Bookmakers stand by England ahead of 'betting bonanza' for the Euro 2020 finals

Bookmakers are prepared for "the biggest patriotic punt we've ever seen" when England take on Italy in the final of the European Championship at Wembley on Sunday evening.

After keeping them onside throughout the competition, bookmakers are generally keener on an England success, despite the large level of predicted betting interest in Gareth Southgate’s side winning their first major tournament since the World Cup in 1966.

David Stevens, head of PR for Coral, said: "Like all England fans, we've waited 55 years to see the team make the final of a major tournament, and after such a long wait, there's no doubt Sunday's match will spark the biggest patriotic punt we've ever seen, with up to £50 million bet industry-wide on the match by the time we get to kick-off, the majority of it on England.

"Our ideal outcome would see England win in extra-time or even on penalties as a draw after 90 minutes would be a good result for us, but the nation's nerves may not take it!"

Read Racing Post Sport's prediction for the Euro 2020 final

England and Italy have been involved in the two biggest turnover games of the Euros on the Betfair Exchange, with £50,974,119 matched on all markets for the semi-final between Italy and Spain and £49,405,642 on the other semi-final in which England beat Denmark.

Barry Orr, Betfair's head of media relations, is expecting the final to surpass those figures and for punters to engage in a "real betting bonanza".

"England are not a bad result really for us as we've had them on side the whole way," he said. "They would definitely be a better result for us than Italy, anyway.

"We think the match will smash results for the Euros as the two finalists have been involved in the two biggest betting matches of the tournament. It should be well over £50m matched on the exchanges in all markets and it's setting up to be a real betting bonanza."

Read more:

England expects but don't rule out plenty of cards being shown in the final

Italy v England predictions from Mark Langdon: Emerson lively outsider to score

History suggests England will hold their nerve in Euro 2020 final

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