• Lamin Yamal;
• Rodri and others.

Together with the experienced captain and goal scorer Alvaro Morata, Spain’s youth will be able to prove themselves at a high level. However, the absence of experienced players can also play a cruel joke with Furia Roja. But they should qualify for the playoffs.

Germany

The Bundestim are not just the host team of this tournament. But the home stands will drive them forward. Therefore, for fans to make a Euro 2024 predictor this team will be among the leaders.

Undoubtedly, the German machine has been preparing for the tournament not very well. Especially if we consider that at the last World Cup, they failed to get out of the group. For 2023, they lost 4 out of 6 matches and coach Hansi Flick lost his position. Today, head coach Julian Nagelsmann was able to instill the former confidence in the players with victories over France and the Netherlands.

The general age of the players raises some concerns. But still in the national team leaders are top players among which are:

• Antonio Rüdiger;
• Joshua Kimmich;
• Ilkay Gundogan;
• Toni Kroos;
• Manuel Neuer.

In addition to the experienced players, we should expect the unveiling of potential stars, among which Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz stand out. The attack is considered the weakest link in the German national team. Only Kai Havertz and Niklas Fullkrug can occupy the centre-forward position. But both have been performing well for the clubs recently.

If we take into account that the hosts of the tournament were lucky with the group (Switzerland, Scotland, and Hungary can’t exactly be classified as giants), the Bundestim have a pretty good chance for the playoffs and further advancement. But only the tournament itself will show whether this is the case.

England

Certainly, on euro 2024, predictors make and on the originators of football. Gareth Southgate’s team regularly performed well in recent tournaments, as they lacked only a final push in the final of the last Euro. The Lions qualified quite easily, as they only lost to the Ukraine national team in a match when they had already gone further out.

However, fans are concerned primarily about some conservatism on the part of the coach. The team can play a successful match but show themselves not at their best against the frankly weak Malta or Northern Macedonia. The coach himself has repeatedly admitted that the team was not at its best during qualification. But she still has top players in all lines, except for the goalkeeper.

Of course, it’s hard to call Pickford a top goalkeeper. It’s more like a quality average goalkeeper. But England’s attack is at its best. The trio of Sakka, Bellingham, and Kane are capable of scoring against any defense and are quite possibly ready to unleash their capabilities against any opponent.

Overall, England should be unstoppable in the playoffs against their opponents (Slovenia, Denmark, and Serbia), but it will only be decided as the tournament progresses.

Portugal

The Portugal national team has undergone a significant transformation since Roberto Martinez took over. An underwhelming World Cup campaign ended with the Seleção side winning 10 matches. In total, Portugal scored 36 goals during qualification. However, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes scored almost all of them. The defense also played at a high level, and the team conceded only 2 goals.

Since the team has a lot of good attacking players, their chances for the top spots in the tournament are very high, especially when you consider that there are no opponents in their group who could be a real competition for them (Turkey, Georgia, Czech Republic).

However, it is important to take into account that even the top teams that easily qualify do not always perform well in the tournament itself. Moreover, Portugal’s group was much weaker than England’s. Therefore, it is worth waiting for their matches directly at the Euros.

France

The defeat to Germany in a friendly match raised questions among fans. But for now, Le Blais continues to be the best team in Europe. Certainly, it has a few vulnerabilities. First and foremost is the lack of a top right-back. But this is a team where you can put together more than one squad of colorful players.

France has a mix of youth and experience. At the same time, young players have already performed well in top leagues (Tchouameni, Mbappe, Camavinga). In attack, veteran Olivier Giroud, young Marcus Thuram, or Randal Kolo Mouani can also prove themselves. Add to that Menyan in goal, Saliba in defense, and Griezmann as a conductor, and you will understand that it is difficult to oppose such a team.

Of course, every team in their group can spoil the statistics (Netherlands, Poland, Austria), but France has the best chance.

Conclusion

Of course, these teams are not the only contenders to win the Euros. Also, we should not forget about the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and possible dark horses. But these 5 teams are the main favorites for the final stages of the tournament. And only Euro 2024 will show whether any of them will become the winner of the tournament.