Why this England team is tipped to end 58 years of pain

With all the squads now confirmed for Euro 2024, debate can really start as to which nation will lift the Henri Delaunay Cup in Berlin next month.

France and England have been heavily backed by the experts, while hosts Germany as well as Portugal and Spain have been tipped to make deep runs.

Defending champions Italy are not one of the fancied nations amid concerns over Luciano Spalletti’s squad’s quality and depth.

READ MORE: Bunnies shake-up begins with rival set to swoop on star

READ MORE: Ponting’s freakish prediction ahead of Kohli’s fall

READ MORE: Tips: Why Joey expects Broncos’ freefall to continue

England again enter the tournament – which kicks off on Saturday morning AEST – with a huge sense of expectation, with many believing Gareth Southgate’s squad has the ability and experience to win their first major men’s international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

England’s charge will be led by La Liga player of the season Jude Bellingham, Premier League player of the season Phil Foden and captain Harry Kane, the Bundesliga’s golden boot, as they look to replicate their club form on the international stage.

Like England teams of the past though, conjecture over the makeup of the squad – as well as concerns over whether Southgate has the tactical nous to take the next step with this team – continues to punctuate the discussion.

Southgate left big names Jack Grealish and James Maddison at home, favouring in form but less experienced options like Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon.

“We’ve gone over it and over it as staff to try and be fair. We back our decisions, but we recognise we could have gone a different route,” Southgate said.

England’s defensive issues will need to be addressed if they are to overcome the considerable challenges they will face later in the tournament.

One may come in the shape of France, as Didier Deschamps’ uber-talented squad looks set to again be contesting the pointy end of the competition.

In Kylian Mbappe, France possesses the most devastating individual talent at the tournament, while the guile and skill of Antoine Griezmann sets a platform to trouble even the very best defences.

The Real Madrid duo of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchoumeni provide the legs in midfield along with the experienced heads of the recently recalled N’Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot.

Defensively though, Deschamps will have some decisions to make, including whether he continues with the central defensive partnership of Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamcano despite the sensational form of Arsenal’s William Saliba.

France’s credentials will be tested early in the group stage against Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands despite the late withdrawal of star midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Griezmann believes France has the overall quality and collective spirit to overcome any challenges put in front of them.

“Our coach believes in us being a group, being a team,” the midfielder said.

“We’re a group that lives well together. I see it in training, too. Everyone gives 100 per cent, and we have the perfect set-up to take us as far as possible.”

Germany’s recent upturn in form has many now believing that Julian Nagelsmann’s men can trouble the very best in Europe, with the support of a home nation spurring them on.

The exciting young talents of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz – combined with the swansong of midfield maestro Toni Kroos – have many in Germany dreaming of glory.

Spain, as always, will carry the hopes and dreams of an expectant public but come in with more questions than answers at both ends of the pitch.

Barcelona star pair Lamine Yamal and Pedri could provide the key to see how far Luis de la Fuente’s men go, as they battle to qualify out of the group of death with Italy and Croatia.

Roberto Martinez’s Portugal team have, in many people’s eyes, the most balanced team to potentially knock off either England or France.

A generation of young talent led by exciting AC Milan winger Rafael Leo, mixed in with the experience of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, has Portugal well placed to contend.

But doubts still linger over Martinez’s ability to truly maximise the talent, with critics pointing to his previous work with Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ that failed to win a major international tournament.

Whoever the winner, a sparkling month of football awaits as Germany welcomes the cream of the European crop.

With individuals ready to star, the collective spirit of competing nations may ultimately crown the king of Europe come July.

The opening game between Germany and Scotland kicks off on Saturday (5am AEST).

EURO 2024 PREDICTIONS

Winner: England

Golden Boot: Kai Havertz

Player of the tournament: Phil Foden

Biggest surprise package: Hungary

Biggest flop: Spain

EURO 2024 TITLE ODDS

England: $4.80

France: $5

Germany: $6.50

Portugal: $8

Spain: $9

GOLDEN BOOT ODDS

Kylian Mbappe (France): $5.50

Harry Kane (England): $6.50

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): $11

Romelu Lukaku (Belgium): $13

Jude Bellingham (England): $21

– Odds via Sportsbet as of 4pm AEST on June 13

EURO 2024 MATCH SCHEDULE (AEST)

Saturday, June 15

• Germany v Scotland @5am
• Hungary v Switzerland @11pm

Sunday, June 16

• Spain v Croatia @2am
• Italy v Albania @5am
• Poland v Netherlands @11pm

Monday, June 17

• Slovenia v Denmark @2am
• Serbia v England @5am
• Romania v Ukraine @11pm

Tuesday, June 18

• Belgium v Slovakia @2am
• Austria v France @5am

Wednesday, June 19

• Turkiye v Georgia @2am
• Portugal v Czechia @5am
• Croatia v Albania @11pm

Thursday, June 20

• Germany v Hungary @2am
• Scotland v Switzerland @5am
• Slovenia v Serbia @11pm

Friday, June 21

• Denmark v England @2am
• Spain v Italy @5am
• Slovakia v Ukraine @11pm

Saturday, June 22

• Poland v Austria @2am
• Netherlands v France @5am
• Georgia v Czechia @11pm

Sunday, June 23

• Turkiye v Portugal @2am
• Belgium v Romania @5am

Monday, June 24

• Scotland v Hungary @5am
• Switzerland v Germany @5am

Tuesday, June 25

• Croatia v Italy @5am
• Albania v Spain @5am

Wednesday, June 26

• France v Poland @2am
• Netherlands v Austria @2am
• Denmark v Serbia @5am
• England v Slovenia @5am

Thursday, June 27

• Ukraine v Belgium @2am
• Slovakia v Romania @2am
• Czechia v Turkiye @5am
• Georgia v Portugal @5am

Sunday, June 30

• Round of 16 #1: Group A runner-up v Group B runner-up @2am
• Round of 16 #2: Group A winner v Group C runner-up @5am

Monday, July 1

• Round of 16 #3: Group C winner v Group D/E/F third-place @2am
• Round of 16 #4: Group B winner v Group A/D/E/F third-place @5am

Tuesday, July 2

• Round of 16 #5: Group D runner-up v Group E runner-up @2am
• Round of 16 #6: Group F winner v Group A/B/C third-place @5am

Wednesday, July 3

• Round of 16 #7: Group E winner v Group A/B/C/D third-place @2am
• Round of 16 #8: Group D winner v Group F runner-up

Saturday, July 6

• Quarter-final #1 @2am
• Quarter-final #2 @5am

Sunday, July 7

• Quarter-final #3 @2am
• Quarter-final #4 @5am

Wednesday, July 10

Thursday, July 11

Monday, July 15

HOW TO WATCH EURO 2024 IN AUSTRALIA

Optus Sport subscribers can stream every game live with replays, mini matches and highlights to be provided for each fixture.