Spain to Win and Muller Top Scorer in Euro 2016 Top Tips
For the first time ever, the hosts, the world champion and the European champion are the three favourites ahead of Euro 2016. France, Germany and Spain, in order of the plot, and in order of the bookmakers’ outright winners.
WINNERS – France 4.00, Germany 4.50 and Spain 6.50 on Bet365, but maybe the best pick is on Vicente Del Bosque’s Spanish side, as they look to make it three consecutive European titles. Despite the fact Spain haven’t lost at a European Championship since 2004 nobody fancies them. France may have Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann, but they are also without Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema and there are no replacements for them. Germany are world champions but their form since lifting the crown in Brazil two years ago suggests anything but that. If we are looking purely at the squads, then simply nothing compares to Spain’s. Spain may have a tough group, but it is feasible that they could have a kind route to the final.
THE FINAL – In order to calculate the final it is crucial to analyse the knockout bracket. Being strong is simply not enough. You also need luck. If you look past the three favourites, there is Belgium and England, then Portugal and Italy. Belgium are the highest ranked team at the tournament but have been handed a very tough draw with Germany a potential opponent in the quarters, followed by France in the last four. Spain, meanwhile, can avoid all of them and meet the winner of France-Germany (assuming each top their group). The pressure of the favourites tag, as well as being hosts, could prove too much for France against Germany, who notoriously always delivers at major tournaments. That’s why, in spite of France being absolute favourites with the bookies, the lowest odds on the final are Spain-Germany, at 12.00 – betting on Spain to triumph from that is priced at 26.00!
TOP SCORER - The odds on Thomas Muller have plummeted. He was already in the mix but doubts over Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness has seen the Germany international leapfrog the Real Madrid star as outright favourite, at 8.00. Ronaldo and Griezmann are out at 9.00, while Kane is at 15.00 and Olivier Giroud 17.00. Obviously, the top goalscorer at a major tournament invariably comes from the team that progresses deep into the competition but Muller remains the best option, simply for his unrivalled instinct in front of goal. You want someone with high odds and a reasonable risk? Try Antony Martial, at 26.00…
OUTSIDERS – As mentioned, the schedule plays a huge part in your route to the final. For that reason, England and Wales could be considered as outsiders for the tournament – coincidentally in the same group. Once out of the group, which England should finish as winners, England can face an Italy side bereft of talent or a tactically wise Portugal side too dependent on an injured Ronaldo. If Roy Hodgson goes with youth, England could have their best tournament in 20 years are priced at 6.00 to reach the last four. As for Wales, they have a solid team ethos and one star in the name of Gareth Bale. It is well within their reach to finish second by England and if other groups play out kindly to them, they could feasibly have a manageable route until they meet France in the quarters – priced at 5.00. For those looking to repeat the heroics of Leicester City at the Euros, unfortunately bookmakers have wised up and the longest odds you can get are at 501.00, on Albania winning the Euros.
