As Euro 2024 gets set for kickoff Friday, a number of notable sportsbooks have unveiled some insights into how the public is making their picks ahead of the tourney, with some familiar faces expected to be in the running for hardware.
England and France are both the most significant favorites for the tournament, according to BetMGM and bet365, clocking in at +350 and +400, respectively, at each retailer.
“England are still being heavily supported despite the blip against Iceland (a 1-0 loss last Friday) in what feels very much like now or never under Gareth Southgate,” bet365’s Steve Freeth said via release.
Consequently, given their spots atop the early favorites leaderboard, it’s perhaps no surprise that the two soccer powerhouses are leading the pack when it comes to ticket percentage and handle percentage, according to BetMGM. France clocks in at 18.8% of the ticket percentage, according to the sportsbook, with England trading just behind them at 16.3%.
As far as the big bucks, however, bettors appear to be favoring The Three Lions, with more than a quarter of the handle – 28.6% to be precise – backing England to take home their first major trophy since 1966.
Real Madrid latest star expected to sparkle
Perhaps unsurprisingly, soccer’s next generational star, Kylian Mbappe, has also headlined much of the lead-up to Euro 2024. Mbappe, fresh off inking a long-rumored deal to leave PSG and sign with Real Madrid, is currently tied with England’s Harry Kane as the favorite to finish as top goalscorer at BetMGM.
Bettors seem to agree with the sentiment given the 2022 Golden Boot winner’s penchant for tickling twine. At 31.6% of the tickets – twice that of the second highest – and 30.8% of the handle, there’s little doubt the Parisian will be a key part of any successful tournament for France.
"It's going to be an amazing experience, for sure … I really want to win this," Mbappé said in a recent interview with CNN Sports about the Euros. "It's my first competition as captain, so it's really important for me, and it's always important for the country, and we want them to be proud of us."
That competitive fire is sure to give bettors confidence, and no doubt will be something retailers keep an eye out for.
“Mbappe took the goalscoring honors at the World Cup and we’ll be more than happy if he continues his record of not scoring at a European Championship, having taken double the amount of bets on him than Harry Kane,” bet365’s Freeth also noted
Portugal a potential problem
While not considered a favorite in the tournament, one nation that could cause chaos on a number of fronts is the 2016 winners in Portugal. With their lines already moving from +700 at opening to +650 ahead of kickoff, Portugal ranks as the third largest handle among competing nations at 15% at BetMGM.
Combined with the sixth largest ticket percentage on aging superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to finish at top goalscorer, according to BetMGM, as a 19.9% handle on midfielder Bruno Fernandes at bet365 to finish with the most assists, there’s little wonder why they’re considered to be amongst the largest potential liabilities.
“There are many expecting good things from Portugal,” Freeth said. “While the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo has been supported for top goalscorer, it’s Bruno Fernandes who’s being punted at various prices to score, assist, and walk away with the Player of the Tournament award.”
Euro 2024 kicks off Friday as host Germany begins Group A play in a showdown with Scotland before the games get rolling in earnest this upcoming weekend.
