England look thin at the back

EURO 2024 kicks off this Friday night and the opening game between hosts Germany and Scotland is included in a R150,000-added Soccer 10, plus TAB's Win, Place, Exacta and Quartet bets on the competition close at the start of the opener so be sure to get your bets on in time.

- Mark Gleeson

There are two common characteristics going into to a major soccer tournament. One is that England's supporters and the English media rank their country certain to win and, two, England go home without the trophy!

It was last in 1966 that England lifted their only major trophy, the World Cup on home soil, although to be fair they should have won the last European Championship but were denied on post-match penalties by Italy.

This time, more than ever, England are being punted to win the continental tournament, which kicks off in Germany on Friday.

According to Opta, the English team has a 20% chance of winning the title, followed by France (19%). Hosts Germany complete the top three with a 13% chance, then come Spain, Portugal and Italy, followed by Belgium, Croatia and Denmark to round out the top 10.

Opta arrived at the percentages by simulating the European Championship 10,000 times in a tournament simulator, making its predictions based on historical results and current market information.