The World Cup is great, but nothing compares to the UEFA European Championship, aka the Euros. Almost every match is very competitive, and many of the countries are rivals from a historical and/or sporting perspective.
Euro 2024 will be played in Germany with matches held in 10 cities. Twenty-four countries will compete in six four-team groups with each side playing three matches against its group foes. The top two finishers in each group and the four-best third-place squads advance to the knockout phase, which is a bracket-style tournament to determine the champion. The final will take place July 14 in Berlin.
This group preview includes a predicted order of finish and the best prop bet involving a team or player. Throughout the Euros, I will tweet out my individual match bets and any additional futures.
Group B predicted finish (with BetMGM futures odds)
1. Spain, 2. Croatia, 3. Italy, 4. Albania
| Team | To advance | To win group | To win Euros |
| 1. ESP | -1200 | -130 | +750 |
| 2. CRO | -350 | +450 | +3300 |
| 3. ITA | -700 | +200 | +1600 |
| 4. ALB | +300 | +2500 | +50000 |
Spain won the Euros in 2008 and 2012 and come in as favorites in this group. Reigning European champion Italy are the second favorites but failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Croatia were a big story at the last two World Cups. They finished runner-up to France in 2018 and made a surprise semifinal appearance in 2022 when they finished third.
You have to feel for Albania and their fans after drawing this gauntlet of a group for the country’s second-ever Euros appearance. The Albanians made their debut in a major tournament at Euro 2016 and have never qualified for a World Cup.
Best bet — Spain and Croatia to finish in top two of Group B (+250, BetMGM)
- BetMGM offer: $1500 in Bonus Bets paid back
This bet might be called “dual forecast” depending on the sportsbook, but it’s a way to bet on Spain and Croatia while selling an Italian side that looks nothing like the team that won Euro 2020. The failed qualification runs for the last two World Cups were disasters for the Azzurri. Italy advanced to the Euros in their last qualifier, so getting into this tournament wasn’t the easiest of tasks.
Spain is a team who have the ceiling to win the Euros if they patch up some of their issues in defense.
Croatia isn’t as good as recent teams, especially as they continue to rely on 38-year-old Luke Modric, but they have a star defender in Josko Gvardiol, who was a key player down the stretch in Manchester City’s Premier League title run.
You can also bet on Spain to finish first and Croatia to finish second at +500 on DraftKings in a “straight forecast” bet, but I’ll opt for the safer wager in case Croatia tops Spain in Group B.