Euro 2024 Group B Qualifiers - Preview & Betting Odds
Bill Gaineon Mar 20, 2023 at 05:13 PM
We have a Euro 2024 Group B qualifiers preview along with all the betting odds as Ireland begin their qualification journey for Euro 2024.
Group B Teams - Euro 2024 Qualifiers
(1) The Netherlands
(2) France
(3) Ireland
(4) Greece
(5) Gibraltar
Group B Preview - Euro 2024 Qualifiers
The Netherlands
Ronald Koeman is about to commence his second spell in charge of The Netherlands (the first being between 2018-2020) after Louis van Gaal resigned as head coach following a quarter-final exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Van Gaal's reign was a success after 20 matches without defeat (in normal time) and a win ratio of 70% in his third stint in charge of the Dutch national team.
Ronald Koeman for comparison had a win rate of 55% from 20 matches during his first spell in charge of the national squad. There are lots of exciting young footballers in this squad with the likes of de Ligt (23), Xavi Simons (19), Cody Gakpo (23) and co which will make this a tough team to beat.
The Netherlands are among the favourites to win the Euros in 2024 at odds of 11/1.
France
The French have been in and around the top table of the international discussion for some time in what can only be described as a golden period for French football having been Euro 2016 runners-up, 2018 World Cup winners and most recently runners-up in 2022.
The only real blot in their form was at Euro 2020 having gotten knocked out by Switzerland in the Round of 16 on penalties. Didier Deschamps, who has been in charge since 2012, has proven he has the man-management and tactical prowess to be successful at the international level.
The young phenoms of Mbappé (24), Camavinga (20) and Tchouaméni (23) will all be key to French success in their Euro 2024 campaign. France are second favourites for Euro 2024 at 11/2 prior to the start of the qualifiers for this tournament.
Ireland
The Irish team will be looking to qualify for their first international tournament since their exploits in Euro 2016. Stephen Kenny since taking over from Mick McCarthy in 2020 has mixed success. In his first nine games in charge, he managed the side to an abysmal record of seven defeats and two draws.
On the other hand, he has been credited with giving bringing through over a dozen players from the Ireland underage squads and transforming the way Ireland plays on the field. After a stronger period, his last nine matches suggest the jury is still out on Kenny with five defeats, three wins and one draw.
It’s time for Kenny's team to finally click or his time as Ireland manager could come untenable. Irish teenage sensation Evan Ferguson’s form will be key to Kenny being successful or not. The Republic of Ireland are 200/1 to go all the way and win the 2024 Euros.
Greece
No strangers to success at the European Championships the 2004 tournament winners will be looking to qualify for the tournament for the first time since their quarter-final appearance in 2012. The manager of the Greek side Gus Poyet will be a familiar face to many as a former Premier League player and manager.
Albeit from a small sample size, since becoming manager in January 2022 has the highest win ratio of any permanent Greek manager with 60% six wins and four defeats from ten matches. Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas should play a key role in this side.
Greece, the Euro 2004 champions having beaten Portugal and a young Cristiano Ronaldo in the final, are rated at big odds of 200/1 to repeat that success at Euro 2024.
Gibraltar
Coming into this qualifying campaign ranked 200th in the world Gibraltar coach Julio César Ribas (who has been in charge since 2018) will be hoping to pull off a few shocks and put out a competitive side in qualifying but there will be no pressure on them.
A familiar name to followers of League of Ireland Football might recognize Dundalk defender Louie Annesley who is a part of their squad.
