ENGLAND are now favourites to win Euro 2020 after Gareth Southgate names his final 26-man squad for this month’s tournament.

There was a mixed reaction to the announcement with just two recognised strikers named in the squad.

Jesse Lingard, James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Watkins were among the six names cut from Gareth Southgate’s plans as Trent Alexander-Arnold got the nod.

The Three Lions boss last week made the decision to name a provisional 33-man squad rather than his final 26-strong selection due to players’ injury concerns and continental cup final commitments.

Southgate has now finalised his Euro 2020 selection, trimming six players after Mason Greenwood withdrew through injury on the morning of the announcement.

Lingard, Ward-Prowse and Watkins missed out along with the uncapped trio of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben Godfrey and Ben White.

Now, according to Betfair, England are the new 4/1 favourites, leapfrogging France who were favourites last week.

Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are 5/2 to reach the final, 15/2 to finish runner up, 7/5 to reach the semis and odds-on at 4/9 to make the quarters.

And with so much exciting attacking talent, England are 4/1 favourites to be the tournament's highest scoring team.

Euro 2020, originally scheduled for last summer, was rescheduled amid the coronavirus pandemic which put an end to one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

The competition will go ahead 12 months later than planned with plenty of interest among the home nations interest.

Scotland will join England in Group D with Czech Republic and Croatia.

Wales will join Italy, Switzerland and Turkey in Group A.

After reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, expectations are high heading into the first tournament Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions will play on home soil – in part, at least – since Euro 96.

Gareth Southgate admits his head will be on the block if England fail to reach the latter stages of the rescheduled European Championship.

Asked if anything less than reaching the semi-finals would be deemed a failure, Southgate replied: “Yeah, it probably will.

“I think we’re realistic about that, we have to live with that expectation. We know the excitement around the team and it’s great, we’re now relevant.

“Expectations were lower (in Russia). We’ve got some exciting players and I don’t think these players are at their peak by any means. I think when I look at some of the players working with us it’s so exciting for England in the future.

“I’ve got to try to manage the expectations for the players. I accept the situation as a manager, there’s expectation, I have to deliver.

“We have to deliver as a group of staff, it’s not about me in terms of if we can be successful. But, of course, it’s about me if we fail. No problem, that’s the gig.

“But for the players, I’ve still got to bear in mind they are a young group, they have still got a lot of progression to make, some are now learning how to win things, being involved in big matches. It’s brilliant for their progress and opportunities for England, that’s what we want.

“Are we ready to win? Well, we’ve been to two semi-finals so the next step is to try to go further.”

Favourites to win Euro 2020.

  • England: 4/1
  • France: 5/1
  • Belgium: 13/2
  • Spain: 7/1
  • Italy: 8/1
  • Germany: 8/1
  • Portugal: 10/1
  • Netherlands: 12/1
  • Denmark: 25/1
  • Croatia: 30/1
  • Wales: 125/1
  • Scotland: 250/1