Group E figures to be a battle for second as Belgium are the odds-on favorite in the Euro 2024 odds to advance and win the group.
Ranked No. 3 in the world, Belgium should have no difficulty getting past Romania and Slovakia — two teams ranked outside the Top 40 in the FIFA World rankings.
What about Ukraine? Can they pose a threat to Belgium's 100% group record? Find out in my Euro 2024 Group E betting preview.
Euro 2024 Group E odds to advance
Belgium are the odds-on favorite to not only advance but win the group at -238 odds. The battle for second sees Ukraine, Romania, and Slovakia all in with a shot.
 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Country | To advance | To win group |
 Belgium |
-2,500 | -238 |
 Ukraine |
-303 | +365 |
 Romania |
-108 | +975 |
 Slovakia |
-102 | +1,000 |
Odds courtesy of Betano as of 6-9.
Euro 2024 Group E best bet
Slovakia to win a group game — No (+115 at Betano)
Slovakia enter Group E as outsiders to progress and there's plenty of early indication that they should struggle to pick up a win.
You could ask the question why as they finished second in Group J for Euro qualifying behind Portugal, but one look at the remaining four teams and their success should be taken with a grain of salt. They beat Luxembourg, Iceland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Liechtenstein, four teams who had a combined goal difference of -43.
The opposition in Group E is much tougher and all we need is for Slovakia to not pick up a win.
Against Belgium in the opener? Unlikely. Against Ukraine in the second game? Also unlikely given how Ukraine has only two losses since 2023 and they came against England and Italy.
Sitting with zero or one point after two games won't instill any confidence ahead of their final game against an impressive Romania, who topped their qualifying group.
Slovakia struggles and finishes with no wins in the group stage.
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Euro 2024 Group E team previews
Belgium (-238 to win group)
Belgium enters yet another major tournament with championship or bust expectations and rightfully so. They have a very deep and highly skilled roster that include the likes of Romelu Lukaku leading the lines and Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings in the midfield.
On paper, Belgium are the class of the group and should collect seven, if not nine points from three games. They were lights out in qualifying, winning six and drawing two, while conceding just four goals.
The only cause for concern is on the backline as they'll likely have to rely on an unproven goalkeeper, while Jan Vertonghen is on the wrong side of 35.
Ukraine (+365 to win group)
Ukraine gave Italy and England fits during Euro qualifying and missed out on auto qualification via head-to-head record.
This is a country with just two losses in all competitions since the start of 2023, both of which came to Euro 2020 finalists, England and Italy.
The issue Ukraine may run into is playing away from home as seven of the eight goals they conceded came away from home.
Going forward should be an adventure with no real focal point as 10 different players found the back of the net in qualifying.
Romania (+975 to win group)
It's been nearly two decades since Romania last tasted victory at a European Championships, but with an excellent record in Euro qualifying (22 out of a possible 30 points), Romania will hope they can turn back the clock.
This is a team that prides itself on defense, conceding just five goals in 10 qualifiers. But in the last two friendlies they've played in, the defense has looked out of sorts giving up three to Colombia and one to Northern Ireland.
Still, Romania will fancy their chances at progressing as one of the best third-place teams, if not second in their Group.
Slovakia (+1,000 to win group)
In my opinion, Slovakia is the weakest team in the group and it's not close. Our best bet focuses on them not winning a group stage game, as I believe they'll struggle through.
Yes, they finished second to Portugal in qualifying, but the group was not very good, and the step up in competition will only show their glaring weaknesses.
Euro 2024 Group E players to watch
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Man City)
Even casual soccer fans know who, and how good, Kevin De Bruyne is.
De Bruyne is a mainstay in the Man City starting XI and he's the one that will be tasked with pulling the strings in the midfield and creating plenty of opportunities going forward.
Belgium will go as far as De Bruyne takes them which is why he's one of the favorites to lead the tournament in assists.
Pick: Top assistman (+1,100 at Betano)
Illia Zabarnyi (Ukraine/Bournemouth)
At just 21 years old, there's a lot to like about where Zabarnyi's game is at right now. He was purchased by Bournemouth in 2023 from Dynamo Kyiv and has slotted right into the center-back position just fine.
He's a ball-playing center-back with great on-ball skills and at 6-foot-2 his presence in aerial duels is certainly felt.
Leo Sauer (Slovakia/Feyenoord)
It's not often we hear about 18-year-olds playing first-division football in the Eredivisie, but Leo Sauer is certainly a gifted player.
He featured 12 times for Feyenoord, netting two goals and creating three more for his teammates.
He's an out-and-out winger which means he likes to take his defender one-on-one and get crosses into the box.
Euro Cup Group E schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17 | 9:00 a.m. | Romania | Ukraine | Munich Football Arena |
| June 17 | 12:00 p.m. | Belgium | Slovakia | Frankfurt Arena |
| June 21 | 9:00 a.m. | Slovakia | Ukraine | Düsseldorf Arena |
| June 22 | 3:00 p.m. | Belgium | Romania | Cologne Stadium |
| June 26 | 12:00 p.m. | Slovakia | Romania | Frankfurt Arena |
| June 26 | 12:00 p.m. | Ukraine | Belgium | Stuttgart Arena |
Not intended for use in MA.
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