Who will win Euro 2020? Our writers have their say

Banele Pikwa says – France 5/1

For me, the tournament winners will come from Group F where we have 2016’s European champions Portugal, 2018’s World Champions France and 2014’s World Champions Germany. Although it won’t be easy, I can see France racking up goals with Karim Benzema being the main catalyst up front, with the help of Kylian Mbappe and Antione Griezmann. N’Golo Kante picked up form at the right time and a midfield of him and Paul Pogba will be hard to stop. Most of these players know this could be their last major tournament while in their peak years, and after losing in the final last time out, I believe they will do one better this time around.

Venal Naidu says – France 5/1

Les Bleus are the reigning world champions and are my selection to win Euro 2020. Sir Alex Ferguson, arguably the greatest manager in the history of football, said “give me Zinedine Zidane and 10 pieces of wood and I’ll win you the Champions League.” My response to that quote from the great man will be to say “give me N’Golo Kante and any other 10 players and the sky is the limit!” My statement came to life when Kante was the main man for Chelsea in their Champions League triumph, with three Man of the Match performances in their last three games in the competition. With Kante at the top of his game and the return of Karim Benzema to the French set-up, the 5/1 on offer for this team of stars in every position is really worth a punt!

Donavan Vere says – France 5/1

I believe France will top the ‘Group of Death’ with Germany and Portugal, and ultimately lift the trophy. Didier Deschamps has some of the world’s best players to call upon with the likes of Raphael Varane, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. With goal-​scoring machine Karim Benzema added to the mix – respectfully an upgrade on Olivier Giroud – the world champions now look unstoppable. Les Bleus will also gain from the quality and form of Ballon d’Or contender Kante who was recently named Man of the Match in both the semis and final of the UEFA Champions League with club Chelsea. Deschamps will want to continue adding silverware to France’s trophy cabinet and they’re my confident pick at 5/1.

Jesse Nagel says – Portugal 9/1

Being pitted in the group of death alongside France and Germany, Portugal seem to be written off by many pundits already. Stay away from those people. Portugal have shown that they have plenty of pedigree when it comes to major European tournaments, being defending champions of Europe, while Fernando Santos’ men also won the very first Nations League competition back in 2019. In Ruben Dias, Portugal have the best defender in the tournament, not to mention the greatest goalscorer on the planet in Cristiano Ronaldo. I’m also expecting a huge campaign for Bruno Fernandes, making Portugal excellent value for me at 9/1.

Jason Dewey says – Italy 8/1

After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, Italy are primed and ready for redemption. They qualified for Euro 2020 having won all 10 of their qualification matches in a group that featured Finland, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia and Liechtenstein. They banged in 37 goals and conceded just four. The only other Team with a 100% qualification record was Belgium. There’s only one real injury concern on Roberto Mancini’s mind with Marco Verratti unavailable for the first two games. Other than that, it’s a clean bill of health. The spine of the side is immensely experienced. It’s crazy to think that Gianluigi Donnarumma is only 22. Capped 26 times for Italy and with over 200 appearances for Milan, he’s a colossus – literally and figuratively – between the sticks. You needn’t say anything about the centre-half pairing of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. Jorginho will keep things ticking over in midfield while the evergreen Ciro Immobile will carry the team’s goalscoring threat. Realistically, there are many other places where this side can hurt you. Nicolo Barella is one of the brightest young stars in Serie A, with his performances for Inter attracting interest from Liverpool. Lorenzo Insigne is always a threat while the Italians’ full-back depth isn’t spoken of highly enough. You’re not going to go broke backing teams of Italy’s quality at tournaments like this at 8/1.

Ryan Liberty says – France 5/1

Didier Deschamps will attempt to become the only manager to win both the FIFA World Cup and the Euro as a manager and as a player. His side go into the tournament as favourites – and rightly so. Their quality matches their depth, and they are a side who can hurt the opposition from almost every area on the field. I think the competitiveness of Group F only adds to Les Bleus’ danger, forcing them to get out of the gates quickly and effectively start the tournament with focused and clinical intention. France win this Euro. I know you don’t get too many pats on the back for tipping the favourite, but I just can’t see past them. Back Les Bleus, put your money down and join in with the chants of Allez! Allez! Allez! come July 11th!

Joshua Gaillard says – France 5/1

Easily the toughest group of the Euros sees world champions France squaring off with Germany and Portugal in Group F. Two-time World Cup-winning (once as a player) Didier Deschamps has had his hands full trying to juggle the heaps of world-class talent present in Les Bleus setup and has evidently done so by selecting yet another group of first-class players that are tipped to go all the way. In the engine room of the French sits an ever-ready N’Golo Kante, who has shown his ability to carry a star-studded team all the way to the top. The Chelsea midfielder is slowly becoming favourite to take home the Ballon d’Or when France take home the Henri Delauney Cup. At the head of the attack is Karim Benzema who has returned after a six-year hiatus and is also my pick for top goalscorer of the tournament. Back the true favourites France at 5/1.

Bryan Naicker says – Spain 8/1

The Spanish have endured a dry and trophyless spell compared to their “golden generation” led by the lionhearted Carles Puyol with magicians Xavi and Andres Iniesta pulling the strings from midfield. Firstly, that period has ended and will never be replicated but is possible to improve upon and take lessons from the past. Secondly, and most importantly, former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has found a way to pick up the tempo of passing and increase the number of goalscoring chances created, while staying true to their iconic Tiki-taka brand of football. My money is on Fabian Ruiz and Thiago Alcantara to run the show for Spain and bring the glory days back to La Roja.

Chad Nagel says – Germany 7/1

Understandably, there’s a lot of hype around Portugal and France’s star-studded squads heading into Euro 2020. But as we’re all aware, international tournaments aren’t simply won on paper. Germany may not be the force of old, but it takes a brave punter to write off their chances heading into any major tournament. Joachim Low’s side topped their Euro 2020 qualifying group ahead of Netherlands and racked up 30 goals in eight matches. They have reached the semi-final in the last two European Championships and were the runners-up before that back in 2008. Low will hope to bow out of the national team job by winning Euro 2020, and with a squad bulging with talent, he has every chance of doing so. You can never write off the Germans.