The UEFA European Championship group stage saw relatively smooth sailing for the tournament’s betting favorites. France, the 2018 World Cup champions and 2022 finalists, emerged as the team with the most tickets at various sportsbooks, including ESPN BET, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Despite the significant support for Les Bleus, their odds have actually lengthened from the beginning of the competition. This change can be attributed to Austria’s surprising win in Group D, which saw them move from 100-1 to 20-1 odds to win Euro 2024.
England, the pre-tournament favorites, have seen their odds shift slightly from +350 to +325. While they have generated a substantial amount of money at ESPN BET and FanDuel, the Three Lions have remained relatively quiet in the futures market. However, they have been a popular choice for bettors on a game-by-game basis, drawing significant attention and money with each match.
One of the standout performers of the group stage has been Spain, the only team in the tournament to achieve three wins after three matchdays. This impressive performance has seen their odds jump from +700 to +450, making them the second-favorite behind England. Despite their success, Spain has not received as much attention from bettors compared to other teams, ranking fifth in futures by bets and handle at ESPN BET.
In the race for the Golden Boot, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane remain the top favorites to win the award. However, both players have seen their odds lengthen as they have each scored only one goal so far in the tournament. Surprisingly, Georges Mikautadze, the current leader in goals scored, was not even included on most odds boards at the start of the competition. His Cinderella run with Georgia to the Round of 16 has put him in contention for the Golden Boot, with odds at 12-1.
Aside from the usual favorites, emerging stars like Niclas Füllkrug and Jamal Musiala have been making waves in the betting landscape. Füllkrug, from Germany, has climbed the odds boards and scored two goals, increasing his chances of winning the Golden Boot. Musiala, also with two goals, has become a significant liability for sportsbooks due to the amount of bets and money placed on him.
The UEFA Euro 2024 betting landscape has been filled with surprises and unexpected developments. From the resilience of underdog teams like Austria and Georgia to the emergence of young talents like Musiala, the tournament has provided plenty of excitement for both fans and bettors. As the competition heads into the single-elimination rounds, the betting favorites will be put to the test, and new contenders may emerge to shake up the established order.