Euro 2020 Props: Groups D-F First Games

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Group D:

England vs Croatia – June 13, 9 a.m. ET, London

After a series of disappointing tournament finishes, England finally made a deep run in the 2018 World Cup. Croatia put England’s tournament to an end in the semifinals, which makes this an exciting rematch. The Three Lions have improved since while Croatia has lost key players to retirement.

England striker Harry Kane has an impeccable goal-scoring record for both club and country. I expect him to be driven after he once again failed to win a trophy this season with Tottenham. He and England could get off to a quick start here.

Pick: Harry Kane First Goalscorer (+275)

Scotland vs Czech Republic – June 14, 9 a.m. ET, Glasgow

This could certainly go either way as both teams match up well. This game is either team’s best opportunity to pick up a win in the group stage so I expect them both to try to attack. Neither team has a particularly dangerous number nine but there are certainly players capable of scoring on either side.

Czech Republic’s Tomáš Souček was one of the Premier League signings of the season and scored 10 goals for West Ham from midfield. Midfielder John McGinn captained Scotland in its 1-0 win against the Czech Republic last October and has 10 international goals, more than any other player on the Scottish Euro roster. Bet on both teams to score.

Pick: Both Teams to Score (+110)

Group E:

Poland vs Slovakia  – June 14, Noon ET, Saint Petersburg

These teams haven’t played a competitive game since 2009 but have at least one thing in common: both rely heavily on one player. Poland’s Robert Lewandowski is arguably the best striker in the world and is Poland’s all-time leading scorer. Slovakia’s Marek Hamšík is the nation’s leading scorer but is past his prime.

Poland may feel it has unfinished business as it unluckily lost to eventual Euro 2016 champions Portugal in the quarterfinals, in penalties. Lewandowski only managed to score once in five games in Euro 2016 and failed to score in the 2018 World Cup. Whether he improves his goal-scoring record or not, I expect Poland to get off to a good start here.

Pick: Poland to Win and Under 2½ Goals (+240)

Spain vs Sweden  – June 14, 3 p.m. ET, Seville

Spain’s team may not be as strong as previous iterations but is still full of talent. Sweden will undoubtedly miss Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he pulled out due to injury, but was able to qualify for the tournament while he was in international retirement. Sweden struggled against superior competition in the UEFA Nations League, winning just one of six games against Croatia, France, and Portugal.

Spain is on the level of Sweden’s three opponents in the Nations League and should dominate throughout. Sergio Ramos won’t be with La Roja this time but Man City’s Aymeric Laporte switched allegiances from France to Spain and helped subdue Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent friendly.

Pick: Halftime – Fulltime: Spain – Spain (Ev)

Group F:

Hungary vs Portugal  – June 15, Noon ET, Budapest

Portugal starts the defense of its Euro 2016 title in Hungary. Hungary and RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai had to withdraw from the tournament due to hamstring issues and will be missed.

Portugal has one of the most talented forward lines in the tournament in Diogo Jota, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Bernardo Silva. So talented that Andre Silva, who scored 28 goals in 32 Bundesliga games in 2020/21 for Frankfurt, and Atletico Madrid wonderkid João Félix will most likely be relegated to the bench. I expect Portugal to score a bunch of goals and it’ll need each and every one, especially given the difficulty of its group. This has the potential to finish three or four nil.

Pick: Portugal 4-0 (+2000)

France vs Germany  – June 15, 3 p.m. ET, Munich

Usually, we’d have to wait until the knockout stages for a game of this caliber, but Group F will give us three matchups. With 2018 World Cup winner France, Euro 2016 winner Portugal, and 2014 World Cup Winner Germany all in the same group, this is undoubtedly the “Group of Death”.

France is the favorite to win the Euro at +450 but it will be an incredibly difficult journey. Germany is always organized and has a world-class midfield. Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry has 16 goals in 25 caps for Germany and his pace puts constant pressure on defenses. France has the best young player in the world and the Ballon D’or favorite in Kylian Mbappe and has recently introduced Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema back into the national team fold. I think these footballing behemoths will play to a draw with both teams scoring multiple goals.

Pick: Draw and Total Over 2½  (+1100)