Euro 2020 Group B preview – will the debutants provide a shock?

For the teams in Group B, qualification for Euro 2020 was plain sailing. Belgium and Russia met in qualifying Group I, both progressing after finishing first and second, respectively. While Denmark and Finland both finished as runners-up in their groups.

The latter are making their European Championship debut, and while they’re certainly not fancied in the latest Euro 2021 betting odds, history dictates that debutants fare reasonably well. Just take a look back at Euro 2016, where we saw Wales reach the semi-finals, and Iceland progress to the quarters after beating England in the round of 16.

Let’s take a look at Group B in more detail.

Belgium

Not only are Belgium tipped to top Group B, they are also the third-favourites to win the tournament. At Euro 2016, they were knocked-out at the quarter-final stage, by underdogs Wales. But under Roberto Martinez, they finished third at the 2018 World Cup, and are currently ranked number 1 in the world by FIFA.

The Red Devils had a 100% record in qualifying, and are unbeaten in their last nine international matches. Their pre-Euro 2020 friendlies saw them held to a draw by Greece, but beat Croatia.

H2H record –

vs Denmark: W4, D3, L6

vs Finland: W3, D4, L4

vs Russia: W6, D2, L4

Denmark

Denmark didn’t qualify for the last European Championships, but qualified for the 2020 tournament, after finishing second in Group D – and were unbeaten during their 10 matches for qualification.

Kasper Hjulmand took charge last summer, and the Danes have been in decent form since his appointment. In 2021, the team are unbeaten – and their two pre-Euro friendlies saw them held by Germany, before beating Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are one of two host nations in Group B – and the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen will be where Denmark plays their three group matches.

H2H record –

vs Finland: W39, D9, L11

vs Belgium: W6, D3, L4

vs Russia: W1, D1, L9

Finland

Making their European Championship debut, Finland qualified for the tournament, by finishing as runner-up to Italy in Group J. Winning six and losing four of their 10 matches, their success has largely been down to the goals of Teemu Pukki. The striker scored 10 goals in qualification, and has been hugely successful at Norwich City, who return to the Premier League ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

Little is expected of Finland, having never qualified any major tournament – and they haven’t won an international fixture since their UEFA Nations League victory over Bulgaria in November 2020. Their pre-Euro friendlies recorded losses over Sweden and Estonia.

H2H record –

v Denmark: W11, D9, L39

v Belgium: W4, D4, L3

v Russia: W1, D5, L12

Russia

Russia qualified for Euro 2020, as runners up to Belgium in Group I, and come into the tournament unbeaten in their two friendlies – coming from behind to draw with Poland, and securing victory over Bulgaria. Their captain is top scorer, Artem Dzyuba. And he proved influential in qualifying.

While Russia failed to make it out of the groups at Euro 2016, under the stewardship of Stanislav Churches, they reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup, which Russia hosted. This could well prove to be a lucky omen once more, as the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg will stage two of Russia’s group games.

H2H record –

v Denmark: W9, D1, L1

v Finland: W12, D5, L1

v Belgium: W4, D2, L6

Supercomputer predictions

A supercomputer study, conducted by bookmakers Paddy Power has predicted the outcome of Group B. Belgium are tipped to top the group, while Denmark will progress to the knockout stages as runner-up. Russia are the dark horses, who will also qualify, based upon their ranking as a third-placed team.