UEFA EURO 2024: Tournament Layout, Group Preview & Betting Odds

It seems like less than 4 years ago we were enjoying the UEFA EURO 2020, where Italy took down England in PKs to win the Title. And it would seem that way because it was just 3 short years ago! Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, the EUROs were suspended that year and postponed to the following year. Thus we had the Azzuri take down the Three Lions in EURO 2020, that actually took place in 2021.

Nevertheless, the European Tournament is back once again with 24 teams trying to be claimed King of the Continent. Germany is playing host this year, with all matches taking place in ten cities around the country. This article will serve as your guide for everything you need to know about UEFA EURO 2024. We will provide all of the following in this piece.

• Tournament Layout
• Group Previews
• Betting Odds
• And Much More!

Let’s get right into it!

UEFA EURO 2024 Betting Guide

UEFA EURO 2024 Tournament Layout

There are 24 teams in the EURO 2024 divided into six groups of four teams. The tournament begins with 3 games of group stage play amongst the other teams in your quad. These 3 games are all 90 minutes long no matter the outcome. Teams are rewarded 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and none for a loss. After all matches of group stage are completed, the Top 16 teams advance to the Round of 16, and thus the knockout round.

Who Makes the Round of 16?

The Top 16 teams from Group Stage advance to the Knockout Round. This includes the Group Winner and Group Runner-Up from all six groups. Now, obviously this only adds up to 12 of 16 teams, so the Top 4 3rd place teams will also qualify for the next round. The 3rd place teams will be decided by the following criteria.

• Higher number of points
• Goal differential
• Goals scored
• Higher number of wins

The Round of 16 and following rounds will consist of single elimination matches. If the score is level after 90 minutes, in typical soccer fashion, there will be two 15 minute periods of extra time, following by a penalty shootout if necessary.

In standard bracket form, the winners move on until there is only one team standing.

UEFA EURO 2024 Group Preview

This year’s tournament features all of the usual suspects for the most part, and we have some very interesting group draws as well.

Group of Death

My eye is immediately drawn to Group B, no doubt this tournament’s Group of Death. Despite Albania ranking 66th in the World and 2nd the last amongst teams in the UEFA EURO 2024, the other three teams in the group are all Top 10 in the FIFA World Rankings. Spain ranks 8th, followed by defending EURO Champion Italy, and Croatia next at 10th.

You’ve got the defending Champs, mixed with a recent World Cup Runner-Up who are proving they aren’t passed their golden generation, followed by a powerhouse that is filled with a bunch of young studs ready to make their international mark. All eyes will be on Group B, and I suspect all 3 of those teams find a way into the knockout stage.

Group Previews

Back tracking to Group A, this group has 3 Top 25 teams and all 4 in the Top 40. The hosts will certainly have no easy path into the next round. Germany plays with Hungary, Switzerland and Scotland.

The defending EURO Runner-Ups have a slightly easier path out of Group Stage. England ranks 4th in the World and they were paired with Denmark (21), Serbia (33) and Slovenia (57). Anything less than sweeping the group would be a mediocre showing from this team who is the overall favorite to win the tournament.

Group D features two Top 10 teams in France (2) and the Netherlands (7). Austria (25) and Poland (28) round out the group, giving the two Goliath’s a simpler opening stage. All eyes are on Kylian Mbappe as he suits up for France, but no longer plays for PSG as he made his transfer to the UCL Champions, Real Madrid, this summer.

Third ranked Belgium also have an easy way into the knockout stage, as the Top 5 team is paired with 22nd ranked Ukraine, and Romania and Slovakia, who rank 46th and 48th. Romelu Lukaku leads the Belgians in the quest for a European trophy before his international career is over. He scored 14 goals in 8 appearances in qualifying breaking a record for goals scored by a player in a EURO Qualifying campaign.

Lastly, we have Group F. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal should have no trouble handing business in the group stage. They rank 6th in the world, and drew the Czech Republic (36), Turkey (40) and the lowest ranked team in the tournament, Georgia (75). Portugal should easily sweep the group stage and advance with ease.

UEFA EURO 2024 Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada.

EURO 2024 Outright Winner

• England +300
• France +400
• Germany +500
• Portugal +800
• Spain +850
• Italy +1400
• Netherlands +1800
• Belgium +2000
• Croatia +4500
• Denmark +6500

These are the Top 10 teams listed, and there’s quite the drop off after that. Belgium is the 8th favorite to win, despite being the 2nd highest ranked team in the tournament and 3rd in the World, leading me to believe Vegas does not have faith that their golden generation is still around.

There are 4 teams all listed next at 80-1, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland and Turkey. After that, Scotland, Serbia and Ukraine are all priced at 100-1. The Czech Republic and Poland are both at 150-1, Romania at 200-1, and Albania, Slovakia, and Slovenia all listed at 250-1. Last but not least, Georgia rounds us out at 500-1 odds to win the UEFA EURO 2024.

Personally I think these definitely stays within the Top 10 teams, and more likely the Top 8. I will not be taking any futures, however I may start to dabble when Group Stage is over and the bracket is set. My early favorites?

England at 3-1 but see no value currently (Revenge Narrative), Spain at +850 as I think the kids could set the tourney on fire, and the Netherlands at 18-1 (Homer Pick, Grandparents both born and raised in Holland).

Tail with caution and enjoy the tournament!

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