Tournament winner - Iberian nations poised for European glory

Best bets
Spain to win Euro 2024
Portugal to win Euro 2024

Italy defied the odds to win Euro 2020, beating England on penalties after a gritty final at Wembley, and punters should again look beyond the obvious when picking the winner of Euro 2024.

After their run to the final three years ago, England are favourites to go the distance in Germany in what could be Gareth Southgate's final tournament as head coach.

The Three Lions boast a star-studded squad with talents such as Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Phil Foden and should certainly be among the outright contenders.

But defensive issues, most notably at left-back, could hinder England and Southgate could have a tough time striking a balance in midfield with a suitable pivot partner for Declan Rice.

England crashed out at the quarter-final stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing 2-1 to France, and while they should go further in Germany, a first European Championship title could continue to elude them.

France are always contenders under Didier Deschamps, coming exceptionally close to winning back-to-back World Cups in 2022, and their squad is also stacked with quality.

Germany, meanwhile, will be hoping to exorcise the demons of recent tournaments and make the most of home advantage this summer under Julian Nagelsmann, who is one of the most capable coaches in the tournament.

But for greater value, punters should consider a bet on Spain to win Euro 2024.

La Roja were dumped out in the last 16 of the World Cup but they were semi-finalists at Euro 2020 and won the Nations League under Luis de la Fuente last June.

They were held back by the lack of a prolific goalscorer at Euro 2020 but Alvaro Morata looks more capable of taking up that role this summer after a strong season with Atletico Madrid.

Spain have looked more tactically versatile under De la Fuente, who still oversees La Roja's traditional tiki-taka approach but also makes use of width and an out-and-out striker.

Aymeric Laporte and Rodri provide the team with a solid base, while rising stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams add a layer of unpredictability which has been missing from previous Spain teams.

Barcelona star Pedri could yet return to action for Spain too and they were reliable during qualifying, winning seven of their eight games and conceding only five goals in the process. 

Spain's Iberian neighbours Portugal also look to have a fine chance of following up their 2016 triumph.

It is hard to pinpoint any weakness in the Portugal squad with Rafael Leao, Goncalo Ramos, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes excellent options in attack and Ruben Dias and Goncalo Inacio an enviable defensive pairing.

Cristiano Ronaldo could play a more peripheral role than in previous tournaments but his experience and ability to turn a match should not be underestimated.

And Roberto Martinez, who previously led Belgium to third place at the 2018 World Cup, has enjoyed a terrific start to his Portugal tenure.

Portugal were the only nation with a 100 per cent record in Euro 2024 qualifying, winning all ten of their matches, scoring 36 goals and conceding just twice, and they look genuine title contenders.