Liam Flin
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The Euro 2020 games in Group B will take place in both Copenhagen in Denmark and St. Petersburg in Russia as Denmark, Finland, Belgium, and Russia battle for spots in the knockout stages. Make sure you read our Euro 2020 outright winner betting preview, which includes a pick for one of the teams from Group B…
Let’s take look at each team’s prospects of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Denmark boasts top-quality performers
Since a surprise title win at Euro 92, Denmark has managed only three wins at the European Championship finals but the Danes will at least play all of their games in Group B on home soil.
They were solid but unspectacular in qualifying, winning four and tying four of their eight matchups, and in midfield maestro Christian Eriksen and experienced shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel they have some top-level starters.
Finns are the underdogs of the group
Finland will be playing in their first major tournament this summer, having finished behind runaway section winners Italy in their qualifying group.
Their strengths come at opposite ends of the field with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky having matured into one of the Bundesliga’s finest shot-stoppers and veteran striker Teemu Pukki having spearheaded Norwich City’s attack in the English Premier League a couple of years ago. They are, however, the underdogs of the group.
Red Devils will be hard to deny in group
Belgium’s so-called golden generation have not yet won a major trophy but their third-placed finish at the 2018 World Cup suggests they are getting closer.
The Red Devils possess some of the most talented individuals on the continent in Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, although midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne is now an injury doubt after getting hurt playing for Manchester City in the Champions League final. A tough knockout draw could await them but as far as Group B is concerned, they are the strongest unit by a distance.
Don’t forget to check out our picks for which player wins the Golden Boot at Euro 2020!
Veterans cut from Russian roster
Russia made the most of being World Cup hosts three years ago and has made steady progress since, putting in a solid performance in the inaugural Nations League and qualifying for the Euro 2020 finals behind Belgium. Cutting veterans Igor Akinfeev and Sergei Ignashevich means their defense has a different look now but in the final third they remain reliant on target man Artem Dzyuba.
Euro 2020 Group B verdict
Belgium does not have home advantage but they are the standout team in Group B and look a solid bet to finish top of the section.
Key forward Lukaku is coming off a superb domestic campaign with Inter Milan, while classy midfielder Youri Tielemans has matured since their last major tournament.
Defensive pair Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are not getting any younger but under Roberto Martinez this remains a team to keep an eye on not only in the group stage but in the tournament as a whole.
Pick: Belgium to win Group B (-139 odds)
Predicted finishing order
1. Belgium
2. Denmark
3. Russia
4. Finland
Don’t forget to read our Pickswise experts’ soccer advice for Euro 2020 Group A, Group C, Group D, Group E and Group F.
Pickswise is the home of free Soccer Predictions, with soccer picks from Euro 2020 throughout the tournament and the MLS all season long.
