Euro 2020 Odds: Group B Tips, Odds & Predictions

Roberto Martinez’s Belgium side will have been delighted when they managed to avoid the big hitters like France, Portugal, Netherlands and Croatia who were in lower pots in the group stage drawback in November. Instead, being paired against slightly awkward opponents in Denmark and Russia, and competition debutants Finland looks like an easier passage on paper.

The world’s number one ranked side showed their class in qualifying, winning ten out of ten, doing the double over their upcoming Group B opponents Russia in the process. A defeat at Wembley was also the only blemish on a near-perfect record in the Nations League last autumn.

Despite having a defence that leaves a lot to be desired, an abundance of riches in attack including the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Dries Mertens, Yannick Carrasco and the Hazard brothers know they need to improve on semi-final and quarter-final exits from the previous two major tournaments.

Martinez showed during his time in England that he was a cup specialist, leading Wigan Athletic to a first-ever FA Cup, as well as leading Everton to two cup semis in 2016, this may be his last chance to prove it on the international stage, progression from the groups should be light work though.

The Red Devils are 4/6 to win the group, and it should be nothing but that.

Denmark and Russia are the most likely sides to challenge Belgian domination of Group B, and the two nations could have joined them in the semi-finals of the last World Cup had they both not succumb to Croatia on penalties after 2-2 draws.

Russia made it further in 2018 in front of their own supporters, but much has changed since then. The hero from their shootout win against Spain, Igor Akinfeev has retired, and the surprise star of the competition, Denis Cheryshev has just suffered a goalless season with struggling Valencia in La Liga. Artem Dzyuba has had an excellent season with Zenit St. Petersburg on the other hand, and two of Russia’s fixtures will be at Zenit’s home stadium.

Despite not providing stellar performances in qualification for Euro 2020, Denmark showed England how much of a tricky side they are to play against in the Nations League last year. A goalless draw in Denmark followed by a 1-0 win for the Danes at Wembley emphasises what they are all about. Their three World Cup qualifiers in March also proved they are an attacking threat too, recording three wins with three clean sheets and 14 goals scored against Israel, Moldova and Austria. Their only two competitive defeats since the last major tournament both came against Belgium, however.

A Belgium-Denmark one-two is 2/1, but Denmark are fancied by quite a few to be dark horses, and it is 9/2 for them to just pip Belgium in first place.

Russia and their manager Stanislav Cherchesov were completely written off before a ball was kicked in their homeland three years ago, but a 5-0 hammering of Saudi Arabia in the tournament curtain-raiser set them on their way to an unbelievable run to the quarter-finals and had it not been for a woeful pair of penalties from Fedor Smolov and Mario Fernandes they could have faced England for a place in the final.

While the team now has a place in the hearts of the supporters, not much is expected of them but the poor form they come into the tournament with is reminiscent of three years ago. It would be a big shock, but home advantage in their first two games might help greatly, Russia to win the group is priced at 9/2.

The fairytale story of the group though, would undoubtedly be if debutants Finland make their way into the Last 16, and considering that four of the six third placed sides make it through, the task does not sound as daunting as it seems.

Star man Teemu Pukki is definitely in better shape after firing Norwich City to promotion this season, compared to his drop off in goalscoring form as they limped to relegation last summer, and just one defeat in their last seven competitive games shows they are tough nut to crack, with Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky usually protected by a solid back five. Finland to qualify from Group B is 2/1 with Sky Bet.

The opening match in the group between Denmark and Finland will tell us whether Kasper Hjulmand’s Danes are capable of taking the competition by storm as they chase just a second group stage progression since winning the competition in 1992, and whether the Finnish debutants are here to make up the numbers, or here to seriously compete with the best. Denmark are favourites at 1/2 but a low-scoring affair is likely here, as under 2.5 goals is priced at 8/11.

A Denmark double chance against the Belgians is probably the best bet you can make against the group favourites who are big favourites for every group match. The Danes are 11/10 to take points off Martinez’s men and this would set up a very interesting clash between Denmark and Russia in the final group game.

The fact Russia are unfancied is proved by their odds of 3/1 for the match, who, barring a disastrous opening two games, should have a lot to play for in their only game away from home.