Euro 2024 – Group C Preview

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Group C Overview

GROUP C – England, Denmark, Slovenia, Serbia

England are tournament favourites with the majority of bookies, though with some operators they share that mantle with the French. They have been drawn against Denmark, who they beat in the semi-finals of Euro 2020, Slovenia and Serbia, in what promises to be an interesting group.

Favourite: England

England, runners-up in 2020, look genuine contenders and are currently the bookie’s favourites to win the tournament. Previous England sides have been talked up by the press as being likely winners, then criticised when they came up short. However, during Gareth Southgate’s tenure England’s record in major tournaments has been very good. World Cup semi finalists in 2018, runners up in Euro 2020 and then quarter finalists in the 2022 World Cup where they exited to eventual runners-up France.

Southgate is not, however, without his critics. Some accuse him of being too cautious, others dismiss his importance and say he should be doing even better with the players he has and he has also been criticised for being too loyal to certain players and for not freshening the squad up with in form players. This all seems to be a little unfair. Southgate’s work behind the scenes has been responsible for a lot of talented players coming through from the age-group teams and fulfilling their potential and his man management and loyalty to players has fostered a team spirit rarely matched in the history of the England national team.

Southgate may privately have been disappointed when Denmark were drawn out first to join England. They are a good side and will be looking for revenge after their defeat in 2020. Slovenia and Serbia, in theory, offer less stringent tests although both are capable of delivering a shock. England have a great spirit and have genuine world class talents in the likes of Declan Rice, Harry Kane and, especially, Jude Bellingham. They will be disappointed if they do not top the group.

Denmark

Denmark will be looking to exact revenge over England after feeling robbed at Wembley in the Euro 2020 semi-final, where they lost out to a controversial penalty. However, their clash with the pragmatic Slovenia may end up being more important to their chances of progressing. Regular watchers of the Premier League will see a number of familiar faces in the likes of Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund and Christian Eriksen, Tottenham’s 

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard, Joachim Andersen of Crystal Palace and Bournemouth’s Phillip Billing. Anderlecht’s Kasper Schmeichel, formerly of Leicester City and Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen, formerly of Chelsea are other notable names in a squad which possesses a number of solid international performers. The Danes are a side not to be underestimated.

Kasper Hjulmand’s side won their qualifying group, ahead of Slovenia and will fancy their chances of a good run into the knockout stages.

Slovenia

Functional and organised, Slovenia qualified behind Denmark, with the Danes claiming top spot thanks to a 2-1 win in Copenhagen. That result proved crucial as Slovenia, who had a better goal difference, finished level on points but were relegated to second place on the head to head record. As Denmark will no doubt testify, they are not a team to be taken lightly and are capable of taking points from sides who look better on paper. Slovenia last qualified for the Euros in 2000, where they exited in the group stage.

Serbia

Serbia qualified from Group G behind Hungary. They have a squad with undoubted attacking talent but, as often seems to be the case down the years, they can be less than the sum of their parts. Dragan Stojkovic’s side will be aiming to at least be in the mix for second spot in their first European Championship finals. Stojkovic must hope that Aleksandar Mitrovic, excellent for Fulham in the Premier League in 2022/23, has retained his sharpness since relocating to the Saudi Pro League.

Group C Standings

Latest standings.

Group C Odds

Latest Group C odds from bet365.

Schedule and Venue

Group C Summary

England are favourites ahead of Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia. All things being equal, England and Denmark look set to take the top two positions, however both Serbia and Slovenia are sides capable of causing shocks. England and Denmark’s matches against Slovenia could be crucial in determining the group. Denmark and Slovenia will know each other very well and England will feel that should it come down to the last group match that, with the greatest respect, that it is a game they should be able to get a result from.

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