CR7-led Portugal will try to defend their champion title, while France aims to add the European title to their World Cup trophy. Spain, England, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Croatia – all these countries also have something to offer and can seriously contend for high positions and create an impressive success story. In this article, we will predict the results of each group and provide an overall review of betting and predictions. So, the European Football Championship 2021.
European Football Championship 2021 TOP Betting Companies
European Football Championship Betting – Overview of Each Group
Group A
Teams:
- Turkey
- Italy
- Switzerland
- Wales
Predicted Standings:
- Italy
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Wales
Overview
For those less interested in football, everything here might seem very clear. Italy and another team will advance to the next stage. Unfortunately, insightful experts unanimously assert that everything here could be decided by one or two successful or unsuccessful attacks. The renewed Italians, who painfully had to watch the 2018 World Cup from home, as always, play slow, creative, and strong defensive football. Based on their form in the qualifiers, it can be said that the Italians are one of the brightest favorites of the tournament, but they have won almost all championships when no one considered them favorites. This is a team whose results at the beginning of the tournament greatly depend on their form. Although there is always potential, it is not always realized. Another plus – the Italians will play all their matches at home, in Rome…
The Turks, currently playing defensive football, can always surprise, especially when not much is expected from them. But, at least on paper, it seems that the Swiss are a better team. The national team from the land of bankers, with an extremely strong midfield, has been worthy of respect for several championships. However, after Alexander Frei stopped playing, Switzerland has been severely lacking a strong forward. In terms of betting, one of the best bets is Switzerland scoring less than 1.5 goals.
Wales doesn't lack offensive potential, having a star like G. Bale. However, serious accusations against former Manchester United midfielder R. Giggs and the Welsh national team coach for assaulting women and an unbalanced squad will probably prevent them from performing as well as they would like.
Group B also on June 12
Teams:
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Finland
- Russia
Predicted Standings:
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Russia
- Finland
Overview
On paper – one of the weaker and quite unintriguing groups. The summary – Belgium and the others. Danish footballers, always remembering the success and victory in the final of their predecessors who played in 1992, would like to repeat it, but such a possibility is almost unbelievable.
The Belgian national team, truly playing with their golden generation, is now the leader of the FIFA ranking, but this only shows how much this ranking system differs from the real football context. Belgium had their best performance in the 2018 World Cup, where they finished 3rd. Despite rather disappointing results, they are too strong for this group and with De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku, Mertens, and others, they should calmly march forward.
According to betting companies, the only team that could still try to challenge the Belgians is Denmark. Bookmakers and analysts see the character of this team and their unwillingness to give up, similar to how Sweden or Australia have often played recently. Denmark's goal is guarded by one of the best in this profession, so they can bite more than one elite team.
Russia and Finland are the group's outsiders. The latter qualified for the championship for the first time. Having defeated the Bosnians and Greeks in the qualifying group, the defensive football enthusiasts Finns will try not to return empty-handed from the championship. And Russia, although they will play several matches at home, almost never show good results. Opponents from other groups will eagerly await whether Russia advances to the next stage, as such an opponent would be the most favorable for them…
European Football Championship 2021 TOP Betting Companies
Group C on June 13 (Sunday)
Teams:
- Netherlands
- Ukraine
- Austria
- North Macedonia
Predicted Standings:
- Netherlands
- Ukraine
- Austria
- North Macedonia
Overview
Participants of Group F, looking at Group C, can only shake their heads. Yes, sometimes the draw is unfair and some of the strongest national teams in the world can end up in one quartet, while in another – complete mediocrities. The only team that can seriously contend for high places, the Netherlands, is certainly not as formidable as they were in the first half of the last decade. However, even the slowly recovering but not fully capable Netherlands should easily roll over all their opponents. Think otherwise?
Andriy Shevchenko's coached Ukraine demonstrates too unstable football to stop the technical and fast Dutch forwards.
A solid defensive line will surely stop anything the Austrians can offer, while North Macedonia's chances, according to bookmakers, are the lowest in the entire tournament, along with Finland. Although some see potential in this team, it is most likely that defeating Kosovo and Georgia (Sakartvelo) in the qualifiers is not comparable to what they will face in the group stage. Austria is a relatively unremarkable team, having recently conceded 4 goals from a relatively calm Danish attack. Ukraine is the most realistic candidate to advance to the next stage alongside the orange Dutch.
Group D
Teams:
- England
- Croatia
- Scotland
- Czech Republic
Predicted Standings:
- Croatia
- England
- Czech Republic
- Scotland
Overview
Many football analysts say this is the second strongest group in the tournament. Although, based on recent results, only the English, who invented football, and the Croatians, who have played excellently in the last few championships, can be highlighted, both the Czechs and the Scots are not newcomers to this level of football. In the group stage, we will see a replay of the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final between Croatia and England. It seems that this match will decide who takes the first place in the group.
Although England and Scotland are principled rivals, it is hard to see a real scenario where the Czech Republic or Scotland could pose a more serious challenge to their opponents. Although surprises always happen, it does not seem likely that they will occur in this group. Experience should overcome youthful maximalism (at least at this stage), and Croatia should be in first place after the group stage.
Group E
Teams:
- Spain
- Poland
- Sweden
- Slovakia
Predicted Standings:
- Spain
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Sweden
Overview
A group with a sentimental detail for us Lithuanians – the neighboring Polish team. Led by the best footballer of the year Lewy, the white-reds have the opportunity to challenge even the best teams. Never having gone to any tournament as favorites, the Poles have shown equal or even better results than most of the football elite in recent years, including the Italians, Brazilians, and the Spaniards themselves. However, no matter how many friendly sentiments we may have for our neighbors, it must be admitted that if the same Spanish team arrives at the tournament that simply destroyed Germany 6-0 in the UEFA Nations League matches six months ago, coach Luis Enrique really has nothing to worry about.
Slovakia and Sweden, although solid teams, will have to settle for the role of statisticians. Betting companies predict that the Swedes will collect 4-5 points, but it is likely that without their savior and ageless Zlatan Ibrahimović, the Swedes going to the tournament will not have the antidote for the Poles or the Slovaks themselves. Spain and Poland will advance, unless something very unexpected happens.
Top Betting Companies for the 2021 European Football Championship
Group F
Teams:
- France
- Portugal
- Germany
- Hungary
Predicted Standings:
- France
- Portugal
- Germany
- Hungary
Overview
In every football tournament, there is always one group that is too strong compared to the others. It gets the name “Group of Death.” This time, three of the top ten teams in the tournament ended up in one group. And Hungary. At least Hungarian fans and players themselves will be able to see how their talents compare against K. Mbappe, C. Ronaldo, or M. Neuer.
Predicting anything would be too difficult. Based on the form of recent matches, the weakest of the three titans, or more precisely, the most vulnerable, seem to be the Germans. However, even a fool knows that Germany has an advantage over Portugal and France in that they can play better in tough matches, score one goal, and control the rest of the game. Portugal will defend their European champion title, but they are criticized for being too dependent on the most popular person on Instagram – forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Nevertheless, the new generation of the national team seems to be strong enough to help overcome the struggling Germans. France? World champions, largely unchanged, and seem to have everything to triumph not only in the group but in the entire tournament.
Germany should not worry too much about finishing third. Although they always aim for the best result, it should be remembered that the four best third-placed teams in their groups advance to the next stage.
European Football Championship Bets
In this paragraph, we will review the bets that experts and forecasters see. We have highlighted three categories:
- Dark Horse – which team can surprise the most;
- Golden Boot – which player will score the most goals;
- Biggest Risk – which team is possibly the most overrated by bookmakers.
UEFA EURO 2021 Dark Horse – Italy and Poland
Why were these two teams chosen?
Let's start with the neighbors – the Poles. A lot in their game depends on how forward Robert Lewandowski performs. Although he does not have such a talented chance-creating staff as he does at Bayern Munich, the Polish attacking virtuoso has created many benefits in his national team and won many matches on his own.
To prove that they are more than just a good team, the Poles will certainly aim to show everyone what they can achieve. Their most likely opponents in the round of 16 are the very strong teams of Croatia or England. The outcome of this match will determine whether we remember this Polish football team as elite or just another decent team that didn't achieve much.
Italy is a team held to the highest standards. Like Germany, France, Spain, and England, the Italians are always among the favorites, even when they arrive with an incomplete squad or barely make it through the qualifying stages. Coach Roberto Mancini has done a good job with the lineup and changed the game plan so that Squadra Azzura has been showing very strong form lately. While France is probably the clear favorite, the Italians should not be underestimated, as they always find a way to surprise and somehow overcome even stronger opponents on paper.
Golden Boot – Englishman, Belgian, and Frenchman
Betsafe football bets and other bookmakers predict that the most likely candidates to win the Golden Boot are England's striker H.Kane, the Belgian giant R.Lukaku, and perhaps the world's most expensive footballer K.Mbappe.
Although the biggest favorite among them is H.Kane, the Englishman last won this trophy in 1996 when it was claimed by then Newcastle United striker A.Shearer. For some reason, English strikers have either arrived at top-level tournaments unprepared or disappointed with their performances. So, among bookmakers, it is probably another case of English media super-optimism before the tournament, as was the case with W.Rooney and M.Owen, who were fitted for the Golden Boot like Cinderella's slipper even before stepping onto the pitch.
Belgian Romelu Lukaku seems like a more realistic candidate to win. However, in the entire history of the UEFA Euro, no player from this country's team has managed to do so. Three Frenchmen have won the Golden Boot, making Kylian Mbappe look like someone with the necessary character, sufficient talent, and the right team to score many goals on his own. Although among the contenders for the boot are also the previous tournament's winner A.Griezmann and the experienced K.Benzema, Mbappe is the most realistic candidate.
Biggest Risk
As in every championship, EURO 2021 also has many uncertainties. In every tournament, some team exceeds expectations, while another completely fails to meet them. In betting, these are called risky or unpredictable teams.
Looking at the lineups and recent results, the following teams appear the most uncertain. When considering the riskiest bets, we mean those where high expectations are placed on the teams. So, for example, if Finland or Hungary were to collect just 1 point, it wouldn't be considered a big surprise.
Thus, the first team to be doubted is the Netherlands. Although no major troubles are expected in the group stage, it doesn't seem that the transitioning Oranje could make a significant impact. France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, even the struggling Germany or unpredictable England seem like more serious candidates for the top spots. Speaking of England…
This team is always hyped by the media and has many fans who like to talk loudly. It's similar to the Russians in ice hockey. Before the championship, it's announced that it will be won, but they end up packing their bags after some quarterfinal. It doesn't seem that England has the stability to make it to the top 4 teams. Especially since England will likely face Portugal, France, or Germany in the round of 16, they might have to pack their bags at this stage.
The last two very risky teams are Italy and Germany. Both play inconsistently and unpredictably. Although the Italians usually perform their best under such conditions (showing the highest results), the Germans don't seem capable of stopping the French or Portuguese attacks.
Top Betting Sites for the 2021 European Football Championship
Euro 2021 Artificial Intelligence Predictions and Insights
Every year, computer and statistical analysis technologies improve. Their progress allows us, as fans, to gain more insights and interesting facts, and bookmakers to make more accurate predictions about the outcomes of matches and entire tournaments. However, sports are interesting because they are unpredictable. Not all matches will be won by the favorites, which only adds to the excitement.
After numerous simulations and trial calculations, a powerful artificial intelligence computer from The Analyst has compiled the TOP 10 tournament favorites and their chances of winning the tournament:
- Switzerland (2.3%)
- England (5.2%)
- Denmark (5.4%)
- Netherlands (5.9%)
- Italy (7.6%)
- Portugal (9.6%)
- Germany (9.8%)
- Spain (11.3%)
- Belgium (15.7%)
- France (20.5%)
This prediction was made based on data from numerous simulations, recent match forms, and historical performances of countries in UEFA European Football Championships.
Experts' opinions slightly differ from the artificial intelligence analysis. Especially, they disagree on the positions of Denmark, England, and Germany. According to experts, Denmark and Germany are rated too high, while England is rated too low. Indeed, it is a strange insight that places small Denmark above the football-inventing English, although stranger things have happened.
France is the tournament favorite, followed by Belgium and Spain. After 40,000 simulations, it was calculated that these three teams seem to have the best chances of performing well.
Summary
Thus, European Football Championship betting predicts quite a few surprises. Although France arrives at the tournament as the biggest favorite, they certainly do not have as clear an advantage as, for example, Spain did about 10 years ago or Italy about 15 years ago. Viewers and enthusiastic fans can expect a really fun event. We hope our insights will be useful and interesting to you!
