The Euro 2016 draw was very kind for host nation France. Les Bleus will be the big favorites in a very winnable Group A which includes Switzerland, Romania, and Albania. Which of those three countries will join the hosts in the knockout round? Let’s break down all four teams and check out their odds to win the group, as well as other odds for the tournament.
Meanwhile, check out our previews for the other five groups: Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F
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UEFA Euro 2016 Group A Preview
Favorite
France (-300)
The defense will be the team’s biggest question mark, especially with injuries to Raphael Varane and Jeremy Mathieu, but that weakness shouldn’t be too big of an issue in a group with so few attacking threats.
Sleeper
Switzerland (+375)
On paper, only the Swiss have the quality in their squad to mount a serious challenge to France in Group A. Full-backs Stephan Lichtsteiner and Ricardo Rodriguez are excellent in supporting the attack; Granit Xhaka and Valon Behrami offer steel in midfield; and Xherdan Shaqiri provides that little bit of quality in attack.
If they can somehow avoid losing to the hosts in their matchup and take care of business in their other two games, their +375 odds to top Group A will have a good chance of paying off.
Long Shots
Romania (+800)
Romania had the meanest defense during qualifying, conceding just two goals in 10 games. But they also had one of the more toothless attacks with only 11 goals. The Romanians will be incredibly lucky if they concede just two goals in their two games against group favorites France and Switzerland, who will likely spend most of the 90 minutes bearing down on Romania’s goal.
Picking up all three points against Albania is a real possibility, though, as is the possibility of Romania’s -150 odds to qualify for the round of 16 paying off.
Albania (+2,500)
For Albania, avoiding a last-place finish in Group A would be deemed a huge success. Unfortunately, the odds are against the European minnows, who are -138 favorites to bring up the rear.
The Albanians will do their best to frustrate all three group opponents, and they’ve shown the improved defensive organization to do just that. They conceded just five goals during qualifying. But at some point, they’re resistance is bound to break, and the floodgates could end up opening and overwhelming them in France.
Writer’s Prediction
- France
- Switzerland
- Romania
- Albania
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