There is a clear favorite in Group C. Although the Netherlands failed to qualify for either the 2016 European Championships or the 2018 World Cup, the Dutch are the top team in this group. The Flying Dutchmen have an incredible history in international tournaments. They have made it to the semifinals of the World Cup five times and finished runner-up three times. The Netherlands have made it to the semifinals of the Euros on five separate occasions too, and they claimed the 1988 Euros for their lone major international title. The Oranje are the only team in this group that has legitimate championship aspirations.
EURO 2020 Group C Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Netherlands -230
Ukraine +470
Austria +480
North Macedonia +1500
Unfortunately for the favorites, they will be without their captain for EURO 2020. Virgil van Dijk suffered a torn ACL in October, and he has not progressed enough in his recovery to return to the pitch. Van Dijk is one of the top defenders in the world, and he was named the Premier League Player of the Year in 2019.
His absence will be a blow to the Dutch back line, but there are other talented players to rely on this summer. Matthijs de Ligt is already making a name for himself at 21 years old, and he will be the leader of this unit for years to come. Daley Blind is a solid defender, and Nathan Ake is an extremely reliable center back.
The midfield has a handful of elite players too as the Ajax youth academy has been arguably the most successful academy in the world over the last five years. Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek came up together, and they figure to be a midfield duo for the next decade. Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum is still playing quality football too.
There isn’t a lights out No. 9 on this team like we have seen in the past. Memphis Depay is the best option, but he needs help up front to get things done. Luuk de Jong and Quincy Promes are both decent forwards, yet this team will need to depend on its midfield to create chances.
The battle to finish runner-up in this group will be very interesting. Ukraine has the better track record at this event and probably has more talent, but they have been incredibly underwhelming since a shock 1-0 win over Spain last October.
All-time leading goal scorer Andriy Shevchenko is the head coach for Ukraine. He has held this role for the past five years, and the initial results were promising. However, the Yellow and Blue are now winless in their last seven international matches. They have drawn with Finland, Kazakhstan, and Bahrain at home, throwing some cold water on their chances.
Ukraine’s strength is in its midfield. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Andriy Yarmolenko are the two most recognizable names on the roster. Zinchenko is a solid defensive midfielder, while Yarmolenko is the team’s leading goal scorer.
Austria is hoping the third time is the charm at the Euros. They have yet to win a match in their two previous trips to this competition, but they have a decent chance of winning a match and getting out of Group C.
Marko Arnautovic is the primary scoring option up top with 26 goals in 87 caps, and Marcel Sabitzer figures to be a decent complementary option. Julian Baumgartlinger is the captain of this team, and the leader is talented defender David Alaba.
Even a draw would be reason to celebrate for North Macedonia. This small country is taking part in the Euros for the first time after knocking off Georgia in the playoffs. They shocked the world with their 2-1 victory over Germany in Duisburg back in March, and there is some talent on the roster. Goran Pandev leads the way with 37 goals, but Aleksandar Trajkovski, Elif Elmas, and Enis Bardhi are likely to be the playmakers.
Prediction
North Macedonia will upset either Austria or Ukraine and make it to the knockout rounds. This group belongs to the Netherlands, but North Macedonia has the potential to finish runner-up.
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