Euro 2016 Opening Odds and Analysis

The Euro 2016 groups have been drawn and it was very kind to one of the co-favorites and less so to another. France and Germany are both listed as the co-favorites according to Sportsbook at +300, but the French certainly got the better draw.

Group A

The hosts are looking for their first European Championship since 2000 and they got a friendly draw for their group stage. A sweep in the group stage is on the table, especially if Karim Banzema can get his personal stuff sorted out. Switzerland looks like the favorites to get the second spot in the group with Romania being just okay and Albania being awful.

Group B

England breezed through the qualifying, but will need to address their back four and try to make up for their collapse in the World Cup. Russia has been greatly improved under Leonid Slutsky, but is an aging group. Wales will be looked at as the Gareth Bale show, but there are some solid pieces there as well. Slovakia has a lot of experience, but seems like the odds man out early on.

Group C

The World Cup winners are rightfully co-favorites to win the Euro 2016, but they have an awkward group to deal with. Poland actually beat Germany in qualifying without Robert Lewandowski having his greatest game. Ukraine will depend on their wings while Northern Ireland uses a focused game plan to hide their lack of depth.

Group D

Spain is right behind Germany and France in the odds department, but Group D is not going to be a walk in the park. Spain has issues at center forward and there are teams that can flat out score in this group. If there is one group that will score a lot of goals, it is Group D.

Group E

This is as close as we are going to get for a group of death this year. Belgium and Italy are both in the top six in odds to win the championship. While one more big performance from Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic could knock either of the previously mentioned teams out. It also would not be a surprise to see Belgium walk through this group even without Eden Hazrad not in top form.

Group F

Group F looks like the weakest group both on the field and for odds. Portugal has some tempered expectations, but Christiano Ronaldo will likely be enough to draw money from casual bettors. Austria looked the best it has in a generation in qualifying, but that is not to say any team in this group can’t get through.