Should the average ages of Euro 2016 squads affect your betting?

When you bet on the the Euros, should the average ages of Euro 2016 squads make a difference? Are younger teams fresher, or does inexperience count against them?

If you’re going to bet on sport at this summer’s Euros, you will want to know everything you can about the teams. The average ages of Euro 2016 squads (excluding goalkeepers) are an important tool for you to tell whether a team is inexperienced, peaking, or perhaps a little past its best.

Best Odds for Young Contenders at Bet365

• England (25.3) @ 17/2
• Germany (25.9) @ 4/1
• Belgium (25.9) @ 11/1

When Spain won Euro 2008, their squad had an average age of just over 26; this was the youngest in the tournament. Four years later, they won the Euro 2012 again: the average age of the team that beat Italy in the final was 27. However, they didn’t replace enough players and at the World Cup in 2014 their average age was over 28. They seemed tired, and didn’t make it past the group stage.

Similarly, Germany fell at the semi-final stage of 2012 with a team aged on average under 25. They kept a similar squad for World Cup 2014, and won with an average age of just under 27. However, they haven’t made the same mistake Spain did; they have replaced players and at less than 26 Germany are second youngest of all average ages of Euro 2016 squads. The only younger squad is England, with an incredibly young squad averaging only 25.3 in age. They also feature the youngest player in the tournament: 18 year old sensation Marcus Rashford. With such youth they’ll likely be too inexperienced to triumph this time round; however, go to online sportsbooks in the UK and put money on them winning the World Cup in 2018.

What average ages of Euro 2016 squads make good bets?

Best Odds for Older Teams at Bet365

• Spain (28.1) @ 5/1
• Italy (28.2) @ 16/1
• Portugal (28.2) @ 18/1

After England and Germany, Belgium and Switzerland have the next youngest average ages of Euro 2016 squads, both at 25.9. This might make them a little too inexperienced to win this time round. However, they surely have a better shot than Ireland, the Czech Republic, and Russia, whose squads area are all on average over 29. Check our our guide to the oldest players in the tournament.

If we treat peak age as between 26 and 28, there are definitely some contenders to bet on. As outsiders go, Turkey, Poland, Austria and Wales are all around 27. Minnows Iceland and Northern Ireland may surprise thanks to having the perfect ages in their squad: they are 27.5 and 27.6. At 27, Albania may perform better than their odds suggest (at online sportsbooks in the EU, you can bet on them for 500/1)!

Italy, Spain and Portugal are all a little older: they average 28.1, 28.2 and 28.2 respectively. They certainly have experience, but tired legs may slow them down if they get to the tournament’s latter stages. Of all the average ages of Euro 2016 squads, the perfect age of a big contender may be the favourites France, at 27.7. The mix of youth and experience (in addition to their incredible array of talent) makes them the best bet to win.

Best Bet: France to win for 16/5 at Paddy Power