Liam Flin
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Three-time European championship winners Spain is the only team playing at home in Euro 2020 Group E, which comprises 1992 semi-finalists Sweden, Robert Lewandowski’s Poland, and Slovakia, with matches taking place in Seville, Spain, and St Petersburg in Russia.
Let’s look at which teams have the best chance of qualifying for the next stage of the European soccer tournament, but make sure you also check out our outright futures predictions for who wins Euro 2020!
Spain not the force it was a decade ago
Spain’s golden generation has been and gone, with their last tournament success coming at Euro 2012, and the absence of Sergio Ramos from the squad is further proof this is a team in transition.
There are still stars in La Roja’s ranks, though, with Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal, Leipzig’s Dani Olmo and Barcelona’s Pedri all talents to keep an eye on.
Luis Enrique is an experienced coach and topping a Nations League group made up of Germany, Switzerland, and Ukraine shows they still have some swagger but there are better teams at Euro 2020.
Sweden difficult to break down
Sweden has been consistent but far from groundbreaking at the European Championships, qualifying for the last five tournaments but making it out of their group on only one occasion.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is long gone despite his involvement at club level but Alexander Isak, who bagged 17 goals in La Liga for Real Sociedad this term, is showing he can lead the line. They suffered only one defeat in qualifying and will make themselves difficult to break down.
Check out our picks for which player finishes Euro 2020 as the top goalscorer and wins the Golden Boot!
Poland is an outsider to watch
Poland could be outsiders to watch at Euro 2020 with Robert Lewandowski, fresh from netting 48 goals in 40 games in all competitions for Bayern Munich in 2020-21, the focal point of their attack.
Creative outlet Piotr Zielinski and experienced defender Kamil Glik are also solid regulars, as are goalkeepers Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny, and they will be hoping to build on their run to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016.
All 41 of Robert Lewandowski's record breaking goals 🤯
(via @Bundesliga_EN) pic.twitter.com/OqABQN7ptS
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 24, 2021
Slovakia unlikely to cause a stir
Slovakia has made it out of the group in both tournaments they have reached as an independent nation — the 2010 World Cup and the Euro 2016 — but they made hard work of reaching the Euro 2020 finals, edging past Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the playoffs.
Marek Hamsik is their key man in midfield but he is arguably past his best, and it is hard to see much other quality in their side other than defender Milan Skriniar.
Euro 2020 Group E verdict
Spain’s vulnerabilities are more likely to be exposed in the latter stages of Euro 2020 and they should top a soft section, with Lewandowski able to at least guide Poland out of the group in second. A few injuries to key players could seriously hamper the chances of Sweden, who lack depth.
Pick: Poland to finish in the top two (+102 odds)
Predicted finishing order
1. Spain
2. Poland
3. Sweden
4. Slovakia
Don’t forget to read our Pickswise experts’ soccer advice for Euro 2020 Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D 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.
