The Sports Gambling Podcast Network will be covering international soccer all summer, starting with our Euro 2024 futures best bets. This is the 17th edition of the European championships. The tournament kicks off in Germany on Friday and ends with the final on July 14.
The format will stay the same as the 2020 competition, with the top two teams from each group moving on to the knockout rounds along with the four best third-place finishers. England is the betting favorite at +300 odds at DraftKings. The Three Lions are followed by France (+340), Germany (+550) and Spain (+700).
The long list of stars participating should make this an exciting competition. So, let’s dive into the action to preview our Euro 2024 futures best bets.
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Euro 2024 Futures Best Bets
Euro 2024 Champion Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
England +300
France +340
Germany +550
Spain +700
Portugal +800
Italy +1600
Belgium +1600
Netherlands +1600
Denmark +3500
Croatia +4000
Ready for EURO 2024! 🤩#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Fb7WEdgJff
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2024
Favorite Outright: Portugal +800
I believe Portugal has the best combination of form in qualifying and the path of opponents to make a long run in this tournament.
For starters, the Seleção was the only nation to win all 10 qualifying games. This is also the same side that outscored opponents by 34 goals and only allowed two, which were both the best marks across Europe.
It has been clear that bringing in Roberto Martínez as manager has been the right move. Martínez is also a coach who has had great success at the international level, leading Belgium to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup.
The run starts in Group F against the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Georgia, which are all outside the top 35 in the FIFA rankings. Portugal then likely faces a third-place group finisher in the Round of 16.
A meeting with the Dutch isn’t too scary in the quarterfinals before a potential semifinal matchup with either Germany or Spain. Meanwhile, England and France are both on the other side of the bracket.
I believe Martínez has a great mix of flair and veterans on his roster to make a deep run at Euro 2024.
Favorite Group Bet: Scotland – Lowest Scoring Team (+1000)
Scotland was a solid squad in qualifying out of a group that included Spain and Norway. However, I just don’t trust the country’s goalscorers in a difficult Group A.
Manager Steve Clarke’s offense was led by Scott McTominay’s seven goals in qualifying. He was followed by midfield partner John McGinn with three. Clarke will now have to rely on those two players for goal contributions against strong defenses in Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland.
It also doesn’t help that starting striker Lyndon Dykes picked up an injury in a recent friendly. Unfortunately, he won’t recover in time to participate in this tournament.
The safer selections are for Scotland to finish last in Group A or to fail to qualify, but I like how this bet sets up at the longer odds.
Favorite Parlay: England to Win Group C & Portugal to Win Group F (-104)
After my write-up on Portugal, I’ll focus on England for this bet. The tournament favorite received a favorable group of Denmark, Serbia, and Slovenia. I just trust Gareth Southgate as manager at these competitions. During his tenure, England has won its group at Euro 2020 and World Cup 2022.
This team was dominant in qualifying for this event, including a pair of wins over Italy. According to fbref.com, Southgate’s squad also held opponents to just 0.59 expected goals per 90 minutes.
He can pair this stout defense with an attack that includes Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bakayo Saka. With all of the added pieces off the bench, this is Southgate’s strongest team during his time with England.
