Euro 2024 team guide and best bets: England
After losing their first ever European Championship final in 2020, could it finally be coming home for England in 2024?
Get clued up on the Three Lions with our comprehensive team guide, which features tactical analysis, predicted line-ups, players to watch, betting tips and more.
How England qualified for Euro 2024
England romped to a first-place finish in Group C during qualifying, finishing six points ahead of nearest pursuers Italy and Ukraine after their eight matches.
Gareth Southgate’s men were one of six sides to go undefeated across their qualifying campaign, while only France and Portugal shipped less than the miserly four goals the Three Lions conceded.
A double over the Azzurri will have exorcised any demons left over from the EURO 2020 final, where they suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat at Wembley.
Frustrating draws with Ukraine and North Macedonia fuelled some frustrations among supporters, though they mattered little in the grand scheme of things.
Predictably, Harry Kane top-scored in qualifiying with eight goals in eight matches while Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka also chipped in with a handy four strikes.
England's squad for Euro 2024
England announced a 26-man squad ahead of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern München), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
England's predicted starting XI for Euro 2024
England's star player - Jude Bellingham
Expectations were high when Jude Bellingham penned a six-year contract at Spanish giants Real Madrid last summer — yet the 20-year-old has still managed to exceed them.
An outstanding first season at the Santiago Bernabeu has seen him boast a phenomenal return of 23 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, playing a leading role in helping Los Blancos capture their 36th La Liga title with two matches to spare.
Bellingham also won the Champions League for the first time at the beginning of June after Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over the Englishman's former club, Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.
Bellingham has long been in the limelight despite his tender years. Boyhood club Birmingham's decision to retire his number 22 shirt when he left for Dortmund almost four years ago was the subject of mockery at the time but at least their proudest son has lived up to the hype.
He built on winning the DfB Pokal during his first season in Germany by being named the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season in 2022-23, having dragged his side to within a whisker of dethroning then untouchable champions Bayern Munich.
Bellingham’s ability speaks for itself but he also has a temperament to match, which has already shone through at international level.
In 29 caps to date, the Real Madrid star already has three England goals to his name, including a well-placed header against Iran at the 2022 World Cup.
Expected to play in an advanced midfield role, the Brummie is anticipated to be among the goals once again alongside talisman Harry Kane as this talented group bid to finally ‘bring football home’ after a 58-year dry spell.
England's one to watch - Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United fell well below expectations in the Premier League this season, but no blame can be laid at the feet of hugely exciting academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo.
The 19 year-old was a rare shining light in a faltering Red Devils side and equally impressed when making his international bow during recent friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.
His first England start against the latter saw Mainoo receive the Player of the Match award and left Three Lions fans salivating over the thought of his potential impact in a midfield trio alongside the aforementioned Bellingham and Declan Rice.
Mainoo’s energy off the ball is complemented further by his close-quarter control when in possession, polished further by a mature eye for a pass for a player with such little experience at the top level.
The big stage seems to bring the best out of him, too. A majestic last-minute winner at Wolves was followed by a sublime strike in a hotly-contested 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford as the youngster ended his debut season with a tidy four goals and three assists in all competitions.
The extent to which he will feature in Germany remains to be seen, though Southgate has always shown willingness to give young players an opportunity — largely down to his own roots in the England youth setup.
Mainoo has already shown he can and will take any chances with both hands.
England's manager - Gareth Southgate
Appointed to England's top job in November 2016, Southgate is preparing for his fourth major tournament in charge of the Three Lions.
His side came agonisingly close to a first major trophy since 1966 when they lost on penalties to Italy in the previous iteration’s final, in what was effectively a home tournament for the Three Lions with six of their seven games played at Wembley.
A subsequent quarter-final loss to France at the 2022 World Cup left many fans disappointed, though, and saw Southgate pubicly ponder stepping down from his position.
After a period of deliberation and reported pleas from the English FA, he opted to stay on for the foreseeable future — though there have been strong hints this upcoming tournament will be his last.
Southgate's managerial career began with Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009, before he began working with the England Under-21s in 2013.
The former defender was then appointed caretaker boss of the senior squad for three matches following Sam Allardyce’s unexpected dismissal, before being offered the job full-time later that month.
Despite criticisms of an overly conservative playing style, the 53 year-old has come closer to breaking England’s trophyless run than any other manager, reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 before going one better to finish runners-up three years ago.
Ultimately, though, his long-term legacy will be largely dictated by whether he can secure silverware this summer.
England's Euro 2024 betting odds
To win EURO 2024 - 10/3
To reach the final - 7/4
To win Group C - 2/5
England top goalscorer - Harry Kane 8/11, Jude Bellingham 8/1, Phil Foden 8/1, 9/1 BAR
*All best UK odds as of 30/05/24
Analysis and best bets for England at Euro 2024
Expert analysis from OddsNow’s Bradley Walker:
“England enter as the betting favourites to win Euro 2024 and it is easy to see why after taking one glance at their star-studded squad.
“Their attacking options are arguably the best of any nation and though their depth isn’t as strong at the back, their defensive players should provide a strong enough basis for the fabulous forward line to work from.
“With key players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden enjoying their best seasons so far at club level, Gareth Southgate will be confident his stars can carry that momentum into Germany and hopefully go one better than they did three years ago.
“Should both sides win their groups, England and France look set to collide in the semi-finals. The importance of that match cannot be overstated, as the winner will be expected to go on to win the whole tournament.
England were one missed penalty away from equalising against Les Bleus at the World Cup 18 months ago but are still yet to record a win against one of the real big-hitters in a tournament in recent times.
“Given France’s greater experience at this level, I’d back them to get one over on Southgate and co again. However, Harry Kane should still get enough minutes to go close in the top goalscorer market at 11/2.
“Jude Bellingham is short enough in the Young Player of the Tournament market but it is with good reason. He’s hard to overlook at 3/1 if you fancy England to go deep.”
Brad’s Best Bets
Harry Kane to be top scorer at Euro 2024 - 11/2 (Betfair)
Jude Bellingham to win Young Player of the Tournament - 3/1 (Bet365)