Euro 2016: Why it's lunacy that England are fourth favourites

England have gained plenty of support to triumph at Euro 2016

It's happening again! The England hype is building, with only Germany, France and Spain shorter to win Euro 2016...

Six wins in a row from England since the World Cup, of which at least three have been entirely unconvincing, see Roy Hodgson's men in at 11.010/1 fourth favourites to win Euro 2016.

They have been backed in from a high of 18.0 following wins over Norway, Switzerland, San Marino, Estonia, Slovenia and Scotland (spot the big name).

Some sort of collective amnesia seems to have swept over Three Lions-fancying punters, not for the first time, after the home of football's dismal showing during the World Cup in Brazil, from which they returned with just a single group-stage point.

In their sextet of fixtures since, England have underwhelmed a half-full Wembley by beating Norway in a friendly courtesy of a Wayne Rooney penalty, and were forced to come from behind after a second-half opener from Slovenia at the same ground last time out at home.

Captain Rooney and co have also struggled on the road in Euro 2016 qualifying, only seeing off Estonia in Talinn thanks to a 73rd-minute effort from the Manchester United striker.

While it cannot be credibly argued that the 2-0 Group B away win in Switzerland, along with the 3-1 friendly victory over "Auld Enemy" Scotland at Celtic Park, were anything but positive, two swallows do not a summer champion make.

Furthermore, English punters are clearly letting value slip by the wayside in getting behind their country's France hopes.

Portugal, who also failed to emerge from a tough World Cup 2014 group, look far too big at 34.033/1, particularly in relation to England, having reached at least the quarter-finals at each of the last five European Championships.

Housing the world's best player in their ranks won't hurt either, and Cristiano Ronaldo has helped his country to final and semi-final berths in this competition since 2004.

Even more scandalously, Euro 2012 runners-up Italy can be backed at a full four points higher than England at 15.014/1 to hoist the trophy aloft for the second time, despite defeating Hodgson's charges at the World Cup and being unbeaten under Antonio Conte. You really couldn't make this up.