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The UEFA Euro 2020 is a while away, but it's never too early for football analysis. The groups are almost set, with a few playoffs remaining to determine the final teams. All the big teams expected to put on a show have qualified, with everyone looking forward to the return of the Netherlands and Italy on the big stage.
There is a lot of chatter about who the favourites are, but isn't it always better to back it up with some solid facts and stats? So let's analyse the teams tipped to take the crown of European champions next summer.
The Dark Horses:
Croatia were a revelation in the 2018 World Cup. A remarkable run in the tournament was halted by France in the final, which also resulted in Luka Modric breaking Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's hegemony of Ballon d'Or wins. Come Euro 2020, Croatia cannot be written off due to the sheer quality of players they contain albeit a drop in performance is clearly visible from their mainstays. They have been drawn in the same group as England, who they defeated in the semi-final of the World Cup.
Sweden had a great qualifying campaign, ending second in their qualifying group below Spain. They showed great promise with their performances against Spain, putting up a fight in a 1-0 loss and 1-1 draw against the former Euro champions. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's retirement has left the team devoid of big names, but they have able players in RB Leipzig's Emil Forsberg, Manchester United's Victor Lindelof and the vastly experienced Sebastian Larsson to help the team progress.
They reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year without Ibrahimovic, which would have been a real boost for the young team. Sweden is a team to be wary of, as they are more than capable of causing problems to Spain and Poland in their group.
Honourable Mentions: Poland, Switzerland, Ukraine
#8 Italy
Italy had an incredible qualifying campaign for Euro 2020, winning all matches scoring 37 goals and conceding only 4 in the process. They are back at a big tournament after missing the World Cup last year, and the team would be on a mission to prove that they are a quality side. An unbelievable 9-1 victory against Armenia in the final match of the qualifying campaign affirmed the change to a generally attacking style of play under manager Roberto Mancini.
Italy has a wealth of talent among their ranks. Their attacking group involving several prolific names led by Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Federico Chiesa, has been the primary reason for their qualification goal average of 3.7 per game. This has been supported ably by their defensive solidity, conceding a meager 4 goals through 10 games. Italy will prove a handful for any of the other teams, and everyone would be wary of their potential. They have been drawn against Switzerland, Turkey, and Wales in Group A.
Defence - 8/10
Midfield - 7/10
Attack - 8/10
Key Players: Lorenzo Insigne, Jorginho, Giorgio Chiellini
#7 Spain
The managerial problems of Spain have been well-documented since the World Cup in 2018. From Lopetegui's sacking the day before the World Cup, Luis Enrique leaving the coaching role due to personal issues and recently coming back to become the head coach again only for interim coach Robert Moreno to be sacked from Enrique's entourage, the Spain journey has not been a smooth one for a while.
It is still a very good team though, with several new faces in the side showing their potential through the convincing qualifying campaign under Moreno. A decade ago the Barcelona squad made up most of the Spain starting eleven for the World Cup. This trend has drastically changed with only Barcelona veterans Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets looking likely to have a place in the squad.
The midfield of Spain remains their treasure, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri, Napoli's Fabian Ruiz and Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez challenging Spain regulars Busquets and Thiago Alcantara for a place in the lineup. The attack has been freshened up as well, with the likes of Gerard Moreno, Mikel Oyarzabal and Paco Alcacer providing different avenues for scoring goals. Sergio Ramos continues to lead the defensive line and the team well. They have been drawn against Sweden and Poland in Group E.
Defence - 8/10
Midfield - 8/10
Attack - 8/10
Key Players: Sergio Ramos, Thiago Alcantara, Rodrigo
#6 Portugal
Portugal has proved to be one of the toughest teams in Europe to beat like they have regularly displayed in their qualifiers, as well as in their victory in the UEFA Nations League earlier in the summer. With an abundance of talent in the attacking third along with stalwart Cristiano Ronaldo firing on all cylinders for the national team, Portugal will definitely be a force to reckon with in next summer's tournament.
Bernardo Silva has been excellent for Manchester City as well as Portugal this year, slowly moving towards the title of the best attacking midfielder's in Europe. Golden Boy Joao Felix along with the effective Bruno Fernandes make up a mouth-watering attacking line up complementing Ronaldo's goal-scoring prowess.
Portugal's problems stem from their ageing defensive lineup, with their centre-backs slowing down and being exposed regularly. Raphael Guerreiro, Nelson Semedo, and Joao Cancelo give them great options for the fullback positions. The talent and doggedness of this Portugal side make them a much better bet than the Euro 2016 winning team. They have been drawn in the Group of Death alongside Germany and France.
Defence - 7/10
Midfield - 8/10
Attack - 9/10
Key Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix
#5 Germany
Joachim Low is on thin ice after a horrendous World Cup campaign, followed by a poor display at the UEFA Nations League. The Euro 2020 draw has not been kind to them either, being drawn against formidable opponents in France and Portugal.
A rebranded Germany had a stable qualifying campaign, topping a group consisting of the Netherlands as well. But their performances against the Netherlands were unconvincing in a 3-2 away victory followed by a 4-2 defeat at home. Low will be hoping for a better showing this time around with several fresh faces who have consistently performed at the club level.
Germany's defence looks extremely fragile on paper and their performances attest to that, giving away six goals in two games against a quality side in the Netherlands. Low still has not been able to fix his best back four after 10 games in the qualifying campaign. Nevertheless, Germany are a proven side in major tournaments. Their talent in midfield and attack consisting of several younger players makes football fans excited about their prospects in Euro 2020.
Defence - 8/10
Midfield - 8/10
Attack - 8/10
Key Players: Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Serge Gnabry
#4 Netherlands
The Netherlands team has been a treat to watch since the qualifying campaign began along with their excellent performances in the UEFA Nations League. Boasting of players like Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, and Matthijs de Ligt among their ranks, the Netherlands have ample ammunition to go all the way to the final in Rome come next summer.
A near flawless second half in their performance against Germany away from home during the qualifiers showcased the quality of this young side.
An enviable defensive back line consisting of van Dijk and de Ligt, protected by de Jong in defensive midfield form the crux of the team. The only shortcomings are in attack, where the position of the striker is yet to find a suitor. Memphis Depay has been excellent at filling in as a false nine, and that is an option that Ronald Koeman will consider for Euro 2020 as well. They have been drawn against Austria and Ukraine in Group C.
Defence: 8/10
Midfield: 9/10
Attack: 8/10
Key Players: Virgil Van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay
#3 England
England has regularly fallen short at major tournaments, but Euro 2020 could be one of their best chances since the turn of the century. With the rise in the performances of Premier League teams in the last 3 years, several world-class England players have come to the fore.
England had a good qualifying campaign, winning every game convincingly except for a loss against Czech Republic. The squad depth available to Gareth Southgate makes England a favourite to win the tournament.
With several options especially in midfield and attack, Southgate will be looking to go one step further from the World Cup when the "It's coming home" chants ended prematurely. Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane's form will be key in attack, and a stable midfield will be key to the balance of the side.
Leicester City's Ben Chilwell and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold will be significant in creating chances, as they have been doing all season in the Premier League from the fullback positions. England have been drawn against Croatia and Czech Republic in Group D.
Defence: 8/10
Midfield: 8/10
Attack: 9/10
Key Players: Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Trent Alexander Arnold
#2 Belgium
First-ranked Belgium are serious contenders for the Euro 2020 title, as their horde of stars have been firing on all cylinders since their elimination at the World Cup. An incredible qualifying campaign with 40 goals scored and 3 goals conceded, securing a win in each of their 10 games demonstrates a level of consistency that they have established through the last 3 years.
Consisting of arguably the best midfielder in the world in Kevin De Bruyne and the dependable Eden Hazard, Belgium has enough attacking arsenal to destroy any of the world's biggest teams on their day.
They also have a host of stars in Romelu Lukaku, Toby Alderweireld, Dries Mertens, and Yannick Carrasco who have proven that they can soak up the pressure in their run to the semifinal last summer at the World Cup.
All of their bases are mostly covered, the only reason for them to be second in this list is due to the lack of experience winning major tournaments. Belgium has been drawn against Denmark, Finland, and Russia in Group B.
Defence: 8/10
Midfield: 9/10
Attack: 9/10
Key Players: Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku
#1 France
France's World Cup win in 2018 alone makes them one of the favourites for Euro 2020. Couple that with incredible squad depth, stars in their prime, and a coach and players who have won it all makes them a clear favourite. France has not changed much since their World Cup win, and this is a primary reason for other teams to fear them.
Kylian Mbappe has become as menacing as ever, along with steady performances from Antoine Griezmann for France. They have a host of players to place in attack along with the aforementioned, and this is what makes them such a dangerous proposition.
Their squad options are countless, with at least three players vying for each position in midfield and attack. They have enough options in defence as well, with Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte and Barcelona's Clement Lenglet getting recent call-ups to the side in the absence of Samuel Umtiti.
N'Golo Kante, Corentin Tolisso, and Paul Pogba could be their first choices in midfield looking at the qualifiers. France will continue to be the team to beat, although they have a difficult group consisting of Portugal and Germany.
Defence: 9/10
Midfield: 9/10
Attack: 9/10
Key Players: Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, N'Golo Kante
