Home › Soccer Lines › Soccer Articles › UEFA Euro Albania
UEFA Euro betting odds: At BookMaker Sportsbook our team of writers breaks down every betting matchup on the wagering board. Cash in on some serious Euro 2016 lines by identifying the latest trends, statistics and injuries in each betting preview at BookMaker. Today, we'll take a look at Albania and its odds of winning this top European competition.
Albania isn't a nation known for its soccer. In fact, this team is such an unknown that it has never played in a major UEFA or FIFA event in its existence. The Red and Blacks are almost certainly going to be overmatched by their greater European foes, but their supporters are sure to be amongst the loudest at the competition knowing that it's their first foray into the international spotlight.
You can find great prices on Albania and each of the 24 teams at Euro 2016 by checking out our soccer odds at BookMaker.eu.
ALBANIA PROFILE
Odds To Win Euro 2016: +50000
Team Nickname: Red and Blacks
Head Coach: Gianni De Biasi
FIFA World Ranking: 35
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Albania finally started to make some strides with its national soccer team in 2006 when it scored four wins in World Cup qualifying out of 12 matches. It was the first time the Red and Blacks mounted a serious challenge, and though they were never going to qualify for the World Cup, they did at least give some notice for improvement.
World Cup qualification in 2014 was another near miss. The Albanians played in a weak group, and though they finished fifth of the six teams, up until their second to last match day of the 10, they were right in the thick of the fight.
Then finally, the breakthrough came for Euro 2016.
Albania picked up some crucial results along the way, drawing against Denmark twice and beating Portugal on the road 1-0. The latter of those upsets came at a price of nearly 10 to 1, and it was the victory which really paved the way towards qualification, a result which was ensured after a win at Armenia on October 15.
Qualification was celebrated nationally, and the team was bestowed the Honor of Nation Order for its efforts.
KEY PLAYERS
Albania actually didn't allow a single away goal in its four matches in Euro 2016 qualification, and it's now the answer to a great trivia question you can stump your friends with at the bar. What nation is the only one to not allow an away goal in qualification for a major UEFA or FIFA competition? Of all of the teams in the world who pulled off this feat, it's the Euro 2016 qualifying side for Albania.
Though this is a veteran team, even men like Ervin Bulku, Hamdi Salihi, Mergim Mavraj, Debatik Curri, Ansi Agolli and Andi Lila, all of which have at least 25 Caps for their nation, could end up showing some signs of weakness due to nerves.
That's why Lorik Cana is going to have to be the calming influence on the pitch. He's a central defender by trade, though he'll also sneak up and play in the midfield if the team chooses to go with more of a diamond look. Cana is the one player on this team who has played in some massive European matches, albeit at the club level. Cana has been with PSG, Marseille, Sunderland, Galatarsaray, Lazio and now Nantes.
Scoring could be problematic at Euro 2016 for Albania. Salihi has scored 11 times for his nation up front, but he's the only man on the team who has found the back of the net more than three times in his career. That might seem somewhat shocking, but it's worth remembering that Albania isn't a team which scores a ton of goals on the European level.
EURO 2016 ODDS ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Albania Elimination Odds
Group Stage -222
Round of 16 +225
Quarterfinals +1000
Semifinals +5000
Runner Up +15000
Clearly, the odds are stacked against Albania here. The Red and Blacks are the biggest underdogs in the tournament, and they've been drawn into Group A alongside France, the hosts of Euro 2016. If there are points to be had, they're clearly going to be against Romania and Switzerland, but even then, their chances aren't good. Switzerland and Romania are both ranked in the Top 15 in the world, while France is clearly a Top 10 team in spite of its No. 22 ranking due to FIFA's antiquated rankings; Albania enters Euro 2016 at No. 35.
If the Red and Blacks get a single point in Euro 2016, it will have to be considered a triumph.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today!
Log into BookMaker Sportsbook and get betting odds for UEFA Euro and information about this and all other sporting events!
