2019 England Betting Odds: Gareth Southgate Receives OBE

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate gets honoured with an OBE, just as 2019 England betting odds make them favourites for the UEFA Nations League.

2019 England betting odds: UEFA Nations League favourites

Having surpassed all expectations last summer by leading England to a fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, Southgate was named as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours List, per online sportsbooks news.

“It’s a very proud moment for myself and my family, but I’m very conscious that there were plenty of other who helped along the way,” said the 48-year-old. “The team, the players and my staff from last summer were amazing and we couldn’t have achieved what we did without everybody working together.”

“I think I’ve been involved in football for 30 years so part of me is proud for everybody that helped me through that whole period and the clubs I served, and the coaches and teachers that helped me.”

“Of course I’m aware that the recognition is as much for last summer and the work with the team, so I’m very grateful to all the players and all the support team that work with me, because I’m here representing them, really.”

The next task ahead for Southgate is the Nations League, for which the Three Lions are favourites to win7/4 (2.75) the new competition outright. Portugal 2/1 (3.00) are right behind them on the odds chart, the Netherlands 3/1 (4.00) are third, while Switzerland 6/1 (7.00) are outsiders.

(Check out Bet365 Sportsbook review for more info about the online betting site to enjoy 2019 England Betting Odds.)

Russia 2018 a tournament to remember

After reaching the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, England have struggled to make a similar impact at subsequent major tournaments. It took 28 years and the appointment of a relatively inexperienced manager that only a handful of people had confidence in for the Three Lions to match their performances set in 1990.

Heading into the 2018 World Cup, online sportsbooks in UK gave them modest chances of making it to the last four countries in the tournament. However, Southgate’s presence has resonated ten-fold with the squad as they did just that.

They started off the semi-final against Croatia in style with an early lead in the 5th minute with a sublime Kieran Trippier free kick and posed a significant threat to the opposition virtually all throughout the first 45 minutes.

But when the second half kicked off, Croatia made their presence known and their midfield maestros (Modric, Rakitic and Brozovic) started taking control. The small Mediterranean country equalized the scoreline with an Ivan Perisic goal came in the 68th minute; another one followed in the 109th minute of extra-time which proved to be the decisive blow to England’s dreams of reaching the World Cup final.

In the end, the Three Lions had to settle for a fourth-place finish after Belgium defeated them 2-0 in the fight for the bronze medal. Despite not clinching silverware from the tournament, 2018 Russia will still be remembered a significant achievement in England for years to come.