England will be gunning for their first major tournament victory since the 1966 World Cup when they open their Euro 2020 schedule this weekend as the +500 title co-favourites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Winners in six straight outings across all competitions, England enjoys the benefits of a favourable draw and home-field advantage at this year’s tournament. London’s Wembley Stadium will be the scene for each of the Three Lions’ three group stage contests, as well as the Euro 2020 final matchup on Sunday, July 11.
The English have been dominant since overcoming an inconsistent stretch in UEFA Nations League action when European play resumed last fall. The club has outscored opponents by a wide 15-1 margin during their current 6-0-0 win-draw-loss run, and has kept clean sheets on five occasions while posting wins in seven of eight Euro qualifying contests.
However, the Three Lions face a massive challenge in their bid to rewrite a losing narrative that dates back six decades. England has never reached the finals at the Euro in nine appearances since 1968, with their loss on penalties to Germany at Wembley in the semi-finals of the 1996 edition of this tournament marking the closest they have come to glory.
Conversely, France will be looking to build on their victory at the 2018 World Cup as they open the tournament alongside England as +500 co-favourites at betting sites. Les Bleus have traditionally been a consistent threat at this tournament, raising the trophy on two previous occasions, and reaching the final in 2016.
France has also produced consistent results in recent outings, going 6-1-0 in their past seven overall, capped by dominating wins over Wales and Bulgaria earlier this month. However, an unfortunate draw has landed France in this year’s group of death, where they are joined by Germany, Hungary, and defending champions Portugal.
Set as the No. 1 side on the FIFA world rankings, Belgium closely trails the favourites as a +600 wager on the Euro 2020 odds. Undefeated in 24 overall contests since October 2018, Italy follows, joining three-time winners Spain at +800, while Germany and Portugal lag at +900 odds to win the tournament.
Belgium dominated in Euro qualifying, surrendering just three total goals while racking up an unblemished 10-0-0 record. However, the Red Devils’ tough group stage schedule is complicated by matchups against Russia and Denmark in Saint Petersburg and Copenhagen, respectively.
Quickly bounced from the 2018 World Cup as defending champions, Germany will have plenty to prove as they seek a record fourth Euro title. The same is true of Portugal, who get set to defend their crown after posting wins in just six of their past 11 outings.
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