The Euro 2020 finals are fast approaching but over the next four months Wales still have a lot of football to play before they begin their quest for glory against Switzerland in Baku on 13 June.
Next month they play two friendlies against Austria in Swansea on Friday, 27 March, and the US in Cardiff on Monday, 30 March. Then there’ll be a lull in the action until closer to the start of the tournament when Wales have already announced their final warm-up game will be in Rotterdam against the Netherlands on Saturday, 6 June.
Manager Ryan Giggs is also planning another friendly before Wales face the Dutch, which means that the betting on Wales’ opener against the Swiss could swing considerably depending on results in those friendly encounters.
At the moment Wales are not expected to make it into the round of 16, with Switzerland, Turkey and Italy all favoured to beat Giggs’ men.
The Dragons are at a best price of 27-11 to beat the Swiss with Sport Nation, while the Rossocrociati are 27-20 to win. Bet 365 rate Wales’ chances of a win at 21-10, with Vladimir Petkovic’s side at 13-10… the draw is 11-5.
Wales stay in Baku for their clash with Turkey on 17 June when Betfair put them at 9-5 for the win, while the Turks are 7-5. This time the draw is marked up at 19-10…. indicating that the bookies feel Giggs’ side have more to fear against the Rossocrociati.
The final Group A game pits the Dragons against pool top seeds Italy in Rome on 21 June, by which time they should have a pretty good idea of what they need to do to progress further in the competition.
Italy are currently odds-on at 4-9 to beat Wales, who are marked up at a whopping 5-1 to secure three points. The draw is 29-10.
Italy are favourites to top the group with Betfair at 8-13. The Swiss are tipped to finish pool runners-up at 13-5 and strangely Wales are third at 9-2 and Turkey 5-1, even though the Turks are favoured to beat Wales. The best odds for Wales to win Group A are on offer from Marathonbet at 8-1.
Wales and Turkey are both at 100-1 to emerge as European champions this summer with Betfair, while the Dragons are priced at 19-1 to reach the final, ahead of Turkey at 20-1. But the best odds available on Wales winning the tournament are with Unibet, who have the Dragons marked up at 150-1.
England are most bookmakers’ favourites to become champions of Europe and 888sport are the most generous in that market at 5-1, while France are widely available at 6-1 and Belgium at 7-1 with 888, who are quoting Italy at 14-1. Reigning champions Portugal are at 20-1 with BetVictor.
England’s Harry Kane is the favourite to win the Golden Boot, with the 6-1 offered by BetVictor the best around. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is second on the list and again BetVictor quote the best value odds at 10-1.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku features third with most bookmakers and his odds are at a generous 12-1 with BetVictor, who have Wales’ Gareth Bale at 66-1, plus Sam Vokes and Kieffer Moore at 100-1. The best odds on Moore though are from Betfair, PaddyPower and SkyBet, who quote him at 150-1.
