Euro 2016 group bets, top goalscorer odds and outright markets

It all kicks off on Friday night as France, Sportsbet’s $4 favourites for the title, take on underdogs Romania in the opening match of the European Championships.

If you haven’t put on your Euro 2016 futures bets yet, now is the time to do so.

Here are some of the top picks from the extensive selection of soccer betting markets at our top-ranked online bookmakers.

Euro 2016 group betting

It’s the biggest field yet for the Euros, with 24 teams divided into six groups of four.

But which is the dreaded ‘group of death’?

The obvious candidate is Group E, where Belgium and Italy will duke it out for pole position along with Ireland and Sweden.

The rest have a clear top seed, although it remains to be seen whether the likes of England (Group B) and Portugal (Group F) can live up to that billing.

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Group A – France, Switzerland, Romania, Albania

As the title favourites, France are expected to have no issues securing top spot in Group A. However, it would be foolish to write off a very capable Switzerland outfit that boasts the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka. Romania and Albania are making up the numbers.

• Romania to finish bottom – $3 (CrownBet)
• Switzerland/France exacta – $7 (CrownBet)

Group B – England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales

England were undefeated in Euro qualification, but there are serious concerns about the experience and depth of Roy Hodgson’s squad. You could throw a blanket over the other three, although Wales could do something special if Gareth Bale has an absolute blinder.

• England/Wales quinella – $4 (CrownBet)
• Russia to finish third – $3.50 (William Hill)

Group C – Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Northern Ireland

Germany should romp through while Poland and Ukraine duke it out for the second qualifying spot. Given what we saw in the English Premier League this season, however, it might be worth chucking a few bob on Northern Ireland to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

• Northern Ireland to qualify – $3.20 (William Hill)
• Germany top/Ukraine bottom – $5.50 (CrownBet)

Group D – Spain, Croatia, Czech Republic, Turkey

Despite their shock friendly loss to Georgia, Spain are rated a red-hot chance to win a third consecutive Euro crown. Their group isn’t a sinch, but the Czech Republic and Turkey squads are their weakest in decades. The big question is whether an ageing Croatia can finally deliver on their abundance of talent.

• Croatia to win the group – $4.33 (CrownBet)
• Spain to score six group points – $4.50 (William Hill)

Group E – Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Sweden

With stars like Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku in good touch, it’s little wonder Belgium are favourites in the death group. Italy’s cause isn’t helped by the absence of gun midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti, while it’s Zlatan or bust for the Swedes. Ireland will struggle against quality opposition.

• Belgium/Italy exacta – $4 (CrownBet)
• Ireland under 2.5 group points – $2.08 (CrownBet)

Group F – Portugal, Austria, Iceland, Hungary

Can Cristiano Ronaldo lift his nation to greatness at long last? The Portuguese could hardly have asked for a better opportunity, as Iceland and Hungary should be no more than passengers. The fly in the ointment is Austria, who are emerging as the dark horse at France 2016.

• Austria to win the group – $3 (Bet365)
• Hungary to finish bottom – $2 (William Hill)

2016 Euros outright odds

The last week or so has brought about some subtle shifts in the Euro 2016 title markets.

Although they’ve drifted out a fraction, France remain clear favourites to take out the title on home soil.

The biggest movers at the top end are the two-time defending champs, Spain, who have come in from $6.50 to share the second line of betting with Germany.

The rest of the top eight teams are more or less unchanged, while Russia ($51 out to $67), Poland and Switzerland (both $41 out to $51) have fallen back to the pack.

In the individual Euro 2016 betting, Cristiano Ronaldo is the bookies’ pick for both player of the tournament ($10) and top goalscorer ($8).

To win the title:

France – $4.20

Germany, Spain – $5.50

England – $10

Belgium – $11

Portugal – $15

Italy – $17

Croatia – $26

Austria – $41

Poland, Switzerland – $51

Russia, Turkey, Ukraine – $67

Wales – $81

Republic of Ireland, Sweden – $101

Czech Republic, Iceland, Romania – $126

Slovakia – $151

Northern Ireland – $301

Albania, Hungary – $401

Top tournament goalscorer:

Cristiano Ronaldo, Thomas Muller – $8

Antoine Griezmann – $10

Harry Kane, Olivier Giroud – $15

Romelu Lukaku – $17

Robert Lewandowski, Alvaro Morata – $19

Aritz Aduriz, Mario Gomez – $21

Anthony Martial – $26

Mario Gotze, Eden Hazard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mario Mandzukic, Nolito, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy – $34

(More quoted)

Euro 2016 player of the tournament:

Ronaldo – $8

Paul Pogba – $10

Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Muller – $13

Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Harry Kane, Mesut Ozil – $17

Mario Gotze, Toni Kroos, Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial, Alvaro Morata, Dimitri Payet, David Silva – $26

Dele Alli, Cesc Fabregas, Olivier Giroud, Mats Hummels, Robert Lewandowski, Blaise Matuidi, Manuel Neuer – $34

David Alaba, Gareth Bale, Christian Benteke, Hugo Lloris, Divock Origi, Sergio Ramos – $41

(More quoted)

All odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au