The UEFA European Championship has been an eventful one so far, with France and England emerging as the frontrunners in terms of betting favorites. Despite the initial hype surrounding France, the odds for Les Bleus have lengthened from +400 to +550 due to their spirited performance. On the other hand, England has seen their odds shorten slightly from +350 to +325, making them the overall favorite in the tournament. However, it is interesting to note that a pre-tournament favorite has not won the European Championship since Spain in 2012. While England has generated the most money at various sportsbooks, they have been relatively quiet in the futures market, possibly due to their favorite status.
Under the Radar: Spain
One team that has largely flown under the radar with bettors is Spain. La Roja is the only team in the tournament with three wins after three matchdays, which has seen their odds rise from +700 pre-tournament to +450, making them the second-favorite behind England. Despite their impressive performance, Spain ranks fifth in futures by bets and handle at various sportsbooks, indicating that many bettors may not have anticipated their strong showing. Their matches were also not among the most-bet in the group stage, further highlighting their under-the-radar status.
When it comes to the race for the Golden Boot, there are some familiar faces at the forefront. Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane remain the top favorites to take home the honor as the tournament’s top goalscorer, despite their odds lengthening after recording only one goal each. Mbappé leads in both bets and handle at several sportsbooks, while Kane is battling for second place with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has seen his odds plummet after a goalless group stage. However, it’s worth noting that there is a four-way tie for second place, with players like Cody Gakpo and Niclas Füllkrug climbing the odds boards and recording two goals each. Jamal Musiala, another rising star in the tournament, has also caught the attention of sportsbooks, making him a significant liability behind Mbappé.
Perhaps one of the most unexpected surprises in the Euro 2024 betting landscape is the emergence of Georges Mikautadze as the current leader in the Golden Boot race. With three goals to his name, Mikautadze was not even on most odds boards to start the tournament. However, after Georgia’s Cinderella run to the Round of 16, he now appears as a 12-1 underdog. Surprisingly, BetMGM reports that it has not taken a single bet on Mikautadze to win the award, making his rise to the top even more remarkable.
The Euro 2024 tournament has provided plenty of excitement and surprises in the betting world. While France and England remain the top favorites, teams like Spain have defied expectations to emerge as strong contenders. The Golden Boot race, filled with familiar faces and unexpected stars, adds another layer of excitement to the tournament. As the event progresses into the single-elimination rounds, it will be interesting to see how the favorites and underdogs fare in their quest for glory.
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