Euro 2020 Group B odds: Belgium top dogs
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The delayed European Championship is under way as 24 teams begin their quest to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy and we’re taking a look at all six groups.
Belgium are third favourites at 13/2 to win Euro 2020 but need to negotiate a group containing Russia, Denmark and Finland before they can contemplate the knockout stage.
Let’s take a look at the four teams and their Euro 2020 Group B odds.
Belgium
Coach: Roberto Martinez
Key player: Romelu Lukaku
Belgium were one of two nations to win all 10 games during qualifying to finish six points clear of Russia, one of their Group B opponents.
The Red Devils beat Russia 3-1 and 4-1 home and away and they also enjoyed comfortable victories against Denmark in the Nations League during the autumn.
Belgium were shocked by Wales in the quarter-finals five years ago and went a stage further at the 2018 World Cup, so perhaps this could be their year, although Kevin De Bruyne will miss the opening match against Russia having fractured his nose and eye socket during the Champions League final.
Russia
Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov
Key player: Artem Dzyuba
Russia are available at 100/1 in the Euro 2020 odds having reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup which they hosted.
Cherchesov’s side won eight of their 10 games in qualifying to finish nine points clear of third-placed Scotland on the back of Dzyuba’s nine goals but they were crushed 5-0 by Serbia in the Nations League in November three days after losing to Turkey.
They also lost 2-1 to Slovakia in World Cup qualifying so they will need to up their game if they are to reach the last 16.
Denmark
Coach: Kasper Hjulmand
Key player: Christian Eriksen
Denmark are the second favourites to win Group B and 25/1 to win the tournament having finished runners-up to Switzerland during the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Although the Danes lost by two-goal margins to Belgium in both Nations League games, they took four points off England and they have made a dream start to World Cup qualifying, winning 2-0, 8-0 and 4-0 against Israel, Moldova and Austria respectively.
Inter Milan midfielder Christian Eriksen remains the focal point of the team and his five goals played a big part in Denmark reaching the finals.
Finland
Coach: Markku Kanerva
Key player: Teemu Pukki
Finland are competing at a major tournament for the first time in their history and are 250/1 underdogs to spring what would be the greatest shock of all time by winning the tournament.
The Finns finished runners-up to Italy in qualifying, four points clear of third-placed Greece, but their recent form has been patchy, failing to win a Nations League group comprising Wales, Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria.
Draws against Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup qualifying were respectable enough to suggest they can compete against Denmark and Russia but they will need Norwich striker Pukki to bring his scoring boots although he sustained ankle lgament damage at the end of the season and has only just recovered.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
