“Euro 2024 just doesn’t have a Group of Death like in the old days” is something… you’re not likely to hear. In fact, Group B is about as classic a Group of Death as you’re likely to encounter.
Let’s run through our checklist! You’ve got the reigning champions, Italy, struggling miserably ever since that famed London final. There’s Spain, with a highly-talented group of players that is slightly off its regular winning pace.
Then there’s Luka Modric’s Croatia, a team that has forced its way into the football’s elite category. And, let’s not forget Albania, which is criminally underrated by many, including, most likely, its opponents.
Why does this mean for your Euro 2024 fantasy football squads? Oh, just let me tell you!
Euro 2024 Fantasy Football – Group B
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
Spain
Preview
Spain is still a powerhouse. Don’t let anyone tell you that their winning days are done. But don’t let anyone convince you that winning Euro 2024 is inevitable.
What separates Spain from, for example, modern France? Just a bit of silverware.
Spain has lost only twice in their previous 22 games. But those defeats came against Croatia and Italy.
Spain also has a magnificent squad, but maybe it is just a little out of balance. There are plenty of dribbles and passers. But does Alvaro Morata have enough to be a top goalscorer at Euro 2024? Is Spain a competent enough goalkeeper?
What is certain is that Spain is gently introducing a new, potentially great generation. Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Pedri are all contenders for the Golden Boy trophy.
Predicted Line-up
Simon
Carvajal Le Normand Laporte Grimaldo
Pedri Rodri Olmo
Yamal Morata Nico Williams
Fantasy football prediction
Spain bossess possession. It’s the same now as it’s always been. You should definitely consider Spanish midfielders for your side! Pedri and Dani Olmo are passing machines. And Rodri registered a single defeat all season.
Their wing-backs are classic assist merchants. Dani Carvajal and Alx Grimaldo are two of the best crossers in the tournament.
What about goalscorers? Morata has potential, but he’s been hit-and-miss. Yamal and Nico Williams could produce moments of magic but are inexperienced.
Stil, fans of Euro 2024 fantasy football ought to keep an eye on Spain.
Euro 2024 squad
Goalkeepers:
| David Raya | Arsenal |
| Alex Remiro | Real Sociedad |
| Unai Simon | Athletic Club |
Defenders:
| Dani Carvajal | Real Madrid |
| Marc Cucurella | Chelsea |
| Alejandro Grimaldo | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Aymeric Laporte | Al-Nassr |
| Robin Le Normand | Real Sociedad |
| Nacho | Real Madrid |
| Jesus Navas | Sevilla |
| Dani Vivian | Athletic Club |
Midfielders:
| Alex Baena | Villarreal |
| Fermin Lopez | Barcelona |
| Mikel Merino | Real Sociedad |
| Pedri | Barcelona |
| Rodri | Manchester City |
| Fabian Ruiz | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Martin Zubimendi | Real Sociedad |
Forwards:
| Joselu | Real Madrid |
| Alvaro Morata | Atletico Madrid |
| Dani Olmo | RB Leipzig |
| Mikel Oyarzabal | Real Sociedad |
| Ayoze Perez | Real Betis |
| Ferran Torres | Barcelona |
| Nico Williams | Athletic Club |
| Lamine Yamal | Barcelona |
Italy
Preview
Italy famously won Euro 2020. It should’ve been the start of a winning streak, right? Wrong!
Italy failed to qualify for World 2022. Then, their top players either retired (Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci) or went playing in Saudi Arabia (Marco Verratti).
Italy is not a tournament favorite, as Joe Mourinho recently pointed out.
But I’d like to point out that Italy is never a tournament favorite, just before Squadra Azzurra goes on and wins it.
Italy has a top manager in Luciano Spalletti and some excellent players everywhere except for the striker position. Could get interesting!
Predicted Line-up
Donnarumma
Darmian Bastoni Calafiori
Di Lorezo Jorginho Barella Dimarco
Pellegrini Scamacca Chiesa
Fantasy football prediction
Italy has been underachieving. Yet, they have world-class players. Make no mistake about it!
You should stock up on Italian defenders whenever possible for your Euro 2024 fantasy football team. Wing-backs Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Federico Dimarco look like winning choices.
Alessandro Bastoni is excellent. His central defending colleagues, Darmian and Calafiori haven’t always been. But Euros and World Cups are the moments when Italian defenders come into their own.
Any weak spots? Yes, attack! Luca Pellegrini and Federico Chiesa are okay but need to prove themselves. And Gianluca Scamacca could be a disaster or turn into a hero. Are you willing to take the chance?
Euro 2024 squad
Goalkeepers:
| Gigi Donnarumma | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Alex Meret | Napoli |
| Guglielmo Vicario | Tottenham |
Defenders:
| Alessandro Bastoni | Inter |
| Raoul Bellanova | Torino |
| Alessandro Buongiorno | Torino |
| Riccardo Calafiori | Bologna |
| Andrea Cambiaso | Juventus |
| Matteo Darmian | Inter |
| Federico Dimarco | Inter |
| Giovanni Di Lorenzo | Napoli |
| Federico Gatti | Juventus |
| Gianluca Mancini | Roma |
Midfielders:
| Nicolo Barella | Inter |
| Bryan Cristante | Roma |
| Nicolo Fagioli | Juventus |
| Michael Folorunsho | Verona |
| Davide Frattesi | Inter |
| Jorginho | Arsenal |
| Lorenzo Pellegrini | Roma |
Forwards:
| Federico Chiesa | Juventus |
| Stephan El Shaarawy | Roma |
| Giacomo Raspadori | Napoli |
| Mateo Retegui | Genoa |
| Gianluca Scamacca | Atalanta |
| Mattia Zaccagni | Lazio |
Croatia
Preview
Croatia is one of the best footballing nations in the world. And to think that their journey here (re)started in 1992.
They’re consistent in reaching semi-finals and finals at important tournaments. And, even though many of their best players look set to retire… we’ve seen that before.
Besides, they’ve been producing a few excellent new ones, such as Josko Gvardiol. And, others like Kramaric and Livakovic, seem to come through in international matches more than when playing for their club.
Croatia won its last friendly against the mighty Portugal. And they’ve won 8 out of their 10 games. Still, those defeats came against Turkey and Wales in qualifying games.
It’s too early to tell. Recent history, however, is on the Croats’ side.
Predicted Line-up
Livakovic
Stanisic Stualo Gvardiol Sosa
Modric Brozovic Kovacic
Pasalic Kramaric Perisic
Fantasy football prediction
Croatia is a team that does well in tournaments. Modric and his teammates are ready to play 120 minutes in the knockouts but can also dominate games in the groups.
They don’t have quite as many world-class players as Spain or Italy, but they have enough. Remember that veterans Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Ivan Perisic. The first, especially, is still likely to bring you plenty of points.
It’s hard to assume Croatia will qualify from their group. What I am saying is that the confident passing of their midfielders and defenders makes picking them a worthy proposition.
Plus, pick Dominik Livakovic whenever possible. He is only 2* in FootballCoin and has proven to be great in these tournaments.
Euro 2024 squad
Goalkeepers:
| Dominik Livaković | Fenerbahçe |
| Nediljko Labrović | Rijeka |
| Ivica Ivušić | Pafos |
Defenders:
| Josip Stanišić | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Marin Pongračić | Lecce |
| Joško Gvardiol | Manchester City |
| Martin Erlić | Sassuolo |
| Borna Sosa | Ajax |
| Domagoj Vida | AEK Athens |
| Josip Juranović | Union Berlin |
| Josip Sutalo | Ajax |
Midfielders:
| Lovro Majer | VfL Wolfsburg |
| Mateo Kovačić | Manchester City |
| Luka Modrić | Real Madrid |
| Marcelo Brozović | Al Nassr |
| Nikola Vlašić | Torino |
| Mario Pašalić | Atalanta |
| Luka Ivanušec | Feyenoord |
| Luka Sucic | Red Bull Salzburg |
| Martin Baturina | Dinamo Zagreb |
Forwards:
| Andrej Kramarić | Hoffenheim |
| Bruno Petković | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Marko Pjaca | Rijeka |
| Marco Pašalić | Rijeka |
| Ivan Perisic | Hajduk Split |
| Ante Budimir | Osasuna |
Albania
Preview
Albania is spearheading something of a mini Eastern revival. This is only the second time they’ve been at a European Championship. But they have the morale to produce a few surprises.
The Albanians are coached by Sylvinho, who has radically changed the team since his 2023 appointment.
Albania has a few players you may have heard about, many of whom play in Serie A. However, their biggest strengths are their confidence and teamwork.
Predicted Line-up
Berisha
Mitaj Ismaiji Djimsiti Balliu
Aslani Ramadani
Asani Bajrami Hoxha
Broja
Fantasy football prediction
You shouldn’t outright exclude Albania when considering your team for Euro 2024 fantasy football.
Jasir Asani and Nedim Bajrami are too competent goalscorers who could stun defenses.
Meanwhile, Albania’s biggest stars are Armando Broja and Kristjan Asllani. Neither has become a world-famous player yet. However, the Chelsea and Inter players will be incentivized to make a splash now.
Finally, Thoma Strakosha will have plenty of work to do in goal. The good news is that he’s ready! Consider him for your team.
Euro 2024 squad
Goalkeepers:
| Simon Simoni | Frankfurt |
| Elhan Kastrati | Cittadella |
| Thomas Strakosha | Brentford |
| Etrit Berisha | Empoli |
Defenders:
| Iván Balliu | Rayo Vallecano |
| Mario Mitaj | Lokomotiv Moscow |
| Elseid Hysaj | Lazio |
| Berat Gjimshiti | Atalanta |
| Enea Mihaj | Famalicão |
| Marash Kumbulla | Sassuolo |
| Naser Aliji | Voluntari |
| Arlind Arjeti | CFR Cluj-Napoca |
| Adrian Ismailji | Empoli |
Midfielders:
| Medon Berisha | Lecce |
| Nedim Bajrami | Sassuolo |
| Qazim Laçi | Sparta Prague |
| Ylber Ramadani | Lecce |
| Kristjan Asllani | Inter Milan |
| Amir Abrashi | Grasshoppers |
| Klaus Gjasula | Darmstadt |
| Ernest Muci | Besiktas |
Forwards:
| Rey Manaj | Sivasspor |
| Jasir Asani | Gwangju FC |
| Taulant Seferi | Baniyas |
| Armando Broja | Fulham |
| Arbër Hoxha | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Mirlind Daku | Rubin Kazan |
In need of more predictions and previews for Euro 2024? Here are our guides for the other teams in the tournament:
Group F
