France favourites for Euro 2020: After World Cup win who can stop Les Bleus dominating
Euro 2020 favourites France look well equipped to dominate world football over the next few years, but who can stop them? We take a look at the main challengers.
France claimed the World Cup for the second time but with a young squad packed with big names, plus several top players not even making the final 23 for Russia the question now is can they dominate world football over the next few tournaments?
France are 7/2 favourites for Euro 2020 and 7/1 second favourites for World Cup 2022 after their 4-2 victory over Croatia showcased how strong Didier Deschamps’ outfit are.
Deschamps has a wealth of talented names at his disposal, but he also has them well-drilled and playing tough tournament football where they are head to break down but devastating on the break.
Age is also on their side with eight of their starting line-up in Moscow under 28, while overall the squad was the second-youngest in the World Cup so has plenty of tournaments left in them.
In Kylian Mbappe they also have the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pele and the man who could be the next global megastar alongside Neymar.
Having a young, talented team, but one that also knows how to play tournament football at such a young age puts France in a superb position to dominate world football, but who will be their main challengers in the coming years?
Euro 2020 Sky Bet odds
Belgium 7/1
We’re getting towards last chance saloon time for this ‘golden generation’ as their main stars will be hovering around the 30 mark in the Euros - Romelu Lukaku is a couple of years young than the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard. Roberto Martinez took his side to a third-placed finish at the World Cup and they more than matched France at times during a tight semi-final which should give them huge hope of going one better at the Euros.
Germany 11/2
A woeful performance in Russia saw them make a rare early exit. Joachim Low remains in charge but there could be a clear-out of his older players as their legs looked to have gone. We’ll surely see Leroy Sane in a Germany shirt next time around. That result and performance in Russia will hurt and it's unlikely that they'll turn up at the Euros with the same bad attitude, Germany usually bounce back and it could be as soon as the next tournament.
Spain 7/1
Luis Enrique has a job to do after Spain limped out on penalties to hosts Russia. Again age is against them and it may be time for a change in playing style as well as personnel and this could be a tournament of transition for them. Andres Iniesta won't be there and the likes of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and David Silva are all the wrong side of 30 - Spain need to start looking to the future.
England 8/1
The good grace earned by Gareth Southgate’s men will have to be built upon with some positive performances in the Euros as they’ll all be two years older and more experienced and will be expected to deliver this time around. Set pieces and defensive shape were positives, a lack of cutting edge from open play and lack of game management when ahead against Croatia was a big area of concern.
Croatia 20/1
They showed huge heart and huge ability in Russia, and they're a huge price considering their World Cup exploits. They were more than a little hard done to in the final but soldiered on and were largely the better side than France in Moscow. Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic are getting on but could still play a part and if Zlatko Dalic can keep most of his squad together they could go close again.
Portugal 14/1
Again they’ll be massively dependent on Cristiano Ronaldo but if his move to Juventus is a success then there’s no reason why they won’t be the usual difficult to beat outfit that always has a chance with the great man up front.
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Page last updated at 0952 BST on 16/07/2018
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