ENGLAND

GROUP: C

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jude Bellingham

EXPECTED FINISH: Semi-finals

England Fixtures

We start our England Euros betting guide by examining their fixtures.

The Three Lions are comprehensive favourites to qualify from Group C and are one of the favourites to go the whole way. The 2020 finalists were a few penalties from finally bringing it home in the previous championship but a familiar feeling of spot-kick heartbreak against Italy means the wait for a major international trophy goes on.

They take on their 2020 semi-final opponents Denmark – as well as Serbia and Slovenia – in what should be a straightforward route out of the group. Of those sides, Denmark represent the obvious threat. They have a healthy blend of experience and talent; Manchester United frontman Rasmus Hojlund has pace to burn and plenty of strength, Mikkel Damsgaard famously scored a free kick against England in the last Euros and has been in good form for Brentford this campaign while Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Christian Eriksen have enough experience in the bank to guide youngsters through the storm.

Even if England drop points to their Nordic rivals, they should have more than enough to overcome Serbia and Slovenia.

• England vs Serbia: 16th June (Arena AufSchalke)
• England vs Denmark: 20th June (Frankfurt Arena)
• England vs Slovenia: 25th June (Cologne Stadium)

Winning the group will mean England face the third-place finisher in Group D, E or F. While it would be preferential – from the Three Lions' point of view – to avoid any of the big names in the round of 16, some of the potential names they could face do look like banana skins.

For example, they could face a dynamic and unpredictable Austria (Group C) side under the tutelage of Ralf Rangnick or a dangerous Turkey (Group F) team that many had as the dark horses before the 2022 World Cup.

Standings

Key players

Most England fans agree that this is the most exciting and talented team in a generation; a group of players entering into the peak of their careers, or are already there. Here are the key quartet:

Jude Bellingham

Caps (goals): 29 (3)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Real Madrid

With a league title, a Champions League final and a Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year, Bellingham’s debut season at Los Blancos could not have gone better.

The Madridstas love him and he is putting some impressive stats together, with more than 30 goal contributions. However, he plays as a false nine in Spain whereas for England we will be utilised in a deeper position. Expect him to have the freedom of the grass to get up and back; expect surging runs and twinkle-toed dribbling; expect killer passes and dominating headers.

England really does expect. Will Bellingham deliver?

Harry Kane

Caps (goals): 89 (62)

Position: Forward

Club: Bayern Munich

England's all-time record goalscorer has had another record-breaking season – this time in Germany. He has set a new milestone for the most goals in a Bundesliga debut campaign while breaking his own record goal return in a domestic season.

Unquestionably one of his country’s greatest-ever strikers, Kane captains the team and an international trophy would cement his status in England football folklore.

He could be one to look out for to finish as tournament top scorer – he is, at the time of writing, 11/2 with BetMGM to finish with the most goals.

Phil Foden

Caps (goals): 33 (4)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Manchester City

It’s tricky to call this campaign a breakthrough one for Foden, given that it feels like he has been around for ages, but there’s no doubting the tricky, wiry midfielder has opened up some eyes this season.

He has returned his best-ever goal output for the Citizens by reaching 25 for the season and is quite simply in electric form. He will prove a vital support act for the rest of his team-mates in the England forward areas.

Declan Rice

Caps (goals): 50 (3)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Arsenal

What a difference the ex-West Ham player has made to the Gunners. A stalwart in the middle of the park, he is an expert at breaking up play, making surging runs from deep and is good for a set-piece or two.

When last season Arsenal fell away at the end of the campaign, the addition of Rice has provided some much-needed steel and resilience to the middle of the park. The same will be required of him in this tournament. He will be doing the dirty work – don’t underestimate the value of that.

Previous performances in the Euros

For the first time in the tournament’s history, England made the final in 2021. Their overall record in this competition is average at best though. They have never won it and, prior to the previous tournament, the furthest they got was the semi-finals in 1996. Not since 1966 have the Three Lions tasted international glory but BetMGM has them as pre-tournament favourites to change that fact this time around.

England’s previous performances in the Euros over the years in full:

• 1960: Did not enter
• 1964: Did not qualify
• 1968: Third place
• 1972: Did not qualify
• 1976: Did not qualify
• 1980: Group stage (third in Group 2)
• 1984: Did not qualify
• 1988: Group stage (fourth in Group 2)
• 1992: Group stage (fourth in Group 1)
• 1996: Semi-finals (lost to Germany on penalties)
• 2000: Group stage (third in Group A)
• 2004: Quarter-final (lost to Portugal on penalties)
• 2008: Did not qualify
• 2012: Quarter-finals (lost to Italy on penalties)
• 2016: Round of 16 (lost 2-1 to Iceland)
• 2020: Final (lost to Italy on penalties)

Expectations

They are among the favourites but some recent performances in the run-up to the tournament are cause for concern. They lost 1-0 to an inexperienced Brazilian outfit and only managed to draw with Belgium. There are legitimate concerns at left-back, a position that used to be considered a strength for England, while you could also argue they lack depth throughout the squad.

Yet it would be fitting to see Gareth Southgate, the man who missed a penalty in the 1996 semi-final defeat to Germany, make amends in Germany by leading his charges to a first international trophy in 58 years. It’s likely going to be Southgate’s last tournament as England boss – can he go out with a bang?

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change