Belgium impressed with a first-place finish in UEFA Euro qualifying but faces a huge challenge as it opens Euro 2016 as a slim even-money favourite to claim first place on the Group E table at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
The Belgians endured over a decade in the wilderness, failing to qualify for either the Euro or the FIFA World Cup between 2002 and 2014, but have since emerged as a force in international soccer entering Monday afternoon’s Belgium vs. Italy Group E matchup at Parc Olympique Lyonnais, perched at No. 2 on the FIFA World Rankings.
Les Diables Rouges powered to a 7-2-1 record in Euro qualifying but encountered limited opposition in a group that included Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Cyprus, and Andorra.
Things will be decidedly more challenging for them in Group E, which features Ireland and Sweden in addition to 2012 Euro finalists Italy. Gli Azzurid has a lot to prove following a dismal group stage finish at the 2014 World Cup, and closely trails Belgium on the Euro 2016 group stage odds at +155.
Italy finished atop their Euro qualifying group with a 7-3-0 record, and posted a pair of clean sheet wins over Scotland and Finland in pre-tournament friendlies, but has failed to beat a top-tier opponent since knocking off the Netherlands 2-0 in a friendly almost two years ago.
Sweden needed a playoff to clinch a berth at the Euro, and will need a big performance from aging star Zlatan Ibrahimovic if they are to pay out as a long +600 group stage bet.
Winless in three, Ireland sits as a +3300 longshot to win Group E but has risen to the occasion against top-notch opponents, posting 1-0 wins in recent clashes with Germany and Switzerland.
Elsewhere, optimism reigns among English fans as the Three Lions wrapped up Euro qualifying as the sole squad with a perfect 10-0-0 record. England is perched as -140 chalk to win Group B, but much will hinge on their Saturday date with Russia, who follow at +325.
Gareth Bale leads a Wales side that would like nothing better than to knock off the English squad, and sports +600 odds to win Group B, while Slovakia is an intriguing +900 longshot.
As well, two-time defending Euro champion Spain sends a younger squad to this year’s tournament, but remains -185 chalk in Group D betting. France plays host as a strong -375 favourite to win Group A, while defending World Cup champion Germany is -300 chalk to win Group C.
