Euro 2024 Predictions: Matchweek 1

GROUP A

FRIDAY:

GERMANY V SCOTLAND

Germany have been disappointing at recent tournaments but they could do better at this one as they'll have home advantage which gives them a chance.

Some people have them down as one of the favourites to win this tournament, but I don't see them in that category as they're not the team they used to be.

Scotland aren't in the best of form coming into this tournament but they did beat Spain during qualifying and the belief gained from that game will give them confidence heading into this one.

This game looks like a mismatch on paper but on the pitch, I think it will be different.

Steve Clarke's side will definitely be in the game and make it difficult for the Germans because of the team spirit they have and the fact being that they're a tough side to play against.

But I think the Germans will have enough quality in them to get off to a winning start.

PREDICTION: 2-0

SATURDAY:

HUNGARY V SWITZERLAND

I've underestimated Hungary in recent years but not anymore as I know that they're capable of giving any side a good game.

They hammered England 4-0 in the Nations League two years ago and got draws against both France and Germany at the last Euros.

I don't think they'll make it out of the group, but I do think they'll make it difficult for teams and give them a good game.

Switzerland are a side who always qualify from the group stages and I think they'll do the same at this tournament.

They have an experienced squad and the majority of it know what it takes to make it out the group including players like Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka who have been on the scene for a while.

This game might be a bit cagey as they're both tough teams to play against. But I thin Switzerland will just edge it.

PREDICTION: 0-1

GROUP B

SPAIN V CROATIA

Spain beat Croatia in the Nations League final last year via penalties and they'll now be looking to beat them in normal time in this one.

Spain are till a side in transition coming into this tournament as they're building a side that could challenge in the future, like they have done for the last few years. They have a number of exciting young players in their squad including 16 year old Lamine Yamal who could be one of the rising stars at this tournament.

This could be an end of an era for Croatia as it's likely to be the last tournament for some of their experienced players including Marcelo Brozovic and Luka Modric.

But they do have some decent young players in their squad and some of them made their mark at the World Cup including Josko Gvardiol who was one of the players of the tournament.

Spain haven't exactly been a convincing side to watch at recent tournaments despite having a lot of possession in games.

I think they'll start off with a win here as I think they''ll find a way to win the game. But I don't see the performance being a pretty one.

PREDICTION: 2-1

ITALY V ALBANIA

Italy just about managed to scrape through qualifying as they nearly became the first defending champions not to qualify for the Euros. They did end up qualifying, but their campaign wasn't exactly convincing.

They might be holders, but they won't be seen as one of the favourites because of them just scraping through the qualifiers and the fact being that they're still a side in transition.

Albania finished top of their group in qualifying and have been a completely different side under the management of Sylvinho.

But they haven't been in good form since qualifying and are in a very tough group where they'll be facing sides who are far superior in quality.

There are still questions marks over Italy, but I do think they'll have more than enough quality to get their defence off to a winning start.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP C

SUNDAY:

SLOVENIA V DENMARK

Slovenia are back at a major tournament for the first time since the 2010 World Cup and they'll no doubt be the main underdogs in this group.

But I don't think they'll be a side that get hammered every game as they'll set themselves up to be tough to beat. They also have a top class keeper in Jan Oblak who has been one of the best shot stopper in Europe for a number of years. They'll need him on top of his game if they're to have any chance.

As well as Oblak, they also have Benjamin Sesko up top who is already being chased by some of the top clubs in Europe. He'll be eager to prove his worth at this tournament and his team will need him among the goals if they're to get out of the group.

Denmark have some decent young players in their squad which also has a lot of experience, which is crucial going into any major tournament.

Rasmus Hojlund had a mixed debut season at Man United last season, but his form for Denmark has been very good and I can see him a play a key role for them at this tournament. His goals were key for the Dans in qualifying and will be agin at this tournament.

This game will be cagey as both sides are pretty solid defensively. But I think the Danes will just edge it with a goal from Hojlund.

PREDICTION: 0-1

SERBIA V ENGLAND

Serbia will definitely look to cause England problems here as they're a dangerous side going forward with Mitrovic and Vlahovic up top.

With England not looking exactly solid in defence, Serbia's front two will look to exploit that weakness.

England will be among the favourites to win this tournament because of the recent experience they have and the quality of options they have in attack.

They received some criticism for their performance against Iceland last week, but I think the players will have put that result and the performance at the back of their minds and show a reaction.

Serbia will make it difficult for them, but I think the three lions will come out on top with an improved performance and I can see Jude Bellingham at the heart of it.

PREDICTION: 1-2

GROUP D

POLAND V HOLLAND

Poland will be without star man Robert Lewandowski for this game due to injury which is of course a massive blow for them. He's carried the national team for years and is the player they rely on the most to get them out of a tough spot.

Holland are also short on goals and manged to just about scrape through the qualifiers. They look strong in defence and midfield but in attack, they lack an out and out goal scorer and have done for years.

They'll have a good enough squad to get out the group but their lack of a consistent goal scorer is what will stop them from reaching the latter stages.

I still would've had the Dutch down to win this game had Lewandowski been available for Poland. I think it will be a more straightforward win for Ronaldo Koeman's side because of Poland not having their talisman.

PREDICTION: 0-2

MONDAY:

AUSTRIA V FRANCE

Austria will be without captain David Alaba for this tournament due to injury which is a massive blow for them as he's easily their best player.

I can see Austria really struggle without him in their backline because of the leadership and qualities he brings to the defence.

They're already in a tough group and their chances of getting out of it are almost non existent. Especially as they don't have many goals in them.

France are my favourites to win this tournament because they have the strongest squad and the best team on paper.

I think they'll give Austria a good thrashing here and especially with someone like Kylian Mbappe in their side who I think is going to scoop up a lot of awards.

Didier Deschamps' side do have other quality attacking players, but Mbappe is the main one and I can see him and France get their tournament off to a strong start.

PREDICTION: 0-4

GROUP E

ROMANIA V UKRAINE

Not much should be expected from this game as both sides aren't blessed with quality players.

Romania will be the main underdogs in this weak group as they're arguably the weakest team and have no well known players. I don't think anyone is giving them much of a chance at this tournament.

It's good to see Ukraine taking part at this tournament given what the country has been through over the last couple of years.

They'll be playing for their people hoping to do them proud so they can give them something to smile about during these difficult times.

They have more players who are playing at a higher level than Romania do and because of this, I think they'll come out on top here.

PREDICTION: 1-2

BELGIUM V SLOVAKIA

Belgium should walk this group which is by far the weakest when you look at the other teams in it.

This might not be the strongest Belgium team compared to the golden generation, but there are still some quality players in it and they should still win the group comfortably.

Three members of the golden generation are still around in Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jan Vertonghen and having them around will be massive for the younger players in the team.

I'm expecting Jeremy Doku to star for them at his tournament as he's the most gifted of all the young players and I think he could be their replacement for Eden Hazard.

Slovakia won't be fancied much at this tournament but they will make it difficult for teams by being tough to beat defensively.

They'll need to be at their best in that department if they're to get something here as they'll be up against some top quality players.

But I think a moment of brilliance from Kevin De Bruyne will decide this game and hand the win to Belgium.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP F

TUESDAY:

TURKEY V GEORGIA

This group also looks weak but not as weak as Group E.

Turkey are arguably the favourites to finish second behind Portugal as their team looks the strongest out of the other three teams in the group.

They've certainly got more players that are playing at a high level including Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter Milan and Orkun Kokcu of Benfica who is a target for Liverpool. Both players played starring roles for the clubs last season.

Georgia are playing at a major tournament for the first time in their history here and it's incredible for a country of their size to feature at one.

No one will be giving them any chance here as they're the lowest ranked side in the tournament, but they do have one quality player in their side in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who has been a key player at Napoli over the last two seasons.

Their chances of doing well at this tournament will very much depend on him as he's their main man and biggest name player.

Georgia will want to make an impression in this opening game, but I think Turkey will have enough to come away with the victory.

PREDICTION: 2-1

PORTUGAL V CZECH REPUBLIC

Portugal will be among the favourites to win this tournament as they had a good record in qualifying and their squad is looking as strong as it ever has done. Stronger than the squad that one it in 2016.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be determined to end his international career on a high if this tournament is to be his last and it has to be given that he's 39.

Czech Republic will make it difficult for teams as they're a tough side to play against. But going forward they look short on goals.

Patrik Schick was the joint top goal scorer with Ronaldo at the last Euros, but he hasn't been the same player since. He's only netted 3 times for his country since that tournament and his numbers have dropped for his club as well.

Roberto Martinez's side should be too strong for the Czech in this one and I think they will be as their quality is far superior.

PREDICTION: 3-0