Euro 2024 Predictions & Preview

We head on over to Europe now as we take a look at Euro 2024 predictions for the major international soccer tournament coming up this summer. With just over two years before the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, this is the biggest preparation for European teams before the global event.

Euro 2024 will take place in Germany for the 17th edition of the UEFA European Football Championship, playing out from June 14 to July 14. Italy are the reigning champions after they inflicted penalty shootout heartbreak on England at Euro 2020. 

We have also provided you with a preview of the major international soccer tournament happening in the Americas. Be sure to check out our 2024 Copa America Predictions & Preview!

Teams such as England, France and Germany are the pre-tournament favorites to win the competition at this stage. Will you be riding with one of the favorites? Or will you fade them? Below you can find everything you need before making your Euro 2024 predictions!

Euro 2024 Predictions & Preview

24 teams have completed their qualification for Euro 2024, and they will participate across a total of 10 venues in Germany this summer. As the host nation, Germany did not have to partake in any qualifying matches. However, the rest of the 23 nations all had to feature in the qualifying tournament. 

• When: June 14 – July 14
• Where: 10 venues across Germany 
• Who: 24 European nations 
• Defending Champions: Italy 

The final of Euro 2024 will be played on July 14 in Germany’s capital Berlin. The Olympiastadion will be the host venue for the final, and a capacity of up to 74,461 will be expected to be in attendance. 

Qualified Nations: 

Euro 2024 Qualification

As stated above, Germany did not have to go through qualification. However, the rest of the 23 teams all had to take part in the qualifying tournament. Before we take you through our Euro 2024 predictions, take a look at how all the teams reached the finals.

This will be the third edition of the European Championships that have seen a total of 24 teams compete. The 2016 edition was the first tournament that saw 24 teams enter the competition, extended from 16 teams at Euro 2012. 

There were a total of 10 qualifying groups which saw the top two ranked teams from each group achieve automatic qualification. The remaining three teams were determined by a set of playoff games. 

Firstly, here’s a list of qualifying group winners and runners-up who achieved Euro 2024 finals qualification: 

Group Winners: 

Group Runners-up:

Below you can see the final fixtures for the Euro 2024 qualifying playoffs: 

• Path A: Wales 0-0 Poland (A.ET) Poland win 5-4 on penalties
• Path B: Ukraine 2-1 Iceland 
• Path C: Georgia 0-0 Greece (A.E.T) Georgia win 4-2 on penalties

Playoff winners: 

• Poland
• Ukraine
• Georgia 

Tournament Format

We’ve established now which 24 European nations will be featuring at Euro 2024 and how they got there. Before we dive into our Euro 2024 predictions, let’s find out how the tournament works. 

The 24 teams have been drawn into six separate groups of four. The teams were seeded into four separate pots before being drawn into their groups. Here’s a list of all the groups at Euro 2024: 

• Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
• Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
• Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England 
• Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France
• Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
• Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic

Each team will play every other team in their respective group once in order to determine the standings. The top two ranked teams from each group will achieve automatic qualification into the Round of 16. 

However, some teams who finish in third-place may be able to achieve a spot in the knockout rounds. The top four ranked third-placed teams will advance into the Round of 16 as well. That is to make up the total of 16 – 12 group winners and runners-up, followed by the additional four best third-placed nations. 

Knockout Rounds

There will be a total of eight Round of 16 matches set to take place. Each group winner will square off against either one of the other group runners-up or one of the best third-placed teams. 

The knockout rounds work as any other normal knockout tournament. If you lose in your Round of 16 tie, then you are out of the competition. If a match is level after 90 minutes, the two teams will then play a further 30 minutes of extra time (two halves of 15). If the scores are still level after 120 minutes, the winner will be determined via a penalty shootout. 

Teams will be fighting to advance into the quarter-finals, semi-finals and then the final. The final of Euro 2024 will be played at Olympiastadion, Berlin on Sunday, July 14 2024. 

Venues

A total of 10 different venues have been selected for use at Euro 2024. Nine of which were used the last time that Germany hosted a major international tournament – the 2006 World Cup. 

A minimum stadium capacity of 30,000 was set by UEFA for stadiums to host matches at Euro 2024. However, Germany already has a plethora of high-quality stadiums located across the country. These stadiums are used for its top domestic league the Bundesliga, and many have had a history of hosting international soccer matches in the past. 

Below you can find a full list of all of the stadiums in use at Euro 2024: 

Venues have been located across all different regions of Germany. That has seen five stadiums used in the West, one in the North, two in the East and two in the South. 

Teams participating at Euro 2024 will also be primarily based at their own respective base camps for the tournament. All of these base camps are located across Germany. 

Euro 2024 Outright Odds

We need to analyze the pre-tournament outright odds for teams to win the competition before we take a look at our Euro 2024 predictions. Early wagers on Euro 2024 could give bettors some excellent value. Being able to identify a strong contender early on can give bettors the best odds. Check out the full list of odds for the outright winner below: 

Euro 2020 finalists England are the current tournament favorites priced at +280, and Gareth Southgate has managed to lead the Three Lions to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. England also made the final of Euro 2020. England has a host of elite talent spread throughout the side, with names such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka leading the charge. Will they finally be able to end their 58-year wait for a major international trophy in Germany this summer? 

Priced at +300 to win the tournament, France are another team who will be popular amongst Euro 2024 predictions. They have managed to reach the final of three of the last four major international tournaments, being crowned champions at the 2018 World Cup. Like England, Les Bleus have a number of elite players throughout their squad and are expected to be a huge threat under their long-term boss Didier Deschamps once again. 

Reigning champions Italy may be offering some good value when it comes to Euro 2024 predictions. That is because they have only been listed as the sixth-most likely team to win the tournament (+1150). Italy can be hit and miss when it comes to international soccer, and have even failed to qualify for the finals of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Nevertheless, under Luciano Spalletti, the Azzurri should be another feared nation that knows how to win on the big stage. 

Previous Euro Winners

When trying to identify a good pick for Euro 2024 predictions, it is always good to analyze the previous tournament winners. Those with a history of success at the elite stage can often replicate that success. Here is a list of the last ten Euro winners: 

It has been some time since France won the Euros, last doing so in 2000. Back then, they had an even better squad to choose from, but the fierce competition across Europe proves just how difficult the tournament is to win. Even with the largely talented squads that they have had in recent times, ones good enough to reach successive World Cup finals, Les Bleus haven’t won the Euros in almost 25 years. 

Tournament football can often throw up many surprises, and France failed to get past the round of 16 at Euro 2020. They were knocked out by Switzerland on penalties after drawing 3-3 after extra time. 

With four years having passed between each tournament, a lot can change to the players at each nation’s disposal. Therefore, past winners’ prospects need to be taken with a pinch of salt. For example, Italy have had star defender Giorgio Chiellini retire since they won Euro 2020. Therefore, that could make a big impact on their chances this time around. 

Euro 2024 Predictions: Top Contenders 

So, which teams do we recommend to ride with and which teams do we recommend to fade when it comes to Euro 2024 predictions? 

I will be sharing with you my top recommendations below as we continue to preview Euro 2024. England and France are the top two contenders at this stage, and it makes sense considering their recent tournament success and the strengths of their respective squads. 

Home advantage has played a role in Germany being listed as third favorites for Euro 2024. They will be able to have the majority of their own fans in attendance, whilst they also have the advantage of being used to playing at the different venues. 

However, home advantage has not necessarily counted for much when it comes to trying to identify a winner. The last time a host nation went on to win the tournament was 1984 when France did so. 

Are Turkey dark horses? 

Looking at the qualification can be a good place to start when trying to find longer-odds contenders. Teams that are entering the tournament with good momentum stand a good chance at success. Priced at +4500, Turkey could be showing some excellent value. 

Turkey qualified for the tournament after winning Group D during the qualifiers. They managed to come out on top of a group that contained Croatia as well. Croatia have been very successful in recent major tournaments, proving that Turkey has a good chance here. 

The Crescent-Stars suffered just one defeat through qualification, and managed to beat Croatia away from home last October. They haven’t managed to get past the group stage at any of their last two attempts at the Euros, but their semi-final finish in 2008 proves that they have gone far before. 

Spain are always a threat 

The glory years of Spain and their golden generation between 2008 and 2012 may be long gone. However, La Roja will always boast a talented squad of soccer players capable of performing on the elite stage. Their pre-tournament odds of +700 could be showing a lot better value than the favorites when it comes to Euro 2024 predictions.

As always after a golden generation, there is bound to be a drop off. What goes up, must come down. However, Spain is starting to improve once again. After failing to get past the group stage at the 2014 World Cup, they have reached the Round of 16 in the two editions since. Euro 2020 also proved they can go far in tournament football as they got to the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual champions Italy on penalties. 

Head coach Luis de la Fuente managed to guide Spain to a Nations League triumph for 2022-23, proving that they are on the rise once more. Their elite midfield featuring the likes of Rodri, Pedri and Gavi could be the difference at Euro 2024. 

The Red Devils are back

Belgium failed to make the most out of their so-called ‘golden generation’. They managed to reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but underwhelmed at Euro 2020 (knocked out of quarter-finals) and failed to get past the groups at the 2022 World Cup. 

Now with a new head coach in Domenico Tedesco, Belgium look to make up for their past heartache. They eased into Euro 2024 by topping Group F in qualification, going unbeaten across their eight matches. Their recent 2-2 draw against England at Wembley Stadium proves they are no pushovers. 

With Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku in the squad, the Red Devils still boast a talented roster, one that will be under less pressure this time around at Euro 2024. Priced at +1150, I believe they are a good value pick for the outright winner, especially with a favorable group containing Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine. 

Euro 2024 Predictions: Teams To Fade

Outside of the obvious contenders in England and France, above I have identified three additional teams that you should follow when it comes to Euro 2024 predictions. 

We still have some time before the start of the competition, so make sure that you are continuing to note the latest results and trends before trying to identify potential contenders. Equally, the announcements of the squads before the tournament will make a big impact on the prices of the outright tournament winners. 

Next up, I have identified a further three teams that you should consider fading for your Euro 2024 predictions. 

Ronaldo will hinder Portugal 

Euro 2016 winners Portugal are yet another one of the heavyweight European nations that always seem to impress at major international tournaments. Despite being aged 39-years-old, global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is set to feature once again for Portugal this summer. 

Ronaldo is far from his best these days, however, and, although he continues to score for his club team Al-Nassr, his impact at a higher level has started to dwindle. He still managed to score ten goals in nine appearances for Portugal in 2023, but that largely came against weaker opposition in qualifiers and friendlies. 

The star forward’s lack of work rate has limited his respective teams of late, and he was even dropped by head coach Fernando Santos as Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. If Ronaldo does play, he will hinder Portugal. I recommend fading them for Euro 2024 predictions as their price of +700 is not offering the best value.

Croatia aren’t as strong as they once were

A team that has considerably impressed on the big stage in recent times is Croatia who reached back-to-back World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and 2022. They even managed to reach the final in 2018 before losing to France. 

A midfield trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic has been the highlight, but all three are starting to age and are far past their primes. Finishing in second-place in qualification, losing to Turkey and Wales, the Vatreni are not as strong as they have been in recent times. 

Zlatko Dalic will have to lead his side in a tough group that also contains Italy and Spain. Those two nations have strong squads, and everybody will still be riding the Croatia hype train. I recommend fading them this time around due to their aging stars and lack of goals in the squad.

Germany are too short

As previously mentioned, tournament holders Germany will have the advantage of home support at Euro 2024. However, that means their value of +500 to win the tournament is not showing the best of value. Sure, we can see Die Mannschaft going far in the competition, but I don’t think they have enough to win it.

Tournament holders are also under a lot of pressure, and the German national team has been under harsh scrutiny in recent years following dismal displays in recent major tournaments. They failed to get past the group stage at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and only got as far as the Round of 16 at Euro 2020.

The Germans have a talented squad, including the likes of Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan. I am expecting a much-improved performance at Euro 2024, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they even reached the final. However, I think they are being overvalued at this stage considering they haven’t been at their best for some time. As a result, I recommend fading them here. This tournament just comes too soon for them.