The UEFA European Championship has seen its fair share of drama in the group stages, but the betting favorites have managed to maintain their positions relatively unscathed. France, the 2018 World Cup champions and 2022 finalists, have emerged as a significant favorite among bettors, with a considerable percentage of tickets at major sportsbooks like ESPN BET, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
Despite the strong backing from bettors, the odds for France have actually lengthened from the beginning of the competition, indicating that their performance so far has not been as dominant as expected. The emergence of Austria as a dark horse in Group D has also impacted the betting landscape, with their odds for winning Euro 2024 drastically shortening after an impressive showing in the group stage.
England, on the other hand, continues to maintain their status as the overall favorites in the tournament, with the odds slightly shortening since the start of the competition. The Three Lions have garnered a significant amount of money at various sportsbooks, but have been relatively quiet in the futures market, possibly due to the pressure of being the favored team.
The English team has also been a popular choice for bettors on a game-by-game basis, consistently drawing bets and generating revenue for sportsbooks. Their match against Serbia was one of the most bet-on games in the group stage, highlighting the consistent support they receive from fans and bettors alike.
While France, England, and even Portugal have been the focus of betting attention, Spain has quietly emerged as one of the best-performing teams in the group stage. With three wins after three matchdays, Spain’s odds have significantly improved, making them the second-favorite behind England in the eyes of many bookmakers.
Despite their impressive performance, Spain has not received as much attention from bettors, ranking fifth in futures by bets and handle at major sportsbooks. This under-the-radar status makes them an intriguing choice for those looking to capitalize on their recent form in the tournament.
In the race for the Golden Boot, familiar names like Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane remain the favorites to take home the honor of the tournament’s top goalscorer. However, both players have seen their odds lengthen as they have yet to hit top form in front of goal.
Surprisingly, players like Cody Gakpo and Niclas Füllkrug have emerged as contenders for the Golden Boot, climbing the odds boards and recording multiple goals in the group stage. Jamal Musiala, another rising star, has also caught the attention of bettors and sportsbooks alike, making him a significant liability for bookmakers.
A dark horse in the Golden Boot race is Georges Mikautadze, who leads the charts with three goals but was not even a consideration for most odds boards at the start of the tournament. His unexpected rise to the top of the scoring charts has left bookmakers scrambling to adjust their odds and liabilities accordingly.
The UEFA European Championship has provided plenty of betting opportunities for fans and bettors alike, with favorites like France and England facing stiff competition from underdogs like Austria and Spain. The Golden Boot race is also heating up, with unexpected contenders challenging the established stars for the tournament’s top goalscorer award. As the competition progresses into the knockout stages, it will be interesting to see how the betting trends evolve and which teams and players emerge as the ultimate winners.
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