Sports Journalist at FST, Gareth qualified as a journalist after graduating from university and spent over a decade as a freelance broadcast journalist, commentator and tipster before joining FST. Now living in Manchester, he is a long suffering Bolton Wanderers fan who also enjoys boxing, the NBA, tennis and rugby league.
The line-up for Euro 2024 is now confirmed, with Poland, Ukraine and Georgia progressing in the qualifying play-offs. None of those sides are expected to top the standings in their respective groups this summer, but we could be in line for a few surprises.
With that in mind, I’ve picked out a potential winner and put together a huge 536/1 group winner acca with plenty of tempting underdog options ahead of the competition in Germany.
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Euro 2024 outright winner prediction
Belgium a value option
England and France are the joint favourites at 7/2 but both look a little short to me. The Three Lions haven’t won anything since 1966 and I’m not convinced Gareth Southgate is the man to end that barren spell personally, although I accept that isn’t necessarily a popular opinion!
France should be there or thereabouts but their record in this competition is nowhere near as impressive as it is in the World Cup even if they are two-time champions. Les Bleus hopes also hinge on Kylian Mbappe being fit, so if he were to pick up any kind of issue their price would drift. If you are tempted by either England or France it shouldn’t make a great deal of difference to wait until closer to the tournament as their respective prices probably won’t change so I’ve opted for a bit of an outsider here, and at 14/1 Belgium look a good option.
Another ‘Golden Generation’ is coming towards the end of their time together for the Red Devils as Kevin De Bruyne is 32, this will almost certainly be 36-year-old Jan Vertonghen’s last tournament and Romelu Lukaku, Michy Batshuayi and Yannick Carrasco have all reached 30 – while Axel Witsel has retired from international football and Eden Hazard has retired altogether.
There has been real pressure on this team in previous tournaments but that won’t be the case particularly next summer, and that may work in their favour. The above veterans may be coming towards the end of their respective international careers but they all still have plenty to offer and there are a few younger players with plenty of quality in the Belgium squad as well – such as Jeremy Doku, Lois Openda and Aster Vranckx.
New-ish Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco has been quietly getting on with business since replacing Roberto Martinez, with eight wins and two draws in 10 games so far, and the Italian has experience of landing silverware, having guided RB Leipzig to the DfB Pokal in 2022.
Belgium are a 14/1 chance and it wouldn’t surprise me if they came in a bit as the tournament draws closer, particularly if De Bruyne is able to hit form when he returns from injury and Doku and Openda keep impressing at club level. Their best XI is a match for any European rival, and they have a favourable group stage draw so they look great potential dark horses for anyone after an early bet on the Euro 2024 winner and at 14/1 they’re backable as an each-way option as well.
Euro 2024 Group Winners Acca
Group A – Switzerland
Germany are the big favourites to win Group A as the host nation but underdogs Switzerland could be the way to go here. This is a very competitive group, with Hungary and Scotland completing it, and a case could be made for any of the four teams involved. Germany have been out of sorts for a while and look vulnerable, and this efficient Swiss outfit may be the team who can take advantage.
Group B – Croatia
Group B is another competitive batch with Spain, Italy and Croatia lumped together, alongside Albania. Spain are the clear favourites but it is worth remembering they finished behind Japan in the 2022 World Cup groups. Italy are the defending champions, but Croatia continue to surprise at major tournaments and as the outsiders of this big trio they look very backable here.
Group C – England
England have made a habit of breezing through qualification and group stages then disappointing in the knockouts. The Three Lions have what looks a fairly comfortable first round draw, expect them to top the Group C pile before harder tests further down the line.
Group D – France
The Netherlands look the biggest threat to French dominance in Group D, which will be completed by a play-off winner. France have topped their groups in every tournament since finishing second to England at Euro 2012, so back them to come out on top again.
Group E – Belgium
Romania, Slovakia and a play-off winner join Belgium in Group E, and the Red Devils should be able to progress as group winners with relative ease here.
Group F – Turkey
Portugal are the favourites in Group F ahead of Turkey, Czech Republic and the final play-off winner. The Turks beat Germany in a friendly this year and finished above Croatia in qualifying, so take a chance on them finishing above Portugal.
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