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Euro 2024 Group B Winner Odds & Tips - Croatia set to Upset Spain at the Euros

Eddy Tora

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Last updated: 15 May 2024

Eddy Tora 15 May 2024

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Spain are the favourites to win the Group B at Euro 2024
Can Italy, Croatia or Albania win at big odds?

Croatia are unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 matches against Spain (Getty)

Bookmakers have set Spain as the favourites to win Group B at Euro 2024. Italy are next best and Croatia have been given some chance, Albania not expected to threaten the big guns in Europe.

La Roja have won the tournament three times, but they are not as strong as the side that went back to back in 2008 and 2012. Can Croatia or Italy steal top spot, or will the Albanians throw a spanner in the works?

Let’s break down Group B and look for some value in the betting markets.

Group B Winner Odds
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
HTH
Group B fixtures
Group B Tips

Group B Winner Odds

Odds from bet365 and correct on 15 May 2024:

Team	Odds
Spain	1.80
Italy	3.00
Croatia	5.50
Albania	26.00

Source: bet365

Spain

World Ranking: 8

Euro Appearances: 11

Euro Wins: 3 (1964, 2008, 2012)

Spain came through the qualifiers with ease, winning seven of their eight games in Group A with one defeat.

Luis de la Fuente saw his side lose in Scotland, a 2-0 defeat at Hampden Park where they had 75% possession but few shots on target.

La Roja scored some big wins, 7-1 in Georgia and 6-0 against Cyprus the pick of the bunch. Joselu and Álvaro Morata top scored with four goals each, Ferran Torres next best with three.

Italy

World Ranking: 9

Euro Appearances: 10

Euro Wins: 2 (1968, 2020)

Italy struggled throughout the qualifiers, losing both matches against England in Group C. They lost 2-1 in Napoli and 3-1 in London.

Gli Azzurri beat Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia at home, a 1-1 draw in Skopje meaning a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in Leverkusen on the final Matchday was enough to advance on head-to-head points.

Luciano Spalletti replaced Roberto Mancini in September and will hope to improve his side in Germany. He is searching for a regular goalscorer, midfielder Davide Frattesi the top scorer in the qualifiers with three.

Croatia

World Ranking: 10

Euro Appearances: 6

Euro Wins: 0

Croatia’s strong defence helped them finish second in Group C, losing 1-0 against Turkey and 2-1 in Wales which hurt their chances of taking top spot.

Zlatko Dalic has been in charge since 2017, the manager blessed to count on a midfield that includes Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic and Luka Modric.

Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric scored four goals in six appearances and could be a key player.

Albania

World Ranking: 66

Euro Appearances: 1

Euro Wins: 0

Albania shocked many by topping Group E, finishing equal on points with the Czech Republic and four points above Poland. They lost 1-0 in Warsaw to open their campaign, following up with four wins and three draws.

Former Lyon and Corinthians manager Sylvinho has been in charge since January 2023, the Brazilian doing a great job to secure a second European Championship for his adopted nation.

A strong spine is held together by centre-backs Berat Djimsiti and Marash Kumbulla. Inter Milan midfielder Kristjan Asllani brings confidence to the squad, but their biggest problem will be scoring goals.

HTH

Spain have failed to win in their last three matches against Croatia. One of those was a 3-3 thriller in the EURO 2020 Round of 16, Álvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal scoring in extra time to secure a 5-3 victory.

Spain have met Italy 40 times and hold a narrow 15-12 advantage, winning the last clash 2-1 in June 2023 when they won 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. They are 8-0 against Albania, scoring 31 goals with three conceded.

Croatia have a 3-1 advantage over Italy in the head to head, the nine matches resulting in five stalemates. They last met in the 2016 European Qualifiers, both ending in 1-1 draws.

Albania have scored once in four defeats to Italy, conceding seven goals. They have never faced Croatia.

Group B Fixtures

Group B kicks off on June 15, Spain opening their tournament against Croatia at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Italy will be well backed to beat Albania in Dortmund.

Albania meet Croatia on Matchday Two, Spain taking on Italy in Gelsenkirchen in a game that could prove decisive.

The group concludes on the June 24 with Albania attempting to stop Spain in Düsseldorf, Croatia facing Italy in Leipzig.

Date	Time	Team	Team	Venue, City
15/06/2024	17:00	Spain	Croatia	Olympiastadion, Berlin
15/06/2024	20:00	Italy	Albania	Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
19/06/2024	14:00	Croatia	Albania	Volksparkstadion, Hamburg
20/06/2024	20:00	Spain	Italy	Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen
24/06/2024	20:00	Albania	Spain	Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf
24/06/2024	20:00	Croatia	Italy	Red Bull Arena, Leipzig

Group B Tips

Spain are deserved favourites, their squad featuring more quality attacking players who can make the difference in the final third. They will dominate possession and attempt to strangle the life out of their opponents.

Croatia are the team to fear however, unbeaten in their last three games against Spain and losing just one of nine games against Italy.

With a strong midfield and stingy defence, there is every chance of a result in their opening game against La Roja. Croatia can gain more confidence against Albania and take it into the final game against Italy.