The UEFA Euro 2016 is just about to get underway, which warrants a quick look at Europe’s premier international soccer tournament. Before we get ahead of ourselves and look at the entire picture, let’s check out what’s in store for a terrific Group E. Belgium and Italy each have their own paths to victory and won’t easily concede to their competition. But the likes of Sweden and the Republic of Ireland both offer solid opposition.
It’s going to be on hell of a group that will give us some explosive soccer action. Check out the neighboring groups with our previews for Groups D and F.
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Belgium are the favorites to win Group E with a squad filled to the brim with top-quality players. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are both coming off tremendous seasons in the English Premier League, while Eden Hazard is also on the roster despite a lackluster campaign.
It’s not just those three; the Belgians also have game-changing forwards like Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and Michy Batshuayi all in manager Marc Wilmots’ arsenal.
Italy could have been the favorites to win this group if not for injuries to Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio. But they still have a very good defense with the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini to keep them in games.
No one from this group can defend like the Azzurri, but they could struggle putting the ball in the net with their squad’s top five strikers combining for just 11 international goals.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Remember that name when Group E’s fixtures start coming into play. Ibrahimovic is Sweden’s special weapon. He was a goal-scoring machine last season with 53 goals in 50 appearances with PSG in club competition. The 34-year-old striker also scored 11 of Sweden’s 19 goals during qualifying. However, the Swedes don’t have much after Ibra, which is why they could struggle to make it out of the group stage.
The Republic of Ireland have an uphill battle to get out of Group E as +1,200 underdogs. But they do have some weapons that could cause a shocker or two. Midfielders James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan are solid with an ability to form a defensive base for the Irish. Meanwhile, legendary forward Robbie Keane with 67 goals in 143 caps could be a force as a substitute.
Writer’s Prediction
Belgium (+110) has all the tools to win Group E for a berth in the knockout stage.
