The Group of Death. There is one at every tournament. And unfortunately for Belgium, Italy, Ireland and Sweden, Group E is the death group for Euro Football 2016.

It appears almost impossible to predict who will finish top and who will crash out of this group. Italy have history on their side; Belgium were recently the world’s top-ranked team; Ireland will rekindle past glories this summer; Sweden have a point to prove.

One thing is certain — football betting tip experts will be following this group closely. Anything could happen in France this summer in the Group of Death.

So, let’s take a look at who should qualify out of Group E, and who should have stayed at home…

Italy: High odds to win Euro Football 2016

History:

The Italians have a disappointing recent record at the European Championships when compared to their World Cup prowess. They won it in 1968, which was held in Italy, and were final losers in 2000 and 2012. And yet this nation boasts four World Cup triumphs. It is a wonder why they cannot get up for continental success when world domination comes so easy to them.

Star Man:

The heart says Mario Balotelli will once again prove to be a big-game player but there is concern he won’t even get in Antonio Conte’s squad. Superstar Andrea Pirlo remains the pivot of his Italy midfield 14 years after making his international debut. Pirlo, 36, may retire from Italy after this tournament but he remains as influential as ever. He could be top assist provider, having incredible odds on that already. 

Route to Euro Football 2016:

Italy topped their Euro qualifying table without losing a game. Two draws with Croatia and a tie against Bulgaria ruined hope of a Perfect 10 heading into the France this summer — but head coach Conte won’t be worried about that.

What is a concern is the lack of a powerhouse up front who will guarantee goals at this tournament. Graziano Pelle was their top scorer with three goals in qualifying. In total, 10 players shared their 16 goals in Group H and punters should shy away from backing an Italian to be top goalscorer at Euro Football 2016.

Odds:

Italy face Belgium in their first game in Saint-Denis. They lost 3-1 when these sides met in a friendly in November 2015 and were completely outplayed by a team with more tempo and attacking verve. Belgium are the favourites to beat Italy, and placing a bet on the draw is also very lucrative. Quite simply, it’s a game neither side can afford to lose.

Belgium: Their strongest squad in history

History:

Belgium are, apparently, the next big thing in international football. They were world No.1 for a short time before Germany took that mantle and topped their qualifying group for this tournament. Historically they have European pedigree, having come third in 1972 and lost in the final eight years later. However, in recent times Belgium’s international efforts have been disastrous. This is their first European Championships in 16 years, while 2014 was their first World Cup appearance since 2002. There are a lot of expectations on Belgium and the Group of Death will test them.

Star Man:

Eden Hazard is widely regarded as one of the best footballers on the planet. But this season he has suffered terrible form at Chelsea. The midfielder failed to score for his club side in the first half of the English season. And at international level Hazard is overshadowed by Kevin de Bruyne. A 

knee injury could rule De Bruyne out of the tournament — or at least hamper his preparations — meaning more responsibility will be on Hazard’s shoulders to drive the team to success.

Route to Euro Football 2016:

Belgium impressed in qualifying, edging a Wales side that possessed Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to top spot in Group B. They lost just once — 1-0 to Wales — and claimed four points from away trips to Israel and Bosnia & Herzegovina to prove their mettle. One problem, however, it that just four of their 24 goals were scored by strikers. Belgium like to play their style of Total Football but they need a reliable forward.

Odds:

The tipsters will tell you Belgium, on the basis of their individual talents alone, should make the semi-finals this summer. Assuming they finish second in Group E then they will likely face the winners of Group F, who could be Portugal. Can Belgium handle a Portuguese side run instinctively by Cristiano Ronaldo? It’s an interesting match-up and Belgium are worth a bet to be eliminated before the quarter-finals.

Republic of Ireland: The favourites to finish bottom of Group E

History:

Ireland’s footballing golden memories are fixed firmly at the 1990 World Cup, when they reached the quarter-finals in Italy. They reached the last-16 four years later in the USA and crashed out at the same round of World Cup 2002. Ireland are group stage masters.

Well, kind of. Their European Championships efforts have been disastrous in comparison to the World Cup. This is only the third time they have qualified for the Euros. They were in the Group of Death in 2012 and lost all three games. Back in 1988 a win, draw and defeat saw them crash out.

Star Man:

Robbie Keane, who shot to global recognition at the 2002 World Cup, remains Ireland’s best striker. The 35-year-old has more experience than he does in speed, which he relied on for many years, and his game has changed accordingly. Keane was Ireland’s top soccer in qualifying with five goals. He, Shane Long and Jonathan Walters must take their chances in Group E if Ireland have any chance of escaping.

Route to Euro Football 2016:

Between them, Keane, Long and Walters scored 11 of Ireland’s 19 goals as they finished third behind Poland and Germany in qualifying Group D. A 1-1 draw early on in Germany gave the Irish hope of automatic qualification but that dream was soured in the last day of the campaign with a 2-1 defeat in Warsaw.

Ireland met Bosnia & Herzegovina in the qualifying playoffs and, after a nervy 1-1 first-leg draw in Zenica, won 2-0 in the second leg thanks to two Walters goals to go through to France 2016.

Odds:

Ireland were disappointing at Euro 2012 and finished bottom of their group. They are favourites to finish bottom once again. But there is hope for the optimistic football betting fan. Ireland face Sweden first up in Saint-Denis and boast a W2 D1 L1 record over the Swedes. Another win is priced very well

Sweden: The last European Championship for Sweden’s striker?

History:

Sweden have a love-hate relationship with the European Championships. After losing in the semi-finals as hosts of Euro 1992, they have failed to get anywhere near that feat. Group-stage exits in 2000, 2008 and 2012 were tempered by a quarter-final berth at Portugal 2004, where they subsequently lost on penalties to the Netherlands.

Sweden’s group record since 2000 reads W3 D3 L6.

Star Man:

Everyone knows who the star player with Sweden is and it’s clear that everything Sweden does revolves around him. He is the centre-point to any attack and the key to their hopes of getting out of this group.

He has scored eight of Sweden’s 15 goals in qualifying and then bagged three in their 4-3 aggregate victory over Denmark in the playoffs. He is at very good odds to finish top scorer in France too.

Route to Euro Football 2016:

Sweden had to make it through a nervous playoff round after finishing third in their qualifying group. They only lost two group games but drew one more than Russia, who pinched second spot. Sweden won their first leg of the playoff 2-1 in Solna. The top Ace of Paris SG then bagged a double to stun the Danes in Copenhagen as a 2-2 result ensured they progressed.

Odds:

It is hard to see how Sweden will get anything from their games against Italy and Belgium. They therefore have to beat Republic of Ireland are 2.50 to do so. However, three points might not be enough to go through as one of the best third-placed teams, so Sweden to be eliminated in the group stage is a strong bet.

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