2016 is here! It’s finally time to revisit the UEFA Euro 2016 odds. It’s going to be one steep soccer tournament considering some of the best teams in the world come from Europe. The past two winners of the World Cup will be there to contest the European crown as 2014 champion Germany and 2010 champion Spain join a very competitive field in France.
Let’s take a look at one of the best soccer tournaments in the world. If you’re looking to get into some soccer right away, then check out some club action in the Champions League with our complete previews for Gent vs. Wolfsburg and Roma vs. Real Madrid.
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The French could not ask for a better draw as they attempt to continue their success playing on their home soil. France won on home soil hosting the 1984 European Championship and again in the 1998 World Cup. They face what should be one of the easiest groups in Euro 2016. Their stiffest challenge would be Switzerland, but the Swiss don’t really have a quality player aside from Xherdan Shaqiri.
Some legal troubles with Mathieu Valbuena and Karim Benzema shed some doubts. But the presence of Olivier Giroud (45 caps and 13 goals) and 24-year-old forward Antoine Griezmann (24 caps and six goals) offer some balance of youth and experience. France are the biggest favorites to win Euro 2016 at +300.
Germany
Germany are the best in the world. They’ve proven that being the reigning World Cup champions. The Germans don’t have plenty of changes in their World Cup-winning squad. Miroslav Klöse, Per Mertesacker and Philipp Lahm already retired from international competition. But Germany still have plenty of young hot shots to take their places. Germany are +330 to win Euro 2016.
Thomas Müller won the Golden Boot in the 2010 World Cup, and has scored 31 goals on 68 caps. André Schürrle has 20 goals on 49 caps. Mario Götze booted the 2014 World Cup-winning goal in extra time and has 16 goals on 48 caps. All three players are under 27 years old and have plenty left in the tank. The likes of captain Bastian Schweinsteiger (114 caps) and Lukas Podolski (126 caps) offer some experience to this mostly young squad.
Spain
Spain won the 2010 World Cup, their first ever World Championship. They followed up that brilliant performance with a Euro 2012 title two years later. After a disappointing result in the 2014 World Cup—they missed the knockout phase—La Roja are ready to shake things up in international football.
Diego Costa remains one of the best strikers on the planet, but is yet to make a dent on the international stage. He has a goal on 10 caps for Spain. But he should have a solid outing with Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas right behind him in midfield. Speaking of midfield, Spain have plenty of talented midfielders with the likes of David Silva, Andrés Iniesta and Juan Mata available at their disposal.
La Roja are +550 to defend their UEFA Euro crowns.
Sleepers
Portugal
Portugal don’t have plenty of talent in their roster, which is why they failed to make the knockout stage in the 2014 World Cup. But they do have the only one that counts, one of the best football players on the planet, Cristiano Ronaldo. He is Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 55 goals in 123 caps. He’s also the all-time top scorer in UEFA Euro matches with six goals and the only player to score for Portugal in three different World Cups.
Having Ronaldo on the pitch should give Portugal a shot at winning Euro 2016 at +2,000.
Switzerland
Switzerland aren’t very deep when it comes to their quad. But they do have a very solid player, Xherdan Shaqiri powering their midfield. Shaqiri leads the Swiss with 17 goals, and he’s only 24 years old. Speaking of young players, 23-year-old forwards Josip Drmic and Haris Seferovic should give the Swiss plenty of energy. They play in one of the shallowest groups in the tournament and have every chance to make the knockout phase with a top two finish.
Hungary returns to the tournament after an absence of 44 years, last appearing at Euro 1972. They get one of the most manageable groups in the tournament, facing off against the likes of Portugal, Iceland and Austria. Hungary ranked third in the qualifying round, and won a playoff against Norway to make the tournament final.
The Hungarians have plenty of experience in their squad with the likes of captain Balázs Dzsudzsák and Tamás Priskin having upwards of 50 caps to their names. Each has 17 goals to their names. 36-year-old Zoltán Gera has 24 goals on 86 caps.
