Group B

Belgium

Denmark

Finland

Russia

Round 1

• Saturday 12 June: 17:00
  → Denmark - Finland (Denmark)
• Saturday 12 June: 20:00
  → Belgium - Russia (St Petersburg)

Round 2

• Wednesday 16 June: 14:00
  → Finland - Russia (St Petersburg)
• Thursday 17 June 18:00
  → Denmark - Belgium (Copenhagen)

Round 3

• Monday 21 June: 20:00
  → Russia - Denmark (Copenhagen)
• Monday 21 June: 20:00
  → Finland - Belgium (St Petersburg)

*Please note that all Round 3 matches in Euro 2021 are played at the same time.

All games are listed as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

*Odds correct at the time of writing (18 May 2021)

Belgium are packed to the rafters with talent at the peak of their game, masking a turbulent history at major tournaments. A golden generation of talent is beginning to age like a fine wine, but up to now they've failed to bring home anything but bronze. For many it's now or never.

Manager Roberto Martinez currently has six of the country's most capped players on his roster, the two joint top scorers of all time and a Belgium team in full flow over the last few years.

Packed to the rafters with talent across the pitch

Belgium are drawn into a group consisting of Denmark, Russia and Finland which should be fairly easy for them to navigate. As one of the top favourites they should be geared up for the Euros with many fancying their chances against the big teams of European football.

How will Belgium line up?

Roberto Martinez has experimented in recent matches to test his B-squad and they've still been firing with full effect. Expect to see Romelu Lukaku up top and Eden Hazard on the flank. Kevin de Bruyne is a doubt but if he starts he will make them sing as he does every week for Manchester City.

This Belgium team has goals pinging in from everywhere with the manager usually favouring a 3-4-3 system that gives balance across pitch.

Much like their Scandinavian neighbours Sweden, Denmark's greatest problem at the Euros this summer will be finding goals.

If you look at their current form you'd be remiss to think this prediction is a bit off but Denmark definitely fall into that difficult bracket of teams that are too good at beating the minnows but don't quite have the strength in depth to make it count against the bigger sides.

Denmark much like a mullet cut - all party at the back and not much up front

How will Denmark line up?

Expect manager Kasper Hjulmand to set Denmark up in a solid 4-3-3 formation or 3-4-2-1 to create more space in the centre of the pitch for star man Christian Eriksen to dictate play.

Denmark's greatest strength is solidity at the back with the likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Simon Kjær and Andreas Christensen all providing a wealth of top flight experience to their ranks. Add to that Delaney and Højbjerg in centre midfield and they will be a tough nut to crack.

Barcelona's misfiring forward Marten Braithwaite will most likely start up front.

It's a fairytale come true for Finland. In a country dominated by ice hockey, finally Finnish football fans have something to rejoice about now they've qualified for their first major tournament.

Finland probably have the most scattered squad of any at this summer's Euros. Their current squad play their club football as far afield as Russia and Canada, scattered throughout the lower divisions of English football to Cyprus, the Netherlands and eastern Europe.

Think Iceland in 2016 but with less volcanoes

Recent form heading into the Euros would suggest that Finland's time has already peaked unfortunately. After a positive pre-pandemic run that saw them make the Euros and into the Nations League in 2020 they've sadly failed to win a single match.

Old fashioned no nonsense 4-4-2 is how manager Markku Kanerva likes to set his team up, largely regardless of what final eleven he picks. It gives Finland a no frills stability that is often lacking in the modern game but one that provides its limitations also.

Not to be Anglocentric but Teemu Pukki is by far and away the most well-known and talented player that elevates this Finland side, closely followed by Brentford forward Marcus Forss. The Norwich striker was their top scorer in qualifying and getting the ball up top will be their main priority

The giants of Europe should really be one of the big superpowers but aside from home advantage at the last World Cup, Russia largely fail to excite or impress.

Recent form isn't altogether too encouraging either. Losses to Sweden, Turkey and a draw against Hungary are probably the best reflection of what level this side are currently playing at. A victory against Slovenia most recently in World Cup qualifying is the only win against any competitor in the Euros this summer.

Russia will look for the home crowd to push them on

Don't discredit the effect playing in St Petersburg could have on this side that is largely home-based, with manager Stanislav Cherchesov opting for players that ply their trade in the Russian Premier League.

How will Russia line up?

Russia are a difficult team to pin down. In some respects ageing regulars like Yuri Zhirkov and Artem Dyuba still dominate proceedings on the pitch. Their overall quality is fairly average which is perhaps reflected by the lack of international stars. Aleksandr Golovin at Monaco is a standout name but one has failed to make an impact.

Cherchesov largely likes to favour 4-3-3 with Dzyuba being the main fixture in the front three. It provides a solid base but attacking intent can be lacking across the field.

Group A Betting Guide

Group B Betting Guide

Group C Betting Guide

Group D Betting Guide

Group E Betting Guide

Group F Betting Guide

Euro 2021 Betting Guide Main Page