Europe’s best footballers will converge on Germany over the next month to crown the continental champion.
A lot has changed across the board since Italy’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over England at Wembley to wrap up Euro 2020 in 2021 and the reigning champions will be eager to defend their crown.
They will have stiff competition across the board from England, World Cup finalists France, hosts Germany and perennial challengers Spain.
The squads have been named, the coaches have had the chance to tinker with their lineups and we are closing in on kickoff.
Check out our tournament best bets for Euro 2024 in Germany below with our group-by-group breakdown.
Group A
Germany | Scotland | Hungary | Switzerland
This group is all about hosts Germany, with a squad desperate to atone for a rough run in international tournaments.
Since their third place finish in 2016, they have been eliminated in the Group Stage of two World Cups and the Round of 16 in the last Euro tournament.
However with the squad they have there is no doubt that the Germans should not only top this group, but do it in comfortable fashion.
The real question is who out of the other three will progress to the knockout phase with Germany.
Switzerland have the squad to finish runners up and they should be able to account for Scotland and Hungary, with the Swiss squad headlined by a number of players coming off strong seasons.
While they probably won’t have the side to challenge beyond the Round of 16, they should be able to advance in second spot.
In a head to head battle to avoid bottom spot, I’m going to side with Scotland to get the job done.
After their squad ended a lengthy Euro absence three years ago, they now have the experience in this tournament to see their way through the group.
As long as they don’t lose to Hungary when they face of on the morning of June 24 (AEST) they seem better equipped to go into damage limitation mode when they play the group heavyweights
Germany-Switzerland Straight Forecast @ $2.88
Hungary to Finish Bottom of Group A @ $2.40
Group B
Spain | Croatia | Italy | Albania
There would have been a number of expletives uttered from Spain, Croatia and Italy when this group stage draw was conducted as this is easily the toughest one to pick.
On the bright side, all three of those heavyweights are capable of winning this group but they could also find themselves in a bit of strife on Matchday 3.
However this is where the current format works to their advantage because barring a major catastrophe, all three nations will likely progress to the Round of 16.
It’s just working out what order that is the tricky part as there is a case for all three nations.
Despite an aging squad lead by the veteran Luka Modric, Croatia just love tournament football and are a much better chance than their $5.00 quote, the same can be said for Italy at $3.20 given they are the reigning European champions (despite their recent struggles qualifying for a World Cup).
Meanwhile Spain is still a damn good side but it’s tough to back them at their current price with such stiff competition, it might be better to stay away for the time being.
Where there is value is backing the two “outsiders” here to reach the Quarter Final given they should go into their first knockout match with a real chance to progress.
Those are the best bets for the Group B teams at Euro 2024, and we must also mention Albania who have to be wondering who walked under a ladder to earn this horrific draw.
Italy to Reach the Quarter Finals @ $2.10
Croatia to Reach the Quarter Finals @ $3.00
Group C
Slovenia | Denmark | Serbia | England
Denmark’s miraculous run to the Semi Finals in Euro 2020 was something special given the drama that unfolded with Christian Eriksen in their opening match.
Now they are back once again and are hoping to put together a similar run in Germany.
Topping England will be a big ask for the Danes, but they have their inspirational playmaker back and with the added motivation of an early exit in Qatar, this squad will be eager to make amends for that.
It does feel like a pretty clear cut top two in Group C, with tournament heavyweights England knowing just how heavy the weight of expectation is on them.
Anything less than topping this group would be presented as a disaster and frankly, they are too good to expect anything less from.
Unfortunately for Serbia and Slovenia, both of whom will be hoping to put together a miracle run of their own, it is tough to see them doing so.
Slovenia looks like they only really have one way to win and it is relying on Jan Oblak to double as a brick wall in front of goal.
As for Serbia they have a little bit more firepower without a question, but there was not a lot to like about their efforts at the World Cup and some lacklustre showings in qualifying.
Both will be thinking their best chance of any points comes in the head to head match.
England-Denmark Straight Forecast @ $2.88
Group D
Poland | Netherlands | Austria | France
The real intrigue for Group D is in the race for second spot between the Netherlands, Poland and Austria.
France have a case to be outright favourites but will have to settle for the second line of betting at publish behind England, however Didier Deschamps’ side should cruise through this group with minimal fuss.
The best bet for the French side is to back them to take all nine points on offer as they have the talent and squad depth to handle all three fixtures without overloading their key players prior to the knockouts.
While the Dutch have the next best side in terms of talent, they will face some stiff competition from Poland and Austria for the second automatic qualifying spot.
Lead by the inimitable Robert Lewandowski, Poland have the experience to cause some problems for the likes of Austria and the Netherlands.
Even though a couple of their key players are on the wrong side of 30, they have a solid squad and look like a much better chance than their current pricing would suggest.
Whether it is Poland or the Netherlands advancing in second spot, a first up draw between these two is entirely possible which would have them both well placed to finish on four points and get through.
Austria have assembled a decent group of players as well but taking on France first up will likely leave them playing catch up in their next two matches which is no easy feat.
France 9 Group Points @ $3.25
Poland to Qualify @ $2.50
Group E
Belgium | Slovakia | Romania | Ukraine
It feels like we have been waiting for Belgium’s golden generation to break through and win some silverware for a decade now.
If Qatar in 2022 was not their last chance to do that, this tournament probably is when you look at the ages of those one time promising youngsters.
Captain Kevin De Bruyne will be part of a veteran group that will be out to atone for a number of disappointing tournaments, however it’s tough to completely trust them.
Their generation next with the likes of Amadou Onana, Jeremy Doku and more will dictate the success of this team, but I’m happy to back another earlier than expected exit for the Belgians in the knockout phase.
As for the rest of the group, it’s not the most inspiring field but it looks like the market has got it right for the Ukraine being the best of the remaining teams.
A runner up finish in Group E would book a date with the second place side in Group D which is likely to be the Netherlands or possibly Poland, both teams that are more than capable of laying an egg and getting upset.
There is enough value in backing Ukraine to make it to the knockouts to do a double down play on their stage of elimination.
I really haven’t got much to say about either Slovakia or Romania other than they can be happy to be there.
The biggest moment for either of these teams will be making sure that they don’t finish last in the group.
Belgium to be Eliminated in the Last 16 @ $2.63
Belgium to be Eliminated in the Quarter Finals @ $2.88
Ukraine to be Eliminated in the Last 16 @ $2.25
Ukraine to be Eliminated in the Quarter Finals @ $5.50
Group F
Turkey | Georgia | Portugal | Czech Republic
All things considered, Portugal should waltz through this group and lock in top spot quite easily which will be a welcome relief for their top heavy and aging squad.
The schedule has worked in their favour to earn maximum points with their toughest test coming on Matchday 2 against Turkey.
Second spot will likely come down to the final matchday between the Czech Republic and Turkey and with the talent that Vincenzo Montella has at his disposal in the Turkish squad, they should be able to secure that runners up spot.
Although that may come with a bit of a “be careful what you wish for” warning because the runner up in this group will be likely facing France in the Round of 16.
Portugal-Turkey Straight Forecast @ $3.00
Portugal 9 Group Points @ $3.00
Player Awards
Before we get to the knockout stage and overall winners, let’s take a quick look at the player markets on offer for Euro 2024.
Despite having two clear favourites, the top goalscorer market is far more wide open than Harry Kane ($5.00) and Kylian Mbappe ($5.50).
While both will have their chances, not to mention take their side’s penalties, both could struggle to score a lot in the Group Stage which is where the Golden Boot winner normally gets a fill up.
That brings the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku ($11.00) into play as both have favourable draws in their first three matches and could score.
However just like the Belgian team itself, I’m steering clear of Lukaku as I’m expecting a bit of a let down from that side, despite the Roma striker scoring 14 goals in Euro qualifying.
Even at his advanced age Ronaldo is still as lethal as ever and he may be able to boost his tally against the Czech Republic and Georgia in the Group Stage to give himself some insurance against an early exit.
As for a roughie, the Germans scoring a lot at home are always a worthwhile play and Niclas Fullkrug is coming off a 16-goal season for Borussia Dortmund.
Not to mention he has a decent record for Germany with 11 goals in 16 appearances, including two in the World Cup.
They also have a relatively open group and he could find himself scoring a few even if he is sharing the work with other teammates.
Cristiano Ronaldo Top Goalscorer @ $11.00
Niclas Fullkrug Top Goalscorerer @ $34.00
As for the player of the tournament, you have to back someone whose team is going to have a deep run and no player fits that bill more than Real Madrid’s new crown jewel Mbappe.
He was immense for France at the World Cup and has only gotten better in the 18 months since, not to mention his star power will draw plenty of attention from the voters.
The same theory applies to the likes of Ronaldo, Kane, De Bruyne and others near the top of this market, but all are on teams that have major red flags when it comes to a potential deep run in the tournament.
Despite being 38, Croatia’s Luka Modric is still a mainstay for his national team and will be instrumental in any success Zlatko Dalic’s team is going to have.
Coming off another Champions League title, Modric looks like phenomenal value at his current price and the story of him guiding Croatia on another deep run will be too good to avoid.
Kylian Mbappe Player of the Tournament @ $8.00
Luka Modric Player of the Tournament @ $81.00
There is only one name to take in this market and it’s the Spanish winger who will be juggling his high school work in between playing for the Spanish side.
Despite being just 16, he featured in 50 games for the Catalan club this season and is the next big hope for the national team.
Since debuting in September last year, Yamal has tallied seven appearances for Spain with two goals and four assists.
The stage won’t be too big for him and he will have his chance to shine in Germany.
Lamaine Yamal Young Player of the Tournament @ $10.00
Tournament Winner
Now for the big pick, who will be crowned champions of Europe for the next four years.
There are major red flags about England, with Gareth Southgate already talking about consequences of failure in this tournament.
Perhaps this is where they do finally break through and win but at $4.50, it’s not worth backing them as favourites, especially with some of the warning signs in the build up to the tournament.
France will be there or thereabouts once again, but if Mbappe is even a little bit off his game, can they could on Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann to pick up the slack?
Not to mention Deschamps habit of playing favourites even if it might come at the detriment of his side’s overall success.
While they are not quite the heavyweight choice they were 12 years ago, I really like the look of this Spanish team.
They have quality all over the park, even if they don’t have a true superstar like France or England.
The sum of their parts with key players like Pedri, Rodri and others will help them through the Group Stage and steel them for a tough knockout phase.
From there it just becomes a battle of attrition and Spain’s collective play is going to give them a chance in every match.
Spain to Win Euro 2024 @ $8.00