Euro 2024 Team Betting Predictions: Romania

Romania make their return to the European Championship this summer after an eight-year absence, looking to improve upon a points total of one last time out.

The Tricolorii have been drawn in Group E alongside Portugal, Ukraine and Slovakia, with contests against the latter two likely to determine their chances of progression. Read below for my Euro 2024 Romania predictions and all the latest betting odds on them heading into the Germany tournament.

Romania topped a qualifying group including Switzerland to make their way to the finals this summer. Edward Iordănescu's side went unbeaten across 10 games, winning six and drawing four, and a 3-2 friendly defeat to Colombia on March 26 remains their only defeat in their last 15 games.

However, they have failed to win any of their four friendlies this year and warmed up for Euro 2024 with a couple of goalless draws with Bulgaria and Liechtenstein earlier this month, hardly ideal preparation heading into their first match with Ukraine on Monday.

Three players scored three times each in qualifying for Romania - Denis Alibec, Nicolae Stanciu and Valentin Mihaila - and the trio are likely to be relied upon heavily in Germany.

Defender Radu Dragusin and winger Dennis Man are other key players for the Tricolorii, who lag well behind Portugal (sixth) and Ukraine (22nd) in the Fifa World Rankings but just ahead of Slovakia (48th) in 46th.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Horațiu Moldovan (Atlético de Madrid), Florin Niță (Gaziantep), Ștefan Târnovanu (FCSB)

Defenders: Nicușor Bancu (Universitatea Craiova), Andrei Burcă (Al-Okhdood), Radu Drăguşin (Tottenham), Vasile Mogoş (CFR Cluj), Ionuț Nedelcearu (Palermo), Bogdan Racovițan (Rakow), Andrei Rațiu (Rayo Vallecano), Adrian Rus (Pafos)

Midfielders: Alexandru Cicâldău (Konyaspor), Ianis Hagi (Alavés), Marius Marin (Pisa), Răzvan Marin (Empoli), Darius Olaru (FCSB), Deian Sorescu (Gaziantep), Nicolae Stanciu (Damac), Adrian Şut (FCSB)

Forwards: Denis Alibec (Muaither), Daniel Bîrligea (CFR Cluj), Florinel Coman (FCSB), Denis Drăguş (Gaziantep), Dennis Man (Parma), Valentin Mihăilă (Parma), George Puşcaş (Bari)

Euro 2024 Odds

Outright Winners @ 200/1

Romania's best finish at a European Championship was in the quarter-finals in 2000, when they were eliminated by eventual runners-up Italy. Since then, they have appeared just twice at the finals, in 2008 and 2016, crashing out in the group stage on both occasions.

This year, they are the same price as Slovenia to win the tournament and ahead of only Albania (350/1), Slovakia (400/1) and Georgia (500/1) with Betfred. Clearly, it would be a huge shock if they were to go all the way in Germany, an achievement that would probably be on par with Greece in 2004.

To Qualify From Group E @ 8/11

It's expected to be a three-way battle for second spot in Group E, with Ukraine clear favourites to finish behind Belgium. Runners-up might be ambitious for Romania, but three or four points should secure third spot, and could see them qualify as one of the four best third-place teams.

To Win Group E @ 6/1

Belgium are frontrunners to triumph in Group E, and for good reason after an unbeaten qualifying group under Roberto Martinez. With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in their ranks, the Red Devils are expected to sweep all before them in the group stage, with Ukraine providing the biggest threat to their top-spot objective.

It's difficult to see Romania getting ahead of both to clinch first.

Total Group Points - 3 @ 3/1

Ukraine and Belgium are both superior sides with much more talent in their squads, and I think that will show this month. However, Slovakia are certainly beatable, and Romania will be targeting that first game on June 17 as one that they need to get three maximum points in.

They can do it, but they may struggle to get another point on board after that.

Top Team Goalscorer - Nicolae Stanciu @ 5/1

Alibec is the shortest price in this market at 9/2, but due to fitness concerns he did not play a part in either of Romania's June friendlies, and the 33-year-old hasn't played a competitive game since May 9 when he bagged a brace in a 4-3 Emir Cup defeat to Al-Wakra for Qatari side Muaither SC.

Therefore, Alibec is very unlikely to start against Ukraine on Monday, and may not even appear as a substitute. George Puscas (5/1) or Denis Dragus (8/1) could start in the striker's absence but neither particularly impressed in their respective starts earlier this month, and only Puscas (one) scored in qualifying.

Dennis Man is a consideration in this market after scoring 11 times in Serie B to help Parma win the league and gain promotion to Italy's top flight, and he also struck Romania's equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland in March.

However, the 25-year-old had a penalty saved by Bulgaria goalkeeper Ivan Dyulgerov on June 4 which might have dented his confidence and knocked him off spot-kicks for his country.

So, instead, I am backing their captain Stanciu to top score for Romania at Euro 2024. The 70-cap international was joint-top scorer for his nation in qualifying and has 14 international goals in total since making his debut in 2016.

The 31-year-old plays his football over in Saudi Arabia these days with Damac, scoring four times and registering seven assists in 27 league appearances in the season just gone by.

Stanciu will start for Romania in Germany and is likely to play the majority of the minutes, making him a favourable selection compared to the likes of Alibec, Puscas and Dragus.

Place an In-Play bet of £10 or more odds of 1/2+ on Romania v Ukraine or Belgium v Slovakia and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Austria v France.

You can read all our latest Euro 2024 Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.