The UEFA Euro 2016 is coming, and with it the best international soccer action on the planet. It’s going to be one tough tournament with the likes of the past two World Cup winners Spain and Germany among the field of competitors. It gets even more crowded with host country France as well as the always dangerous Italy and England in the tournament.
Picking the favorites is no fun at all for some. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the best experts’ thoughts on the best sleeper to back in the upcoming Euro 2016. Read on and pick your dog. Looking for more underdogs to back in the upcoming tournament? Check out our Euro 2016 Sleeper Picks and Predictions.
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Experts Sleeper Picks and Predictions for the UEFA Euro 2016
Chronicle Live
Expert
Sleeper Pick
Stuart Jamieson
Iceland
Chris Waugh
Wales
Mark Douglas
Wales
Stuart Rayner
Austria
Stephen Brown
Poland
James Hunter
Poland
Among the experts over at Chronicle Live, only Wales and Poland received more than one pick as a sleeper in the upcoming Euro 2016.
Chris Waugh and Mark Douglas both picked Wales to be the surprise package out of Group B. The Dragons have a world-class player in the form of Gareth Bale to solidify their lineup. Their counter-attacking set-up is perfect for tournament soccer, especially later on in the knockout stage. Having Bale on midfield and Ashley Williams at the backline should lead the Welsh to a couple of upsets at Euro 2016. Wales are +165 to make the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, Stephen Brown and James Hunter are high on Poland to shake things up in Paris. Goal-scoring machine Robert Lewandowski makes the Poles very dangerous. He was the top scorer in qualifying with 13 goals and should continue to contribute plenty more in Euro 2016.
The Score
Expert
Sleeper Pick
Anthony Lopopolo
Poland
Anthony Lopopolo of The Score loves Poland as a sleeper in the upcoming Euro 2016. The Poles were expected to progress to the knockout stages as one of the host nations of Euro 2012, but disappointed as they fell flat. Their chances of making it past the group stage for the first time in history has taken a huge boost with Robert Lewandowski now one of the world’s premier strikers.
Lewandowski scored the most goals in qualifying (13) to lead Poland to the final tournament. Lewangoalski, as he is dubbed by fans, scored 30 Bundesliga goals—the most scored in Germany’s native premier soccer league. The dangerous striker will have plenty of help with 22-year-old Arkadiusz Milik emerging as another solid player, while Grzegorz Krychowiak strengthens the midfield.
Lopopolo has plenty of faith in Poland. He believes that the White Eagles have all the skill in the world to make a semifinal berth. Poland even beat almighty Germany (also their group mate in the final tournament) 2-0 in Euro qualifying. The sky’s the limit for the Poles. Poland are +350 to make the semifinals.
Soccerlens
Expert
Sleeper Picks
Saikat
Italy, England, Portugal, Belgium
Soccerlens has highlighted four dark horses that could shake up the upcoming Euro 2016. England, Portugal Italy and Belgium each have their own unique strengths and driving forces that could have them win the tournament.
England have come close twice, making the semifinals in 1968 and 1996. But this current group hasn’t enjoyed much success in recent editions of tournament. The Three Lions still have some world-class strikers who could shake up the tournament. Wayne Rooney can always go off for big performances, while Harry Kane should be a solid addition to the attack after scoring 25 goals in the Premier League this season. England are +800 to win Euro 2016.
Portugal aren’t deep, but they do have one of the best players in the world Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese’s tournament run will depend almost entirely on how Ronaldo performs in the tournament. He’s one of the best goal-scorers in the world with over 40 goals in his last six seasons for Spanish club Real Madrid. The Real Madrid star is +1,000 to become the Player of the Tournament.
Italy last won the UEFA Euro tournament in 1968 and lost in the 2000 and 2012 finals. They’ll have an excellent shot at making another strong run to the title with the great Gianluigi Buffon in goal. At 38, Buffon is still one of the best players at his position. He was outstanding once again for Juventus in Serie A in the 2015-16 season. He’ll have some help from Lorenzo Insigne, who scored 12 goals and assisted in 10 more this season for Italian club Napoli.
Finally, Belgium are overflowing with talent with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku on the team. de Bryune impressed at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and should continue to make a big impression this time around. Lukaku, meanwhile, is coming off an outstanding campaign for English club Everton, in which he scored 25 goals across all competitions. Italy and Belgium are EVEN to clinch the top two spots in Group E.
