It’s that time again for another Predictions article! After previewing UEFA Euro 2024 last week, it’s now time for me to make my Predictions for the most exciting sporting event of the Summer (along with the Olympics of course)!
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
In Group A, Tournament hosts Germany have to tackle Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland. For me, I do expect Germany to win this group, and that’ll be boosted by them winning the tournament opener! In second, I have Scotland to get through to their first-ever Knockout Stages in a major tournament courtesy of a victory in their final game! I then have Switzerland to finish third with 3 draws, and I can tell you now that The Swiss do get in as one of the four best 3rd-placed teams. I then have Hungary to finish bottom simply because I don’t rate their squad too highly.
Group A Results:
Germany 2-1 Scotland
Hungary 1-1 Switzerland
Germany 2-0 Hungary
Scotland 2-2 Switzerland
Switzerland 1-1 Germany
Scotland 2-1 Hungary
Group A Standings:
Germany: 7pts (+3)
Scotland: 4pts (0)
Switzerland: 3pts (0)
Hungary: 1pt (-3)
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, and Albania
Group B is probably the one you could call a Group of Death as Spain, Croatia, and Italy all featured whilst Albania are looking to pull off some surprises. For me, I think Spain will have enough to win this group, but I don’t think it will be easy at all! In Second, I actually have Croatia as I think they’ll win their all-important final group game against Italy. I then have Italy to finish third, but they will make it through to the Last 16 whilst Albania finish bottom with a singular point.
Group B Results:
Spain 3-1 Croatia
Italy 2-0 Albania
Croatia 2-1 Albania
Spain 3-2 Italy
Albania 1-1 Spain
Croatia 1-0 Italy
Group B Standings:
Spain: 7pts (+3)
Croatia: 6pts (0)
Italy: 3pts (0)
Albania: 1pt (-3)
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
In Group C, one of the Tournament favourites England have to face off against Slovenia, Denmark, and Serbia. For me, England will win this group with a healthy 7 points simply because they’re the strongest team here. In second, I have Denmark courtesy of 1 Win and 2 Draws whilst Serbia will finish third with just 2 points, meaning they will play no further part in Euro 2024. And finally, I have Slovenia to finish bottom and their run of not winning a single game at the European Championships will unfortunately have to continue.
Group C Results:
Slovenia 0-2 Denmark
Serbia 1-3 England
Slovenia 1-1 Serbia
Denmark 1-1 England
England 3-0 Slovenia
Denmark 2-2 Serbia
Group C Standings:
England: 7pts (+4)
Denmark: 5pts (+2)
Serbia: 2pts (-2)
Slovenia: 1pt (-5)
Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France
Group D is also a pretty stacked Group as Europe’s best France will have to tackle Poland, the Netherlands, and Austria. For me, I actually have The Netherlands to win this group with 7 points from their 3 games. In second, I have France who will Win 1 and Draw 2 whilst I then have Austria to pick up 4 points which will be more than enough for them to Qualify for the next round. I then have Poland to finish last without any points simply because I feel like these other teams are far too good for them.
Group D Results:
Poland 0-3 Netherlands
Austria 2-2 France
Poland 1-2 Austria
Netherlands 1-1 France
Netherlands 2-1 Austria
France 4-1 Poland
Group D Standings:
Netherlands: 7pts (+4)
France: 5pts (+3)
Austria: 4pts (0)
Poland: 0pts (-7)
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
Belgium enter Group E as clear favourites when they take on Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine. For me, Belgium will win this Group, but it won’t be as easy for them as maybe they expect. In second, I have Ukraine to finish level on points with Belgium, but miss out on top spot by Goal Difference. I then have Slovakia to finish third with a win in their final game over Romania, meaning Romania finish bottom without a single point to their name. To be honest, I’d be very surprised if either Slovakia or Romania prove to be much of a threat for the Top 2, and it’s also worth mentioning that Slovakia missed out on being one of the Top 4 best 3rd placed teams.
Group E Results:
Romania 1-2 Ukraine
Belgium 3-0 Slovakia
Slovakia 0-1 Ukraine
Belgium 2-0 Romania
Slovakia 1-0 Romania
Ukraine 1-1 Belgium
Group E Standings:
Belgium: 7pts (+5)
Ukraine: 7pts (+2)
Slovakia: 3pts (-3)
Romania: 0pts (-4)
Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic
In Group F, Portugal enter as heavy favourites when they take on Turkey, the Czech Republic, and the debuting (in a Major Tournament Finals) Georgia. For me, I expect Portugal to continue their run of being the only perfect team in the Qualifiers by being the only team to pick up maximum points in the Group Stage! In Second, I have Turkey to just sneak through with a win in their final game whilst I also have the Czech Republic to sneak in as the final 3rd-placed team. And finally, I do have Georgia to finish bottom of Group F, but I do expect them to be a lot more of a challenge than people might think.
Group F Results:
Turkey 1-1 Georgia
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
Georgia 0-1 Czech Republic
Turkey 0-3 Portugal
Georgia 1-2 Portugal
Czech Republic 1-2 Turkey
Group F Standings:
Portugal: 9pts (+6)
Turkey: 4pts (-2)
Czech Republic: 3pts (-2)
Georgia: 1pt (-2)
Last 16:
Germany VS Denmark
In the first game of the Round of 16 stage, hosts Germany take on Denmark! It’s worth mentioning that both of these teams managed to make it through their respective Groups undefeated, with Germany picking up 7 points compared to Denmark’s 5. I think this could be a good game, but in the end, I’m backing the hosts to advance!
My Prediction: 2-0
Scotland VS Croatia
Scotland and Croatia will both enter this tie knowing they have a great chance of progressing to the Quarters. Both teams finished second in their respective Groups, with Scotland picking up 4 points compared to Croatia’s 6. It’s also worth remembering that this would be Scotland’s first-ever appearance in a knockout game of a Major Tournament! In the end, though, I think Croatia will use their experience to get over the line.
My Prediction: 1-2
Spain VS Austria
The next game sees Spain take on Austria! Spain topped their tricky Group with 7 points whilst Austria managed to finish third in their difficult Group (with 4 points). Spain are definitely the more experienced team in this one, and that’s why I can’t see them getting beat. However, it’s worth mentioning that Spain have been knocked out of their last 3 Major Tournaments on penalties and rather shockingly, I think that’s going to happen again, especially as every Tournament has at least one underdog story!
My Prediction: 1-1 (Austria Win on Penalties)
England VS Czech Republic
England enter their Last 16 matchup against the Czech Republic as heavy favourites! England topped their Group with 7 points whilst the Czech Republic snuck in as the final best third-placed team. Realistically, England should breeze through this game, and I expect that to happen!
My Prediction: 3-1
Portugal VS Italy
The first true Heavyweight tie of the Knockout Rounds sees Portugal clash with Italy in a battle between the last two Champions! Portugal breezed through their Group with relative ease whilst Italy suffered two defeats and ultimately made it through as one of the best 3rd-placed teams. This is a really exciting game, but in the end, I think Portugal will simply be too good for the reigning Champions!
My Prediction: 2-1
France VS Ukraine
The next matchup sees Ukraine enter as underdogs against a strong France team. Both France and Ukraine managed to stay unbeaten on their way to finishing second in their Group, and you could argue that Ukraine would be well up for this given they’ve already drawn with Belgium. However, this feels like a fortunate draw for France, and I expect them to win comfortably!
My Prediction: 3-0
Belgium VS Switzerland
Belgium take on Switzerland in what I think could be a very entertaining Football match! Belgium won their Group with 7 points whilst Switzerland draw all their games on route to finishing third! Belgium would definitely be favourites for this and they’re certainly the stronger side, and that’s why I’m backing them to win this game. However, I was very close to picking The Swiss at times!
My Prediction: 3-2
Netherlands VS Turkey
And in the final match of the Round of 16 stage, the Netherlands collide with Turkey! The Netherlands managed to top a tricky Group D with 7 points whilst Turkey picked up a win in their final game to qualify for the next round! It’s worth remembering that the Netherlands did a great job at Euro 2020 up until the Knockout Stages, but in the end, I think this year will be different and I think the Dutch are for too good for Turkey!
My Prediction: 3-1
Quarter-Finals:
Austria VS Germany
The first Quarter-Final match up sees Austria try to make history against Tournament Hosts Germany! This is a really exciting game as Germany are unbeaten heading into this game, but Austria have definitely had the tougher fixtures. This is ultimately a massive opportunity for both countries, but in the end, I actually think Austria will edge it and make it to their first-ever European Championship Semi-Finals!
My Prediction: 2-1
Portugal VS France
Another massive game for both of these sides as Portugal take on France in a rematch of the UEFA Euro 2016 Final! Portugal have won 14 games straight in both the Qualifiers and the actual European Championships whilst France are still unbeaten. This is really anyone’s game as both teams are stacked with talent, but in the end, I have to back France!
My Prediction: 2-3
Belgium VS Netherlands
Rivals collide in the Quarter-Finals of Euro 2024 as Belgium clash with the Netherlands. Both Belgium and the Netherlands topped their respective Groups with 7 points and both teams got over the line in what were potentially trap games in the Last 16. I think this is another game that’s close to call, but I’m going to back The Dutch, just!
My Prediction: 0-1
England VS Croatia
And in the final Quarter-Final matchup, England take on Croatia! England have had a pretty nice route on their way to the Quarter-Final stage whilst Croatia have had to work hard to get past some tough teams. England are definitely the better Footballing side, but Croatia work really well as a team. In the end, I think England will just have enough to advance!
My Prediction: 2-1
Semi-Finals:
Austria VS France
In the first Semi-Final of UEFA Euro 2024, Austria step into brand-new territory against heavy favourites France. It’s straight away worth mentioning that France and Austria drew in their opening Group Stage game (2-2), and since then both teams have gone on different paths which has seen them make it this far. Austria have been unbelievable to get this far given the teams they’ve had to face, whilst France have managed to get through some tricky games of their own. In the end, I think experience counts in these situations!
My Prediction: 1-3
Netherlands VS England
The Netherlands and England clash with a spot in the European Championships Final on the line! The Netherlands have done a great job to make it this far given the teams they’ve faced whilst England have sort of breezed their way through to the Final 4. There are big arguments to be made for either of these teams winning here, and I think, after Extra Time, the Netherlands will get the job done!
My Prediction: 2-1 (AET)
UEFA Euro 2024 Final: France VS Netherlands
And after a long and hard-fought Tournament, I have the final coming down to France and The Netherlands! France have made it this far with an unbeaten record and an aggregate score of 16-7 whilst The Netherlands have also gone unbeaten and have an overall aggregate score of 12-4. It’s worth mentioning that I had these two teams to draw 1-1 when they met in the Group Stage. France are two-time European Champions whilst it’s worth remembering that The Netherlands' only European Championship Title came in Germany, 1988! In the end, I think this will be a terrific game of Football, but as we’ve come to expect over the past few years, the top teams always win in the end!
My Prediction: 2-1 (France are European Champions!)
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