UEFA Euro 2024 odds, predictions, picks: England remains favorite; France rises

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Pre-tournament futures bet via Chris “The Bear” Fallica:

The Dutch are always a popular pick to break through and win one of these major tournaments, but seven or so months out, I think the Oranje have a shot at making some noise this summer. Assuming they finish second to France in their group, that likely puts them in a Round of 16 match with Slovakia or Romania.

Portugal would be the highest–rated potential quarterfinal opponent, and in the semis could be Germany — which hasn’t been great in the last few international tournaments — or Spain. With depth and strength in the midfield and on defense, this Dutch side could make a very deep, dark-horse run.

PICK: Netherlands (+1600 at time of pick) to win UEFA Euro 2024*

* Editor’s note: Pick was made when the draw was released

Here are the previous UEFA Euro champions:

2020: Italy def. England

2016: Portugal def. France

2012: Spain def. Italy

2008: Spain def. Germany

2004: Greece def. Portugal

2000: France def. Italy

1996: Germany def. Czech Republic

1992: Denmark def. Germany

1988: Netherlands def. Soviet Union

1984: France def. Spain

1980: West Germany def. Belgium

1976: Czechoslovakia def. West Germany

1972: West Germany def. Soviet Union

1968: Italy def. Yugoslavia

1964: Spain def. Soviet Union

1960: Soviet Union def. Yugoslavia

Nuggets via FOX Sports Research

Italy won the 2020 title, beating England 3–2 in a penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw. The tournament was played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Germany and Spain are tied for most Euro titles with three each, followed by Italy and France (two each).

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was the 2020 Player of the Tournament, becoming the first goalkeeper to win the award.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo won the top scorer award in 2020 with five goals and one assist.

Here is some background information on the tournament from FOX Sports Research:

– Germany is taking part in its 14th UEFA European Championship, more than any other team.

– Portugal is taking part in its ninth UEFA Euros tournament, including eight in a row since 1996.

– France is taking part in its 11th European Championship, including nine in a row, the second-longest current run after Germany.

– Belgium is taking part in its seventh European Championship. It’s the first time they’ve qualified for three consecutive editions of the tournament.

– Spain is taking part in its 12th European Championship. Spain is the only nation to have won it back-to-back (2008, ’12).

– England is taking part in its 11th European Championship. No team has played as many games in the tournament without winning it (38 matches).

– Denmark is making their 10th appearance. Denmark won the tournament in 1992, which they qualified for after Yugoslavia was disqualified as a result of war in the Balkans.

– The Netherlands is taking part in its 11th European Championship. They last won the tournament in 1988, beating the USSR in the final (2-0).

– Croatia is taking part in its seventh European Championship and sixth in a row. Since Croatia’s first participation in 1996, it has reached the knockout phase four out of six times but never progressed beyond the quarterfinals.

– Czechia is taking part in its 11th European Championship (Czechoslovakia included), including eight in a row since 1996. Only Germany (14) and France (nine) are currently on longer runs.

– This is Italy’s 11th appearance in the European Championship – only Germany and Spain have won the tournament more times than the Azzurri (1968, 2020).

– As an independent nation, Serbia qualified for the European Championship for the first time. They competed as Yugoslavia five times, finishing second in 1960 and 1968.

– Switzerland is taking part in its sixth European Championship and third in a row. It’s also the first time Switzerland has qualified for six consecutive major international tournaments (World Cup and Euros) – over the past 20 years, it failed to qualify for a major tournament on only one occasion (Euro 2012).

The 17th tournament will be played from June 14-July 14 at stadiums across Germany.

You can watch all the action on FOX Sports, FS1, FS2 and FuboTV.

Chris “The Bear” Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an “occasional” wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He’s a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, “The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!” Follow him on Twitter @chrisfallica.