Saturday 11 June 2016 07:39, UK
Bookmakers face a huge payout if England win Euro 2016, with Roy Hodgson's men well-backed to at least reach the quarter-finals.
Hodgson's men - who start their bid against Russia in Marseille on Saturday - go into the tournament following a perfect qualifying campaign and a 100 per cent record in their warm-up games.
But while a patriotic punt is no surprise, Sky Bet's market suggests there is real hope the Three Lions could end their 50-year wait for a major trophy in France.
Only Didier Deschamps' hosts, plus Germany and Spain are shorter in the betting to win Euro 2016 than England, who are widely expected to feature in the latter stages of the tournament.
"With a few new faces and on the back of a flawless qualifying campaign, England have every reason to be confident ahead of the Euros," said Sky Bet's Sandro Di Michele.
"Germany don't look the same side they were at the World Cup and Spain's preparation hasn't been great, so this is a good chance to go a long way and we'll be staring at another huge payout if they follow Leicester's lead."
England are into 8/13 for a run to the last eight at least - a price which has been cut from an opening 4/5.
Hodgson's side are 9/1 in the outright book, with Wales declared an outside chance at 80/1, the Republic of Ireland a 150/1 punt and Northern Ireland deemed a 250/1 long shot alongside fellow least-fancied sides Albania and Hungary.
But Sky Bet reckon France are fully deserving of their position as favourites.
Trader Ivor Davies said: "I still think there's mileage in the current France price (3/1) and am not at all surprised they've been backed from 10/11 to 8/11 to make the semis.
"They have star quality and home advantage and we want them on-side, with the three who follow them in the betting sure to be much worse results - particularly England - although our worst result is in fact Northern Ireland."
France striker Olivier Giroud has been supported in the top goalscorer market alongside Harry Kane, with both into 14/1, while favourite Thomas Muller has also been strong at 7s.
Ahead of the first round of matches, Poland are 4/6 from 5/6 to beat Northern Ireland and the bookmaker reports plenty of support for Austria - considered dark horses by many and bankers to beat Hungary at 4/6 from 10/11.
England are strong 10/11 favourites to beat Russia, with Kane and Artem Dzyuba tipped as first goalscorers for their countries at 4/1 and 6/1 respectively.
*All Sky Bet odds subject to fluctuation
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