European Championship – Group B Predictions

01/06/21 3620

The 2020 European Championship was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and has been rescheduled for the 11th of June to the 11th of July 2021.

It is a fantastic time for football fans across the continent and we continue our look ahead to the tournament with predictions for the teams who will progress from Group B.

This group consists of Denmark, Finland, Belgium, and Russia. Immediately there is one team that stands out in this group and Belgium are the clear favourites to finish top.

The Red Devils qualified for this tournament in style having won each of their 10 qualifying matches in a group containing Russia, Scotland, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, and San Marino. Belgium scored 40 goals in their 10 games and conceded only 3 goals, giving them both the best goal scoring and defensive records in qualifying.

Belgium are currently in command of their 2022 World Cup qualifying group and at the time of writing they are on a 7 match unbeaten run plus have lost only once in their last 21 games. It would be a huge shock if Belgium finished anywhere other than first place in Group B.

However, we could see an interesting battle for the second automatic qualifying position in the group between Denmark and Russia. The Danes finished second in their qualifying group, 1 point behind Switzerland.

Having failed to qualify for the 2016 competition, you must go back to 2012 to find the last time Denmark were involved in the European Championship and they were eliminated at the group stage.

In fact, since winning the tournament in 1992, only once in four attempts have Denmark managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

The Danes have made a strong start to their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign and will believe they have what it takes to claim second place.

Russia, who finished second behind Belgium in their European Championship qualifying group will also think they can finish in second place in Group B. Russia reached the quarter-final of the 2018 World Cup in-front of their own fans and the semi-final of the 2012 European Championship.

However, they have failed to progress beyond the group stage in the two most recent European Championships and despite playing two matches at home in this group, will be forced to play Denmark in Copenhagen. It is that game which could make the difference and see Russia finish in third place.

Finally, we come to Finland who are delighted to have qualified for their first European Championship. This is going to be a special occasion for the Finnish team and they will want to do their country proud.

However, it is going to be a tough ask to pick up the points required against Belgium, Denmark, and Russia to finish in second place and even progressing as one of the best third placed teams is questionable.

We do not expect to see Finland get brushed aside and they are going to give Denmark and Russia a good game but ultimately, their tournament is likely to come to an end at the group stage.

Prediction:

1. Belgium
2. Denmark
3. Russia
4. Finland