England qualified for Euro Football 2016 as the only nation with a 100 per cent winning record.

The Three Lions scored a Perfect 10 as they brushed aside Switzerland, Slovenia and the others in their Euro qualifying table to book a top-seed spot in France this summer.

Can Roy Hodgson’s men transform their excellent hard work into glory? Or will England once again disappoint in a group alongside Russia, Wales and Slovakia?

Let’s take a look at who should qualify for the Euro Football 2016 out of Group B, and who should have stayed at home…

England: Can they go all the way?

History:

England are the only team to play in 10 European Championships without winning a single instalment. Their best result was a semi-final defeat to eventual winners Germany at Euro 1996, which they hosted.

They also came third in 1968 when only four teams — themselves, Italy, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union — entered. Since ‘96 they have been knocked out at the quarter-finals stage twice on penalties, failed to escape the group stage in 2000 and didn’t even qualify in 2008.

Star Man:

Wayne Rooney has been a constant fixture in the England team for a decade but the Three Lions captain is not guaranteed a start in Roy Hodgson’s XI. Rooney scored seven goals in qualifying but this season Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy have greatly impressed in the Premier League.

Route to Euro Football 2016:

England’s Perfect 10 looks great in the history books but Euro Football 2016 betting fans are advised to back them with caution this summer. England have flattered to deceive before. They were unbeaten in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and suffered a humiliating exit in South Africa. Again, for the 2014 World Cup, they topped their qualifying group but then bombed in Brazil.

They scored 31 goals in qualifying (20 if you take out the 11 against San Marino over two games) this time and England do look more comfortable now their Under-21 players are emerging into the team.

Odds:

England are favourites to top Group B and that could be some task. They face an unfamiliar foe in Russia and must beat an inspirational Wales side who will want to conquer their United Kingdom rivals. Backing them to get five points (two draws and a win) in the group may be a better bet.

Wales: Looking to make an impact on Euro Football 2016.

History:

Wales ended a 58-year wait to qualify for a major championships when they came second in qualifying Group B behind Belgium. They have never played at the Euros before but did make the 1958 World Cup, where they finished second in Group 3 but then fell 1-0 to eventual winners Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Star Man:

Real Madrid’s world record signing Gareth Bale is the heartbeat of this Wales side. Everything goes through Bale and rightly so. The former Southampton and Tottenham man is a wizard with the ball and lightening quick. He scored seven of Wales’ 11 goals in qualifying and has great odds to finish top goalscorer in France.

Route to Euro Football 2016:

Bale wasn’t the only man who impressed for Wales during their Euros qualifying fixtures. Arsenal ace Aaron Ramsey bagged two crucial goals, while Swansea centre-back Ashley Williams is everything an international captain should be.

Wales finished four points clear of Bosnia and Herzegovina to secure automatic progression to Euro Football 2016. Their sole defeat was a 3-0 reverse in Israel and that proved to be the reality check they needed to beat Belgium 1-0 on a famous evening in Cardiff.

Odds:

Wales are just as likely, according to the Euro Football 2016 betting odds, to exit at the group stage as they are in the last-16. They will likely compete with Russia for the second place in Group B but must get a result against Slovakia to open their campaign on a high. For the pessimistic among us, Wales have lucrative odds to finish rock bottom of the group.

Russia: Fighting for another European Championship title

History:

Russia won Euro 1960 as the Soviet Union. The four-team tournament, held in France, saw them beat Czechoslovakia in the semi-finals and Yugoslavia 2-1 in the final after extra time.

As Russia, their best performance remains a 3-0 semi-final exit to eventual champions Spain at Euro 2008. Roman Pavlyuchenko scored three goals that tournament, with Andrey Arshavin bagging two. Both players would secure transfers to the Premier League after their Euro performances and both would fail to impress.

Star Man:

Aleksandr Kokorin may be the most famous name among Russia’s squad but the man that really excelled in qualifying was Artyom Dzyuba. The Zenit striker, 27, scored eight goals in qualifying that included the crucial winner in a 1-0 result at home to Sweden.

Former Spartak Moscow ace Dzyuba has never played in a major finals but has some of the best odds to finish top scorer.

Route to Euro Football 2016:

Russia head into these championships in turmoil, having sacked head coach Fabio Capello midway through qualifying. The Russian FA required an external benefactor to pay off Capello’s contract and they need a feel-good performance in France this summer.

Russia finished second in qualifying Group G, just two points above Sweden. Defeats to Austria both home and away meant they were unable to top the group.

Odds:

Russia could surprise a few Euro Football 2016 betting fans this tournament and are in a good position to top Group B. Their first game is against England and have great odds to earn a draw in Marseille.

Slovakia: Can they defy the odds?

History:

This is the first time Slovakia will play at the European Championships and only the second time they have qualified for a major tournament.

Back in 2010 they reached the World Cup in South Africa, where they finished second in Group F to reach the last-16. An admirable 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands showed the spirit this side have in their arsenal and England, Wales and Russia should not take them for granted. 

Star Man:

Marek Hamsik finished top scorer in Slovakia’s Euro qualifying group with five goals. Slovakia won all three games that he scored in, including a crucial double away at Belarus early in the campaign. The Napoli attacking midfielder, 28, could become one of the stars of the tournament if Slovakia qualify out of this group. He is fast, aggressive but not reckless and strong enough to hold off any opposition centre-back.

Route to Euro Football 2016:

Slovakia were never going to top a qualifying group that included defending European champions Spain but they were successful in beating off competition from Ukraine for second place. A 1-0 victory in Kiev right at the start of qualification gave Jan Kozak’s side a huge boost.

Slovakia also beat Spain 2-1 at home in a huge scalp for Kozak and his men. They were held 1-1 with Ukraine later in the group to remain in control of their destiny.

Odds:

Despite a stellar qualifying campaign the chances of Slovakia escaping this group in the top two positions are slim. However, if they get a result over Wales in their opening game, then a third-place finish is possible. 

View market