There isn't a group quite like the "Group of Death" in Euro 2016. Italy, Belgium, Sweden and Ireland have to want to know what they did to deserve this group. This would've been a really tough group in Euro 2012 when there were only 16 teams in this tournament. Now that there are 24, you'd figure that these groups would've been a little easier. Unfortunately for these four, that just wasn't the case.
Euro 2016 Group E Odds at BookMaker.eu
Belgium -105
Italy +185
Sweden +650
Ireland +1244
ODDS ANALYSIS
Clearly, you've got the haves and the have nots here in Group E. The haves are Italy and Belgium, teams which not only have a real shot to win this group but to go on and win the whole thing. Sweden and Ireland are the have nots. It's tough to call a pair of very dangerous teams "have nots," but in relation to Belgium and Italy, Sweden and Ireland just don't cut it.
Belgium is very barely the odds on favorite to win Group E at -105, but Italy has every bit as good of a chance to top this foursome at +185. Sweden is +650 while Ireland is +1244.
GROUP E SCHEDULE
Ireland vs. Sweden (June 13)
Belgium vs. Italy (June 13)
Italy vs. Sweden (June 17)
Belgium vs. Ireland (June 18)
Sweden vs. Belgium (June 22)
Italy vs. Ireland (June 22)
THE KEY MATCH
Belgium vs. Italy (June 13) – You could argue that the Ireland/Sweden match is a lot more important of the two duels on the opening day of Group E play, but for our money, Belgium/Italy is the best fixture in the entire first round of Euro 2016. The winner of this one is going to be heading into the knockout rounds for sure, very likely as the Group E winner. The winner of this group will take on the runner-up of Group D, which should be an easy ticket into the last eight. The runner-up will take on the winner of Group F, likely Portugal. Clearly, there's a big difference there.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
When you talk about the superstars of Group E, you've got to start with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He's one of the most dangerous strikers in the world, and he's sure to be a pain in the side of these teams in this group.
Ireland's hopes will end up resting on its defense. John O'Shea and his back line played so well in qualifying for this tournament, allowing just seven goals in 10 matches against some of the best in the Europe. He'll have to play his heart out in these three games to try to keep some really good attacking teams away from his goal.
Belgium has the attacking power to get out of this group, but if it's winning this tournament, it has to ultimately get great play out of Thibaut Courtois in net. Courtois hasn't really played to his potential this year at Chelsea, and this is his time to get back on track.
Italy's hero is also its goalie. One of these years Father Time is finally going to catch up with Gianluigi Buffon. He really tried his best to get Juventus into the last eight of the Champions League, but he didn't look great in those two matches against Bayern Munich. Buffon has made 157 appearances for his country in his career, and he's the crucial man of the 11 on the pitch and the one who can cover up a lot of defensive mistakes.
EURO 2016 GROUP E QUICK PICK
Group E Projections
Belgium: 2-1-0 (7 Points)
Italy: 1-1-1 (4 Points)
Sweden: 1-1-1 (4 Points)
Ireland: 0-1-2 (1 Point)
This is going to be a really tough group throughout, and the final standings suggest just that. No one is going to be able to get through these games without at least a blemish or two.
The Belgians have really been building up to this moment, though. This was a young and budding squad three or four years ago, and it made it to the last eight in the World Cup. We have a really good feeling they're going to take the three points from the opening match against Italy to set the tone for what could be a fantastic tournament for the Red Devils.
Euro 2016 Odds: Belgium (-105)
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