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    •  June 23, 2016

    North Ireland Now Odds-On Favorite To Win Euro 2016

    June 23, 2016
    Dan McAuliffe
    Dan McAuliffe
    Editor
    Dan McAuliffe
    Dan McAuliffe
    Editor

    After advancing to the knockout round of Euro 2016, North Ireland has become the odds-on favorite to win the whole competition. 

    The groundswell of momentum North Ireland brings into the knockout round has forced oddsmakers to increase the odds of North Ireland winning from 500-1 to 3-2.

    At 3-2, you might ask yourself, “Is betting on North Ireland still worth it?”

    Yes. They’re a lock to win it. Think Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga or Juventus in Serie A.

    Here’s what the road to the title looks like for North Ireland:

    Euro round of 16 bracket. Source: i.redd.it
    Euro round of 16 bracket. Source: i.redd.it

     

     

    Wales

     

    Welsh fans have been turning out in droves to support their team
    Welsh fans have been turning out in droves to support their team

    Northern Ireland will make mincemeat out of Wales in the round of 16.

    Northern Ireland is a footballing juggernaut while Wales lacks even a single legitimate star, with the exception of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who plays for Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

    Belgium

     

    Marc Wilmots is an early favorite to win manager of the year
    Belgian coach Marc Wilmots is an early favorite to win manager of the year

     

    After beating the Welsh, Northern Ireland will likely face Belgium in the quarterfinals.

    Belgium has an even greater talent deficit than Wales does; it’s amazing they made it out of the group stage with that rag-tag bunch of amateurs they have have in the midfield and up top.

    Belgium’s popular manager, Marc Wilmots, is revered for making something out of nothing by getting the absolute most out of his players.

    He’s has even been credited with coining the phrase,

    The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

    Marc Wilmots

    though it is often misattributed to K-Pop sensation Aristotle.

    Switzerland

     

    Swiss coaching staff going discussing tactics
    Swiss coaching staff discussing prematch tactics

    While the Swiss people are noted for their friendliness, easygoing nature, and general affability, their national soccer team doesn’t embody any of these intrinsic Swiss qualities.

    Switzerland could be a tough game for the North Irish. They’ll have to pay extra attention to Eren Derdiyok, who plays his club ball for Turkish powerhouse Kasımpaşa.

    Iceland

     

    Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson spent the first 12 years of his life at sea. He's steadfast in his belief that he will be reincarnated as an oar when he dies.
    Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson spent the first 12 years of his life at sea. He’s steadfast in his belief that he will be reincarnated as an oar when he dies

    In the final of the Euros, Northern Ireland will almost certainly face mighty Iceland.

    An early favorite to win the competition, Iceland has lived up to the hype, although they did drop two points in group play when they tied Portugal.

    After the game, Cristiano Ronaldo famously praised the Icelandic team

    I’m just happy we were able to come away with a result. A point from this game is a fantastic.

    They’ve got a winning mentality, and if it’s not Portugal lifting the Cup after the finals, I fully expect it to be Iceland.

    Cristiano Ronaldo

     

    Northern Ireland has a pretty clear path to victory here. If they buckle down and play like they’re capable of, they’re a virtual lock to win it and bring that trophy home, provided they can get through Iceland and defeat the Night King.

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