Portugal most likely to qualify for Euro 2024, England have 77% chance - study

Four teams have at least a 90 per cent chance of qualifying for the 2024 European Championship with Portugal leading the way, a Nielsen's Gracenote analysis has revealed ahead of the qualifiers that begin this week.

The study said 2016 champions Portugal have the highest chance of progressing to the 2024 finals at 96 per cent based on simulations followed by Switzerland (90 per cent), Croatia (90 per cent) and Spain (90 per cent).

The teams are split into 10 groups with the top two automatically qualifying for the Euro finals which will be hosted by Germany, who qualify automatically as hosts.

Portugal, who are now being coached by Roberto Martinez, are in the same qualifying group as Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Liechtenstein.

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, France, the Czech Republic, Italy, England, Hungary, Sweden, Wales, Slovenia, Norway, Romania and Bosnia are the other teams expected to finish in the top two.

Norway are looking to qualify for their first Euros since 2000 with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland expected to lead the line while Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard captains the side.

Haaland has scored 42 times for Manchester City this season but he will miss the first two qualifiers against Spain and Georgia due to a groin injury.

Reigning champions Italy (78 per cent) and 2020 runners-up England (77 per cent) are in the same group along with Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia. Italy host England on Thursday in Naples.

Italy also have a point to prove after they missed out on qualifying for the World Cup for a second consecutive time following an upset by North Macedonia in the playoffs last year.

World Cup runners-up France have the Netherlands to contend with