Euro 2024 Odds: Bodog Previews the Knockout Stage
We’re one step closer to crowning the champions of European soccer. With the completion of the Group Stage, 24 teams have now become 16 and the Euro 2024 odds are hotting up at Bodog Sportsbook. The first matches of the Knockout Stage are coming up this Saturday in Germany – and the host nation will be on the pitch, trying to reclaim their place at the top of the continent.
It’s already been a busy tournament for us here at Bodog Sportsbook, and we even have the Copa America to contend with at the same time (lucky soccer fans!). But our soccer odds page is really taking shape now that we’ve reached the Round of 16, and it’s only going to get busier as we approach the July 14 Final in Berlin. Let’s see where things stand on the Euros betting market now that the Group Stage is behind us.
Group Stage Highlights
With 16 of the 24 teams advancing, the Group Stage of the Euros felt more at times like exhibition play than the second-biggest soccer tournament in the world. There weren’t too many nervous moments for the top favourites. Here’s a closer look at who advanced to the knockout phase from each of the six groups.
Group A: Germany and Switzerland
After sweeping their first two games over Scotland (5-1) and Hungary (2-0), Die Mannschaft were already qualified for the knockout stage when they faced Switzerland this past Sunday. Instead of letting up, head coach Julian Nagelsmann brought out the same starting 11 to face the Swiss.
Germany were on the front foot for most of this match, although it took a late equaliser from Niclas Fullkrug to salvage the 1-1 draw that would win them Group A. Switzerland are nonetheless on to the quarter-finals after their 3-1 opening win over Hungary and a 1-1 draw with Scotland where the Red Crosses had the advantage of play.
Group B: Spain and Italy
Only one team made it through the Group Stage unscathed, and that was Spain, who outscored their three opponents 5-0 combined. Unlike his German counterpart, La Roja coach Luis de la Fuente used 10 new starters for Monday’s match with Albania; among them was Ferran Torres, who provided the lone goal of this 1-0 final in the 13th minute.
Having already been outclassed 1-0 by Spain, the defending champions from Italy are barely d to the Round of 16 after Mattia Zaccagni scored in the 98th minute to steal a 1-1 draw from Croatia on Monday. Between that result and their difficult 2-1 win over Albania, Italy have the four points they needed to advance, but they’ll have to improve their level of play to survive the stiffer competition they’re about to face.
Group C: England and Denmark (and Slovenia)
England were the favourites heading into Euro 2024, and they’re still somehow the favourites at press time despite winning just one of their three Group C matches. As fate would have it, their 1-0 victory over Serbia was the only match from the entire group that didn’t end in a draw.
It was one thing for the Three Lions to knot Denmark 1-1 after a somewhat flat performance. But with their knockout stage tickets punched, England came out with nothing to offer in their goalless draw with Slovenia. They have yet to prove they belong at the top of the Euro 2024 odds table.
After a series of tiebreakers so long and opaque that UEFA says they’ll explain it to us later, Denmark was officially awarded second place in Group C. Slovenia will also advance for the first time in that nation’s short history.
Group D: Austria and France (and the Netherlands)
This was definitely not the result everyone was expecting. France got off to a wobbly start in their 1-0 victory over Austria, which was decided by an own goal. From there, Les Bleus were held to draws by the Netherlands and Poland, allowing Austria to take Group D by sweeping their remaining matches.
Securing that 0-0 draw with France was pivotal for the Netherlands. That vital fourth point, on the heels of their 2-1 win over Poland, was enough to put the Dutch into the Round of 16. France seemed content with the draw as well; judging by their overall form, Austria deserve their spot at the top of Group D, especially after Tuesday’s 3-2 victory against the Netherlands.
Group E: Romania and Belgium (and Slovakia)
There’s one scenario in this 24-team format where four points isn’t enough to advance: if everyone in the group goes 1-1-1, and you’re the team in fourth place. That’s what happened to Ukraine after Wednesday’s 0-0 draw to Belgium, who chose to play it passively down the stretch rather than maximize their chances of winning Group E. With their minus-2 goal differential, Ukraine become the first Euro team ever eliminated with four Group Stage points since the format changed in 2016.
Belgium’s passivity allowed Romania to seal first place with their 1-1 draw versus Slovakia, which took place at the same time as Ukraine-Belgium. There’s no doubt the Belgians are the best side in this group, as further evidenced by their 2-0 victory over Romania – but again, they haven’t shown anything close to championship form yet.
Group F: Portugal and Turkey (and Georgia)
This group was always Portugal’s to lose. After scoring late to beat the Czech Republic 2-1, Portugal hammered Turkey 3-0 to sew up first place heading into Wednesday’s finale versus Georgia.
And that’s how history was made. Georgia reached the Round of 16 at their first ever Euros by beating Portugal’s B-side 2-0, while Turkey took second place in Group F by downing the Czechs 2-1 in stoppage time.
Round of 16: Favourites and Dark Horses
The 2024 European Championships started with three clear favourites on Bodog’s soccer futures: England, France and Germany. Despite their lacklustre performance, the Three Lions remain the +375 faves at press time to win their first Euros. They’ll face Slovakia (+20000 to win the tournament) on Sunday, June 30, with England at –235 on the 1X2 soccer lines and Slovakia at +700.
Those are short odds for the Lions, but check out what’s happening with Spain after their impressive Group Stage. They’ve moved into second place in Euro 2024 odds at +425, and they’re massive –500 favourites for Sunday’s tilt with Georgia, who are +1300 to win this match and +20000 to win the tournament.
Although we have yet to see the best of France at these Euros, they’re still among the leading favourites at +600, tied for third place with Germany on the Euro futures. By failing to win Group D, Les Bleus have drawn themselves a difficult Round of 16 matchup next Monday with Belgium (+3000 to win the tournament). France check in as the –110 faves to Belgium’s +340; this could easily end up tied after regulation, which would pay out at +235.
As for the Germans, they’ll have their hands full with their neighbours from Denmark (+8000 to win the tournament). This might be the best match from the Round of 16, and it all starts this Saturday at 3 PM ET from the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, with Germany priced at –170 and the Danes at +475.
In theory, the best soccer betting value is further down the odds table. We had three dark horses in our sights heading into the 2024 Euros: Croatia didn’t survive, but Denmark (+8000) and Switzerland (+3500) are still in the mix, and the Swiss have a winnable Round of 16 match this Saturday versus Italy (+1500), beginning at noon ET. The Red Crosses are +220 on the 1X2 lines to Italy’s +145, with the draw pegged at +205 for its shortest odds of the round.
Round of 16: Top Scorer Odds
We saw some big names at the top of the Golden Boot odds list when the Euros opened, and none bigger than France’s Kylian Mbappe as the +400 favourite. However, Mbappe has just one goal after the Group Stage; Georgia forward Georges Mikautadze is the surprise leader with three heading into the Knockout Stage.
There also isn’t much star power on the list of players tied with two goals:
- Niclas Fullkrug (Germany)
- Jamal Musiala (Germany)
- Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
- Razvan Marin (Romania)
- Ivan Schranz (Slovakia)
It’s probably going to take a deep playoff run from France if Mbappe is going to vault over any of these players to secure the Golden Boot. Same goes for other one-goal scorers like England’s Harry Kane. And as for Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, he has yet to find the back of the onion bag.
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Keep hitting that refresh button to get the latest Top Scorer odds from our Euro props board here at Bodog Sportsbook. Make your soccer picks with confidence, and watch out for even more Euro 2024 odds and analysis as we get deeper into this prestigious tournament.