Who could win the UEFA Nations League? The current favourites and the full list of winners odds
As we reach the final days of the group stage of the first ever UEFA Nations League, there are now just six teams that can advance to the inaugural semifinal.
Portugal were the first to wrap up a spot in the final four, earning the right to host the tournament in the process, while England edged out a very tight group above Spain and Croatia. As such, we've seen two historic heavyweights in Spain and Italy crash out, while France are also on the brink of failing to qualify. But who are the favourites to win the tournament, and where do Portugal stand in the eyes of the bookmakers?
1. England (3.5)
They have only just confirmed their place in the group stage with a last-ditch victory over Croatia, but England are the current favourites to take home the silverware.
Losing to Croatia with just 12 minutes to go and needing two goals to even avoid relegation, it looked as though England had thrown away a golden opportunity to make the final four. However, two late goals didn't only guarantee their safety, but saw them hop above Spain and into the semifinal, relegating Croatia in the process.
2. Belgium (3.75)
Perhaps surprisingly, the current second favourites to lift the trophy are actually a nation that haven't even yet confirmed their place in the final four. With work still to do, needing to still draw against Switzerland away from home or at the very least lose by just one goal while also scoring at least two goals, the job is far from done for Roberto Martinez's side.
In any case, Belgium are only narrowly behind England in the betting market, and we'll surely jump above England if they do secure passage into the semifinal.
3. Portugal (4.33)
There we are! Portugal may have been the first to qualify, they may have done so with a game in hand and without talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, and they may be the hosts of the inaugural competition, but Portugal are only seen as the third favourites, behind England and a side in Belgium that, as already pointed out, haven't even confirmed their place in the final four.
However, it is close. At 4.33, Portugal are only narrowly behind England's 3.5 odds, which is testament to just how close the final stage of this tournament will likely be come June. Time to get excited!
4. France (4.50)
Now this is, perhaps, an odd one. France, with their destiny entirely out of their hands, are still seen as fourth favourites to win the while competition, only narrowly behind Portugal in the eyes of the bookmakers.
Not only are France's hopes of progression dependent on results elsewhere, there is only one result that will allow them to progress: the Netherlands must lose to an already relegated Germany. Even a draw will be enough for the Dutch due to their head-to-head record against France, so the odds could be construed as odd.
That said, if France do top their group, they will undoubtedly be there favourites to win the tournament, so perhaps the odds are justified.
5. The Netherlands (13.0)
Well off the pace in the betting market is the Netherlands, who sit at quite remarkably long odds at 13.0, well behind France's 4.5 despite the fact that Netherlands only need to secure a draw against already relegated Germany to top the group.
It would be interesting to see how those odds change if they do secure the point required tomorrow evening.
6. Switzerland (34.0)
The only other side that still maintain a chance of winning the trophy in Porto is Switzerland who are considered the real underdogs in the tournament. And, to be honest, it is very much understandable. Needing to beat favourites Belgium just to make the semi-final, Switzerland face a difficult task. Even if they were to somehow earn victory against the World Cup third-place nation, they then have to win two more fixtures against some of Europe's elite to lift the trophy. They are the runaway longshots.
