Euro 2020 Groups – Who will proceed?
Your Guide to the Action from the First Round of Euro 2020!
We've all been looking forward to it - since last year really - a summer tournament featuring all the top European nations which is very much welcomed! The summer will feature some of the greatest players in the game representing their country in the road to European football glory!
With the tournament just a couple of months away it is time to start your Euro 2020 betting research so you are ahead of the game. In this preview we are set to breakdown each group for you, giving you expert insight, stats, and our top tips for what we think will happen during the group stages of the tournament. So without further ado, let’s get started with Group A, but if you want to move directly on to the group of your choice, you may use the list here:
Table of Contents
- Your Guide to the Action from the First Round of Euro 2020!
- Group A
- Group B
- Group C
- Group D
- Group E
- Group F
Group A
Turkey vs Italy, Friday 11th June - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Wales vs Switzerland, Saturday 12th June - Olympic Stadium, Baku
Turkey vs Wales, Wednesday 16th June - Olympic Stadium, Baku
Italy vs Switzerland, Wednesday 16th June - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Switzerland vs Turkey, Sunday 20th June - Olympic Stadium, Baku
Italy vs Wales, Sunday 20th June - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Group A kicks off the tournament in Rome as group favourites Italy face Turkey. The Italians made light work of qualifying for the tournament with 10 victories from their 10 group stage games, which saw them score 37 times and concede just 4. Goals came from all across the squad with 19 different scorers and Andrea Belotti grabbing the most with 4. Although it is by no means a certainty, if the Italians perform as we know they can, they should make fairly light work of Group A and show everyone why they are heavy favourites to win the group.
The Swiss hope to progress to the knockout stage
Switzerland will be hopeful of progression in the tournament having finished as runners-up in their group in 2016. They edged out Denmark to top their qualifying group, losing just one of their 8 games and they look well placed to finish behind Italy in Group A. They lack any real star players but they are a strong collective who will look to prove they are more than the sum of their parts and you should find some decent Euro 2020 odds on them.
Gareth Bale to push the Welsh onwards
It won’t be easy for the Swiss though as both Turkey and Wales will fancy their chances of causing a bit of an upset. Wales made the semi-finals last time out and the Dragons will look to star men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to inspire them once again. The Welsh may pose Switzerland the most danger for the sacred second spot that guarantees qualification.
Turkey’s path to the tournament wasn’t without its troubles, but they fended off a spirited Iceland to finish 2nd behind World Cup winners France. Everton striker Cenk Tosun will be the man they look to for their goals as he finished the group as the second top scorer with 5.
Italy clear favorites to win the group
With Italy huge favourites to progress it is hard to make a claim for any other outcome. The battle behind them will be intriguing though with three fairly even sides contesting to qualify. Switzerland’s tournament experience should see them through although Wales will provide a stern test given the quality they possess within their ranks.
Group B
Denmark vs Finland, Saturday 12th June - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
Belgium vs Russia, Saturday 12th June - Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg
Finland vs Russia, Wednesday 16th June - Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg
Denmark vs Belgium, Thursday 17th June - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
Russia vs Denmark, Monday 21st June - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
Finland vs Belgium, Monday 21st June - Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg
Group B is an interesting prospect. Belgium will be looking to really kick on this tournament after their golden generation of players suffered World Cup heartbreak in the semi-finals in 2018. Their squad packs an incredible array of talent which saw a perfect qualification campaign, scoring 40 goals and conceding just 3. With talents like Dries Mertens, Eden Hazard, and Kevin de Bruyne looking to tee up Romelu Lukaku, who will certainly be eyeing up the golden boot trophy, they should cruise through this group.
Behind the Belgians though, it is all up for grabs. Finland will be looking to make an impact on their tournament debut and with the goals of Teemu Pukki who netted ten in qualifying, they will pose a threat for the two more established sides.
Worth keeping your eye on Russia and Denmark
Russia are coming off the back of a successful home World Cup, which saw them just miss out on a semi-final place to eventual finalists Croatia. The Russians will be familiar with their Belgian rivals as they finished second behind them in qualifying with their two defeats coming at the hands of the men under Roberto Martinez.
Denmark will be full of confidence heading into the tournament having gone undefeated and full of goals throughout qualification. Starman Christian Eriksen will provide the quality they need and he was the qualifying group's top scorer, having netted 5 times in the 8 ties. Supported by Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen, Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite, and Hoffenheim’s Robert Skov, the Danes will be looking to showcase their goal-scoring prowess on the European stage as they look to emulate their 1992 Euros success.
The battle for second place behind Belgium
Roberto Martinez will be under pressure to qualify with ease and we are expecting the Belgians to do so. Behind them will be a scrap for second that we are backing Denmark to win, although we anticipate Russia pushing them all the way.
Group C
Austria vs Macedonia, Sunday 13th June - Arena Nationala, Bucharest
The Netherlands vs Ukraine, Sunday 13th June - Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
Ukraine vs Macedonia, Thursday 17th June - Arena Nationala, Bucharest
The Netherlands vs Austria, Thursday 17th June - Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
Macedonia vs The Netherlands, Monday 21st June - Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
Ukraine vs Austria, Monday 21st June - Arena Nationala, Bucharest
The Netherlands will be disappointed with anything other than a group victory and they are quite rightly favourites to progress. They were runners up in qualification, taking second place to Germany, but looked much more like their old selves. Memphis Depay will be their main goal threat at the tournament, but there will be some concern about the fitness of Virgil Van Dijk who looks increasingly likely to miss out. That said, their depth should see them through what is largely considered one of the weaker groups at the tournament.
The fight to follow the Netherlands into the knockouts
Ukraine and Austria are likely to battle it out for second place, avoiding the anxiety of waiting to see if third place is enough. Ukraine excelled in qualification and they will look to carry that form into the tournament as they remained undefeated. Their solid defence is their foundation and they will prove a difficult proposition for any side to breakdown. Austria on the other hand progressed without the use of the playoffs at the expense of fellow Group C nation, North Macedonia.
North Macedonians will be absolutely delighted to even be at the tournament. It’s an incredible achievement for the nation with a population of just 2,000,000. They lost in both their outings to Austria in qualification, but they will work tirelessly to make their country proud, and who knows, maybe they will spring a surprise with some of the biggest Euro 2020 odds of the tournament?
Ukraine look likely to take second place
The Netherlands should be comfortable in Group C and basing it on their qualifying form, we are backing Ukraine to follow them in our Euro 2020 betting tips. North Macedonia will be looking to enjoy themselves and put at least some points on the board during their three games.
Group D
England vs Croatia, Sunday 13th June - Wembley Stadium, London
Scotland vs Czech Republic, Monday 14th June - Hampden Park, Glasgow
Croatia vs Czech Republic, Friday 18th June - Hampden Park, Glasgow
England vs Scotland, Friday 18th June - Wembley Stadium, London
Croatia vs Scotland, Tuesday 22nd June - Hampden Park, Glasgow
Czech Republic vs England, Tuesday 22nd June - Wembley Stadium, London
England will be looking to avenge their World Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Croatia in one of the tournament’s most intriguing groups. England and Scotland both benefit from a home advantage in a group that sees the old foes clash at Wembley. Croatia are World Cup finalists and the Czech Republic defeated England in qualification. It really is all to play for in Group D.
England’s squad is full of youth and energy with household names littered across the entire squad. Harry Kane topped the entire Euros qualifying scoring charts and will be looking to add to his World Cup golden boot. Gareth Southgate will be under pressure to ensure the Three Lions progress deep into the competition and are favourites to progress as group winners.
Croatia not as strong now but the Czechs have potential
Croatia also topped their qualifying group and despite a stuttering campaign will be brimming with confidence knowing they have the psychological advantage of a recent semi-final victory over England. The squad is older now though, with some key players having retired and expectations are not as high as you would expect from a World Cup finalist.
As we touched on, the Czech Republic edged out England in a qualifying game and should not be written off. They will have their eyes set on progression whether that is through a top-two place or a best-placed third position, they won’t mind too much. The Czech’s line-up isn’t full of stars but the likes of West Ham’s, Tomas Soucek and Bayer Leverkusen’s, Patrik Schick certainly possess enough quality to worry the likes of England, Croatia, and Scotland.
Speaking of the Scots, they will be buoyed by the prospect of playing two of their games on home turf, as well as the possibility of beating England in their own backyard. It’s Scotland’s first tournament in 22 years and they won’t be there to make up the numbers. With the likes of Andrew Robertson, Scott McTominay, and Kieran Tierney, the Scots have a solid core, and with the news that Southampton striker Che Adams has opted to play for them, they pose a significant attacking threat.
Scotland to fight all the way to the last group game
Scotland might be the lowest-ranked side in the group, but you should certainly not rule them out. England and Croatia should have enough to progress in Group E, and we are backing the Scots to use home advantage and clinch the third spot which could of course be crucial to progressing.
Group E
Poland vs Slovakia, Monday 14th June - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Spain vs Sweden, Monday 14th June - San Memes, Bilbao
Sweden vs Slovakia, Friday 18th June - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Spain vs Poland, Saturday 19th June - San Memes, Bilbao
Slovakia vs Spain, Wednesday 23rd June - San Memes, Bilbao
Sweden vs Poland, Wednesday 23rd June - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Spain will be looking to reclaim their title as Europe’s best side and with all three of their games being played on home soil, La Roja will be confident they can get the job done. They went unbeaten through qualifying in a group that included fellow Group E side Sweden, scoring 31 times in their 10 games and conceding just 5. Goals came from throughout the side with Alvaro Morata and captain Sergio Ramos top scorers on four apiece.
Sweden boosted by the iconic Ibrahimovic
Sweden was hoping to welcome back all-time top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the ripe old age of 39, but his unfortunate injury will make it seemingly impossible for him to help propel them further into the competition. They will face stiff competition from Poland who themselves have a goal scorer of legendary status with Lewandowksi netting six times as the Poles topped their qualifying group. Poland's squad is full of quality and the likes of Krzystof Piatek and Arkadiusz Milik will be on hand to assist the Bayern Munich striker. Poland will make life difficult for their opponents and we fancy their chances of progressing into the next round.
Slovakia to find it tough against strong opposition
That leaves Slovakia who were one of four sides to qualify from their qualifying group. Having lost out to Croatia and Wales in the qualifiers, hopes are not particularly high for the Slovaks who lack the quality of Spain, Poland or Sweden. Their hopes will lie with Feyenoord striker Robert Bozenik and former Napoli legend Marek Hamsik, who at 33 has his best years behind him. We anticipate Spain and Poland to finish top two with Sweden hoping to claim a third place qualifying spot.
Group F
Hungary vs Portugal, Tuesday 15th June - Puskas Arena, Budapest
France vs Germany, Tuesday 15th June - Allianz Arena, Munich
Hungary vs France, Saturday 19th June - Puskas Arena, Budapest
Portugal vs Germany, Saturday 19th June - Allianz Arena, Munich
Portugal vs France, Wednesday 23rd June - Puskas Arena, Budapest
Germany vs Hungary, Wednesday 23rd June - Allianz Arena, Munich
Every tournament has one, but Group F certainly justifies the title of ‘Group of Death’. With the uncertainty of the best third-placed finishes, we may well lose one of the tournament's best sides in this group. It sees reigning Champions Portugal, reigning World Cup winners France, the previous World Cup winner in Germany and an unlucky Hungary come together in what will certainly prove to be one of the tougher Euro 2020 betting groups.
Portugal to show their class and consistency
Starting with the current Champions, Portugal arguably has a better squad than they had when they won it. The experience of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Fonte, and Pepe, is now backed with the youthful talent of Joao Felix and the technical ability of the likes of Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota, and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. Portugal are tipped to go deep into the tournament and from the personnel available, it isn’t hard to see why. Their qualification was not without issues, however, as they snuck through in second place behind Ukraine.
Germany will always provide betting potential
Germany Coach, Joachim Lowe has announced that he will be stepping down after the tournament and he will be desperate to add a Euros title to the World Cup he won in 2014. The Germans qualified in style, topping a group including the Netherlands and netting 30 times in the process. Any side boasting the attacking wealth of Timo Werner, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Marco Reus, and Leon Goretzka is going to be a force to be reckoned with and the German backline is hardly lacking in quality. Expectations around the German camp aren’t what they once were but Germany always seems to deliver at tournaments and it would take a brave bettor to write them off for the Euro 2020 title.
France to come out on top while Hungary have a mountain to climb
World Cup winners France will be hoping to join Spain in holding both the World Cup and Euros at the same time. Les Bleus topped their qualifying group and frontman Olivier Giroud will be looking to overhaul Thierry Henry’s record of 51 France goals as he sits just behind him in second place heading into the tournament. The depth of Didier Deschamps squad in almost every position makes them the side to beat in this tournament and we’re expecting them to progress through an extremely difficult group.
What did Hungary do to deserve this? They could barely choose a harder group to have been drawn in. It is a very, very tall order for the Hungarians and any hopes of progression are fairly slim. This is football though and who knows what the tournament will hold? In possibly the toughest Euro 2020 group for betting, we are backing France and Portugal to clinch the top two spots, but we hope that Germany makes it through as well to ensure the highest quality of teams in the latter stages.
