Euro 2024 Group Stage Preview: Group B
As we continue our preview of all six Euro 2024 groups, we move onto the 'group of death' with three of Europe’s real heavyweight all drawn in Group B
As we continue our preview of all six Euro 2024 groups, we move onto the 'group of death' with three of Europe’s real heavyweight all drawn in Group B. Reigning European champions Italy join last year’s UEFA Nations League winners Spain and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in a group alongside dark-horses Albania. Group B odds come courtesy of our betting partners at BoyleSports.
Spain
Spain overcame a shock defeat at Scotland to top their qualification group with seven wins from their eight matches. The three-time European champions endured a poor 2022 FIFA World Cup as they suffered a shock group stage defeat to Japan before losing on penalties to Morocco. However, under head coach Luis de la Fuente they enjoyed a resurgence in 2023 during which time they won the UEFA Nations League, ironically defeating fellow Group B sides Italy and Croatia in the semi-final and final respectively.
Alvaro Morata will captain Spain at this summer’s European Championships and he heads to Germany on the back of an excellent domestic campaign for Atletico Madrid. Morata scored 15 goals in 32 La Liga matches as well as netting five in ten Champions League fixtures. At 25/1, Morata will prove popular in the Golden Boot market.
16-year-old Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Nico Williams are amongst the hottest young prospects in European football whilst German-based attacker Dani Olmo could prove one of the stars of the tournament.
Croatia
Croatia qualified for Euro 2024 as runner-up behind Turkey in qualification Group D. Croatia finished third in the 2022 FIFA World Cup but this summer’s tournament may be one too far for their ageing squad. Captain Luca Modric is now 38 years old whilst Ivan Perisic (35) and Domagoj Vida (35) are also unlikely to play in another major tournament after this summer.
Croatia conceded just four goals in qualification and in Josko Gvardiol they possess one of Europe’s most in-form defenders. However, scoring goals may prove their undoing in Germany.
Italy
Reigning European champions Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and were unconvincing in qualifying as they won just four of their eight group games. However, their form certainly improved following the appointment of former Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti. Since taking charge of Italy, the Azzurri have lost just one of their eight international matches.
The majority of the Italian squad ply their trade in their home country with the likes of Nicolo Barella and Federico Dimarco instrumental in Inter Milan’s Serie A title win. The Italian’s key player could be Juventus’ Federico Chiesa. The 26-year-old endured an injury-hit couple of years but has enjoyed his most prolific campaign to date this season. Chiesa has three goals in his last five internationals and he is a massive 50/1 to win the Golden Boot. With each-way bets playing out for the top four places, he could prove real value.
Albania
Group outsiders Albania are the only Group B side that failed to reach the semi-finals of last year’s UEFA Nations League. Albania’s only previous European Championship appearance saw them exit at the group stage in 2016 and they undoubtedly have a mountain to climb if they are to progress beyond the group stage this time around. However, they are not to be taken lightly having qualified as group winners from a qualification group that included Czech Republic and Poland.
Albania are unbeaten in seven competitive internationals and with almost half of their squad plying their trade in Italy, their opening match against the holders could prove key to their hopes of getting out of Group B.
Group B Fixtures & Odds
Spain v Croatia
15th June | Berlin
| Spain | Draw | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| 8/11 | 5/2 | 15/4 |
Italy v Albania
15th June | Dortmund
| Italy | Draw | Albania |
|---|---|---|
| 1/3 | 7/2 | 8/1 |
Croatia v Albania
19th June | Hamburg
| Croatia | Draw | Albania |
|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 14/5 | 5/1 |
Spain v Italy
20th June | Gelsenkirchen
| Spain | Draw | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| 23/20 | 21/10 | 21/10 |
Albania v Spain
24th June | Dusseldorf
| Albania | Draw | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| 11/1 | 4/1 | 1/5 |
Croatia v Italy
24th June | Leipzig
| Croatia | Draw | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| 23/10 | 11/5 | Evens |
Group B Winner
| Nation | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain | 4/5 |
| Italy | 2/1 |
| Croatia | 9/2 |
| Albania | 25/1 |
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