England handed comfortable draw for Euro 2020 qualification

England are 8-1 to win Euro 2020 following a favourable draw which took place in Dublin on Sunday.

The top two teams from each group will qualify directly for the finals with four teams coming through the Nations League playoffs, but Gareth Southgate should not have to worry too much about that backdoor entry after being picked to play Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Kosovo.

England are only 1-5 to win Group A which highlights the comfortable nature of the section with the limited Czechs likely to put up the stiffest challenge. Bet365 make England 4-9 to finish the group unbeaten and 7-2 to win every match.

The finals will be played across the continent with the semi-finals and final at Wembley so it should feel like a home tournament for England if they can reach the latter stages as the Three Lions look to build on reaching the last four of the World Cup and Nations League.

As a top seed England were always likely to have things easy as long as they avoided fallen giants Germany in pot two.

Unfortunately for Northern Ireland they were drawn with the 2014 world champions and rejuvenated Holland which is going to make life extremely tough for Michael O'Neill's outfit trying to split those two big guns. Estonia and Belarus complete the section.

Ireland, who are 6-1 to win Group D, are in with a number of familiar foes, not least Denmark, who eliminated the Boys in Green from the World Cup at the playoff stage.

Switzerland were not the most difficult of pot one seeds, however, so new boss Mick McCarthy will be aiming for a top-two spot. Georgia and Gibraltar are also in Group D.

Scotland know they will have a playoff opportunity at worst given their Nations League promotion, but Alex McLeish's side will believe second spot is a real possibility in Group I behind overwhelming favourites Belgium.

Russia are beatable second seeds with Cyprus, Kazakhstan and San Marino also involved.

Wales have also been handed a decent chance to qualify from Group E alongside World Cup finalists Croatia. Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan should hold few fears for Ryan Giggs's team.

World Cup winners and European Championship favourites France are not expected to have any issues toppling Iceland, Turkey, Albania and Moldova.

Euro 2020 qualifying draw

Group A: England, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo

Group B: Portugal, Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Luxembourg

Group C: Holland, Germany, Northern Ireland, Estonia, Belarus

Group D: Switzerland, Denmark, Ireland, Georgia, Gibraltar

Group E: Croatia, Wales, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan

Group F: Spain, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Faroe Islands, Malta

Group G: Poland, Austria, Israel, Slovenia, Macedonia, Latvia

Group H: France, Iceland, Turkey, Albania, Moldova, Andorra

Group I: Belgium, Russia, Scotland, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, San Marino

Group J: Italy, Bosnia, Finland, Greece, Armenia, Liechtenstein

The top two from each group will qualify automatically and be joined in the finals by four Nations League playoff winners.

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport