Euro 2016: The guide to the group betting – Group F
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The 2016 European Championships are within touching distance now, and with domestic football all but over for another year, it’s time to get studying to find the best bets for France this summer.
This year’s expanded format sees 24 teams instead of 16 take part, meaning there will be more opportunities to explore than ever before.
All in all it’s shaping up to be a thrilling tournament, but with six groups to contend with, we’ve laid out some handy group guides for this summer’s continental classic.
So here’s what you need to know about Group F, where you’ll find one dark horse and two tournament debutants looking to thwart a certain Cristiano Ronaldo…
The Teams:
Portugal
With Ronaldo in their team Portugal always have a chance, but this isn’t a side of the calibre which used to boast Luis Figo and Rui Costa et al.
Came through a five-team group efficiently but unspectacularly, and under former Greece coach Fernando Santos, play conservative football.
Should have enough in hand to ease past Iceland and Hungary, but don’t expect big victories.
Iceland
For a nation with the same population as Coventry, Iceland have already defied the odds to get this far.
Having finished second in a difficult qualifiying group – beating the Netherlands home and away – Lars Lagberack and Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men must be respected.
Gylfi Sigurdsson is the star man, while Kolbeinn Sigthorsson is a handful up front, but this is a nation big on team spirit and unity. They’re well organised and don’t concede many.
Austria
Marcel Koller’s Austria are quietly being talked about for a long run in the tournament, thanks to a superb squad and excellent form.
A fantastic qualifying saw them win nine and draw once, conceding just five times.
This is a young team with ability in every position, with David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic headlining. After showcasing their attacking prowess when hammering Sweden 4-1 last year, could be a shout for the group stage top scorers, and can trouble Portugal.
Hungary
The expanded format means Hungary are in France having won just four of their 10 group games in qualifying, and those came against relative minnows the Faroe Islands, and a lacklustre Finland, before ousting Norway in the play-offs.
No side in France won fewer group games to book their place, but the Magyars will be buoyed by a weak group.
Their best chance of progression is to beat Iceland, but it could be a long three games for a side lacking in top quality.
Top Theme: Wins to nil
Best Bets: Portugal are favourites – they have Ronaldo after all – but Austria are arguably a stronger squad, and given their excellent qualifying record, the 2/1 for them to top this group can’t be ignored.
Iceland should beat Hungary in the race for third, a position that they can be backed to finish in the group at 9/5.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
