Euro 2020 predictions and betting tips: Lukaku player of tournament, France and Belgium best bet to lift trophy
EURO 2020 is well underway and we’ve reached the business end of the competition.
There have been no major casualties in the group stages, with all the big hitters making it through to the last-16.
There’s a whole host of betting opportunities to be had this summer – and SunSport are on hand to find you the best.
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Tournament winners
With all the big guns intact, expect the remainder of the tournament to grab you by the throat and keep you stuck to the sofa.
It’s tough to split the top five in the market, with France, England, Germany Italy and Spain the front-runners.
And that’s before we even get onto Belgium.
We’re not going to deter you from a patriotic punt on England (11/2), with the Three Lions – for the most part – playing on home soil throughout.
This could prove a huge advantage as Wembley is such a fortress for Southgate‘s side, with just two defeats there since 2014.
Germany are next up at the Home of Football and if the Three Lions can negotiate that clash, they are on the right side of the draw to have a real run to the final.
But we feel this youthful England side is a couple of years too early to end all those years of hurt – and therefore our pick for overall winner are reigning world champions France (7/2).
The overall depth of their squad if phenomenal, with a spine of world-class players all peaking at the right time.
They are there to be shot at as the world champs, but Didier Deschamps has a wealth of talent at his disposal and has the added bonus of bringing back Karim Benzema from the cold.
Despite being workmanlike in the group stages, they’re safely through as group winners and know how to turn it on when they need to.
Ante-post they were a terrific price at 5/1, mainly due to having Germany and Portugal in a tricky group.
Their price has now gone into 7/2 after topping the group – so don’t miss out before it shortens again.
Top goalscorer
Harry Kane was deservedly the antepost front-runner in this market.
The 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner was the top scorer in this season’s Premier League with 23 goals.
In international competition, a tie in the goalscorer standings are decided by the amount of assists a player has.
But he’s failed to fire in either of the opening three matches, drawing a blank against Scotland, Croatia and Czech Republic.
If you’re looking for longer value, France’s returning veteran Benzema is a terrific bet.
Back on the international scene for the first time in five years, the Madrid forward finished second to Messi in the LaLiga scoring charts this season.
France are sure to go far and Benzema will line-up alongside Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
Priced up at 20/1 before hitting a brace against Portugal, the forward is still a wonderful 12/1 to top the scoring charts.
He’s on penalty duty and with whistle-happy referees abound could be the sleeper selection in the market.
Player of the tournament
Is this tournament finally the time for Belgium to fulfill their potential?
Beaten semi-finalists in the World Cup three years ago, the Red Devils have the market leader for player of the tournament in their ranks.
Value is the name of the game and Belgium have cruised through the group stages after seeing off Russia, Denmark and Finland with minimal fuss.
And they will continue to look to former Man Utd and Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku to keep supplying the goals.
The 28-year-old striker has been a revelation for Inter Milan since heading to Italy, netting over 60 times in two seasons.
Originally available at a whopping 20/1, he’s a real value bet in this market after smashing in three group stage goals (now 9/1).
Highest scoring team
There’s attacking talent all over the pitch for Belgium and we’re more than happy for you to have a play on them to be the highest scoring team at 5/1.
But we’re going to be siding with France again here.
Their attacking options are phenomenal and 8/1 on them being top scorers looks long – especially as we’re backing them to go all the way to the final and lift the trophy.
Deschamps men plundered 25 goals in 10 qualifying games, taking their foot off the gas in the later rounds.
With Giroud, Benzema, Coman, Lemar, Ben Yedder, Griezmann and Mbappe all vying for spots, there’s goals galore in this team.
After meandering through the groups, expect them to turn on the magic now the tournament is properly underway – and grab that price before it goes.
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