FRIDAY
GROUP A
TURKEY V ITALY
Turkey's best finish in this tournament came back in 2008 when they reached the semi finals losing to eventual runners up Germany. Repeating that feat this year will be tough as they're in a fairly tricky group like were five years ago in 2016. Wales and Switzerland will be winnable games for them but they'll also be tough due to the quality that those sides have.
This game will be seen as a free hit as they're facing an in-form Italy side who are without a doubt the favourites to win the group. For the Turks to go through they'll need to target results in the other two games if they're to make it out the group.
Italy are arguably the in form team going into this tournament as they haven't lost a game for two years. They won all their games during qualifying and are unbeaten in 27 internationals going back to September 2018 when they lost to Portugal during their Nations League qualifying campaign. They'll be full of confidence going into this tournament because of the form they're in and the quality of squad they've built over the last two years.
Roberto Mancini took over a mostly average squad when he took the job back in 2018 and he has built a very good and exciting team ever since. They're defensively solid and going forward they have plenty firepower as they've scored a lot of goals since he took over. They have a striker in Ciro Immobile who can score goals which they didn't have before Mancini arrived. With their firepower I can see the Italians have a decent tournament.
I'm going for an Italy win because I think they'll have more than enough to win the game. They're great to watch and with the firepower they have in attack, they should win this game comfortably.
PREDICTION: 0-3
SATURDAY:
WALES V SWITZERLAND
Repeating their heroics from 2016 will be a big ask for Wales this time round because there are a lot of strong teams this year. They do still have some of the players from that team around like Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen but repeating their achievement from five years ago will still be a tough ask as a lot of teams have got stronger ever since. I'm hopeful that they'll get out the group as I can see them beat at least two of the teams in their group but I can't see them go as far as they did five years ago.
The Welsh have brought through a lot of young players since missing out on the 2018 World Cup and the majority of them look promising. The likes of Daniel James and Harry Wilson have become key players in this team alongside Ethan Ampadu which is great news for the future of Welsh football. With some of the core players from 2016 still around, the youngsters will hopefully handle themselves well because of the experienced players in the squad who have been in this position before.
Switzerland are a side who always qualify and get out the group but don't go far in any competition. They've never had the quality to reach the latter stages compared to the bigger nations because they don't have the players that those teams have. They have good players in their squad like Xherdan Shaqiri when he's on it but they're not of the same quality the bigger nations have.
They'll try and stay in games as they set up to be hard to beat like they always have done over the last few years. They'll probably be like that in this game as they're up against a Wales side who like to attack due to the players they have in forward areas. The Swiss are reasonably solid defensively but going forward they're not as strong which is why they haven't gone very far in major tournaments. Especially with the tricky group they're in.
I'm going for a Wales win because I can see them nick it here. They've got a good mix of experience and youth and I also think that they have more goals in them than Switzerland do. Especially with someone like Gareth Bale in your side even if he hasn't played a lot of games this season.
PREDICTION: 2-1
GROUP B
DENMARK V FINLAND
Denmark won the competition back in 1992 when they beat Germany in the final. They would sure love to repeat that feat this year like any past underdog would and they'll once again be underdogs in this tournament. They'll have enough to get out the group because they have the quality to do so and I think they'll reach at least the quarters as I can see them win their last 16 tie whoever they get. Going beyond the last 8 will be a big ask for them due to the opposition they could be facing at that stage.
The Danes are fairly solid and well drilled defensively but going forward they might not have enough goals in them due to the lack of a clinical no.9. The strikers in their squad didn't score enough goals for their clubs during the domestic season which could lead to Christian Eriksen being their main supply for goals as he's their best attacking player. They need their strikers to chip in if they're to have a successful tournament.
This will be Finland's first ever game at their first ever major finals and it will be against one of the favourites to qualify from the group in Denmark. The players and fans will definitely be looking forward to this as they've never had this opportunity before and the players will just go out there and enjoy the occasion whilst the fans enjoy themselves supporting the team at its first ever major tournament.
Finland's main man will without a doubt be Teemu Pukki after the season he's just had with Norwich following their promotion back to the Premier League. Pukki's goals were crucial to Finland during qualifying and they'll once again be crucial to them in getting out the group. They'll be one of the biggest underdogs this year with this tournament being their first ever one and they'll need Pukki firing if they're to stand a chance.
I'm going for a Denmark win because they have more quality than Finland. They're strong in most areas of the pitch and because of they'll have enough to win the game.
PREDICTION: 2-0
BELGIUM V RUSSIA
Belgium are currently the world no.1 going into this tournament which should make them one of if not the favourites to win it. It's likely to be the last chance for their golden generation to win something as most of them are in their prime and some of them are in their twilight of their careers. They came 3rd at the World Cup three years ago which was their best tournament finish for a number of years and they'll now look to win this tournament due to their world rankings and the quality of the players they have.
Russia will be looking to repeat their World Cup exploits from three years ago where they reached the Quarter finals when no one gave them a chance. They still have the same manager in Stanislav Cherchesov and they also still have some of the players who were part of that squad which will hopefully help them going into this tournament. If they still have the team spirit they had at the World Cup three years ago, they could have another good tournament you never know.
I'm going for a Belgium win because I think they have a stronger team than Russia. With players like Lukaku and De Bruyne in your side you have every chance of winning a game and I can see them both being the difference in this one.
PREDICTION: 3-1
SUNDAY:
GROUP C
AUSTRIA V NORTH MACEDONIA
Austria haven't had any success in this tournament with their only two appearances in 2008 and 2016 seeing them bow out at the group stage on both occasions. This year should hopefully be better for them as they're in an easier group with sides they'll be expected to beat bar one. That team being Holland who will without a doubt be the favourites to win the group and I can see Austria coming second behind them as I think they're the second best team on paper.
They'll be expected to win this one as they have more quality in their side compared to their opponents and a win for them here will surely give them the confidence to get out the group which I'm expecting them to.
North Macedonia are probably the biggest underdogs in the tournament this year because of the size of the country and the lack of top quality in the football team itself. This will be their first appearance at a major finals and an occasion that both the fans and players will be looking forward to as they have never had an opportunity like this before.
They beat Germany in World Cup qualifying back in March which showed us that they are capable of causing an upset and they'll need to play like they did against Germany in pretty much every game if they're to make it out the group. Winning this one would be a good start even though it's very unlikely due to the quality that Austria have in their side.
I'm going for an Austria win because I think they'll have enough to win this game. They're solid enough defensively and have other players in their side who can nick a goal which should be enough to win them the game.
PREDICTION: 2-0
HOLLAND V UKRAINE
Holland are back in a major tournament after missing out on the last two in Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. Ronald Koeman sorted out the mess when he arrived in 2018 by bringing through young players like Frenkie De Jong, Matthias De Ligt and Donny Van De Beek who later became key players to the side as they qualified for this tournament and finished runners up in the Nations League back in 2019. He then went to Barcelona and was replaced by Frank De Boer who to be fair hasn't had the best of starts.
They should still get out the group and go far in the tournament because of the quality of players they have in their squad. They may be without their influential skipper in Virgil Van Dijk but they do have two solid centre halves in Stefan De Vrij and Matthias De Ligt along with some good players in midfield and attack. With that I can see them reach at least the Quarter Finals as they have the quality to do so.
Ukraine have never gone far in this tournament with their only appearances in 2012 and 2016 seeing them bow out in the group stages. They always seem to find themselves in a tough group but this year could be different as they're in a more open group. Holland will be favourites to win the group for sure but Ukraine could finish behind them in 2nd as they have a chance of beating the other two teams in the group in Austria and North Macedonia.
They have their all time top goal scorer in Andriy Shevchenko as manager and he'll be looking to pass on his experience to his squad so they can handle the big stage as the majority of the squad have never played in a major tournament before. They haven't had much luck in this tournament but having someone whose played in one as your manager will still help massively.
I'm going for a Holland win because I think they'll have enough in them to win the game. Ukraine will make it difficult for them but I can still see the Dutch's quality being enough to win them the game.
PREDICTION: 2-0
GROUP D
ENGLAND V CROATIA
This simply has to be one of if not the most exciting England team for a number of years due to the attacking talent we have. It could arguably be our best squad since 1996 when we reached the semi finals. That squad had top quality players in Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne and Teddy Sheringham whilst this one has the likes of Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford. There are a lot of attacking options in this England squad and it will be up to Gareth Southgate to pick the right one as the Three Lions look to reach the latter stages.
England have played Croatia twice since their World Cup semi final defeat with both of those games coming during the qualifying stages of the Nations League with both games ending in a draw and a win each for England. They'll want to show the Croats how much they've improved since their World Cup meeting three years ago as this game is on a bigger stage compared to the last time the Three Lions met them back in November 2018.
Croatia haven't exactly been the same team since the World Cup but they still managed to qualify for the Euros itself. They lost Daniel Subasic, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic through retirement and those three were a core part of that team alongside talisman Luka Modric. They need to find other players who are capable of stepping up because Modric is 35 and can't carry the team on his own like he did for much of that World Cup campaign three years ago. They'll have enough quality to get out the group but reaching the latter stages is a big ask for them.
Croatia's last win at Wembley came back in 2007 when they ended England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 when Steve McClaren was their manager. They've lost their last two games there since in 2009 during a qualifier for the 2010 World Cup and in 2018 during the qualifying stages of the Nation League. Winning here could be a massive ask as they're not the same team they were plus England look pretty strong on paper.
I'm going for an England win because I think they have enough attacking quality to win the game. Croatia will make it a close game but I can see England's attacking talent being enough to win them the game depending on who starts for them.
PREDICTION: 2-1
MONDAY:
SCOTLAND V CZECH REPUBLIC
Scotland will be happy that they have a winnable game to kick off their Euro campaign because they'll need the confidence to help them through the tough games against England and Croatia. The fans will be up for it with this being their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup and the players will also be looking forward to it as they've never had this kind of opportunity before.
Steve Clarke has built a pretty good side since he's been in charge and he's found a system that suits the players. He has players who have experience of playing on big stages with Andrew Robertson being a Champions League winner with Liverpool and Scott McTominay being a runner up in the Europa League final this season with Man United whilst Kieron Tierney is an FA Cup winner with Arsenal as well as a multiple title winner with Celtic. Those three will be hoping to transfer their experiences at club level to the international stage so the Scots can have a chance of doing well in this tournament.
Czech Republic will be the underdogs in this group as they don't have the calibre of players that the other sides in their group have. But they do have two players who have had outstanding seasons in Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek of West Ham. Those two will be their go to players in this tournament and if they can both deliver the Czech may have a chance of getting out the group.
They haven't had a lot of success in this tournament recently as they've failed to get out the group twice in their last three appearances since reaching the Semi Finals in 2004. The did make the final in 1996 losing to eventual winners Germany but overall Czech never really go far with 3 of their 6 appearances since the break up of Czechoslovakia seeing them bow out at the group stage. This year could end up being a fourth group stage exit.
I'm going for a draw in this one because I think it will be a very close game. Scotland be the more attacking side but I think the Czech will have enough to hold on for a point as they can be well drilled and difficult to beat. I can see them nick the odd goal in this one.
PREDICTION: 1-1
GROUP E
POLAND V SLOVAKIA
Poland are not a side who really go for it in major tournaments despite having a world class striker in Robert Lewandowski. They've relied on him a lot in the last two tournaments and he hasn't always delivered as he scored just once in both tournaments combined. They'll need to spread the goals out around the team if they're to go far because putting all your faith in our world class striker doesn't always work.
The Poles should have enough to get out the group but going beyond the round of 16 looks unlikely as they're likely to be up against one of the strong teams.
Slovakia will be massive underdogs in this group and in the tournament itself as they don't have the quality that most of the other sides have. They have good individuals in their side and they'll all need to step up if they're to do well in these Euros. Marek Hamsik will once again be their main man like he has been for years even if he's not the player he once was. His numbers have dropped over the last few seasons since leaving Napoli and Slovakia will need him to show that he's still got it if they're to get out the group.
I'm going for a Poland win because I think they'll just edge it. They have a top quality striker in their side and I think he'll be the difference in this game. With Lewandowski available they stand evry chance.
PREDICTION: 1-0
SPAIN V SWEDEN
Spain have been underwhelming in the last three major tournaments but we could see them back to their best in this one. They've got some good young players in their squad and are beginning to look like their old selves by playing their old tiki taka style of play. The old guard is pretty much gone with Sergio Ramos not involved and a new one could emerge in this one because of the amount of young players they have in their squad.
They'll be without Sergio Busquets for this one as the Barcelona midfielder wasted positive for COVID. It won't be a massive blow for them as they have Rodri who is capable of stepping up after a strong season with Man City. This could be a great opportunity for him to show why he's Busquets long term replacement.
I was never expecting Sweden to qualify for any major tournaments following the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic yet they qualified for both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020. They even reached the Quarter Finals and finished top of their group at the World Cup which no one saw coming considering that they had Germany and Mexico in their group. They proved a lot of people wrong that year.
They're a good team without any real superstars which they showed at the World Cup and they'll be looking to do the same at these Euros. They're a side that are well drilled and do their jobs for the team.
I'm going for a Spain win because I think they'll have enough quality to win this game. They're looking more like the Spain of old and I think they should win this game fairly comfortably.
PREDICTION: 2-0
TUESDAY:
GROUP F
HUNGARY V PORTUGAL
Hungary surprised me at the last Euros as they finished top of their group ahead of Portugal which I and many others did not see coming. Repeating that feat this year looks very unlikely as they're in the group of death with France, Portugal and Germany. Their chances of reaching the knockout stages look very slim when you look at the group they're in.
England will want them to win the group as they will face one of the teams from this group in the round of 16 if they qualify from their group. Hungary would love to make it out this tough group like any team would but it still looks impossible considering the opposition they'll be facing.
Portugal's current squad is arguably the best one in a long time because of the quality they have in all areas. They've had Cristiano Ronaldo as their main star for years and he still will be in this one. But this time he won't be the only one in their side as they have Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias and the talented Joao Felix. With Ronaldo now 36 and this tournament likely to be his last its good that Portugal have more top quality players in their side.
Portugal were lucky to win the last Euros as they drew all their group games to qualify as one of the best teams to finish 3rd. This year I'm very sure won't be the same as I'm expecting them to finish in the top two with France. They have a good enough squad to reach the last 16 and I can see them win at least two of their group games.
I'm going for a Portugal win because they'll have more than enough to win the game. They have a stronger team on paper and I can't see a repeat of the 33 draw played out by both sides at the last Euros.
PREDICTION: 0-3
FRANCE V GERMANY
France will obviously be one of the favourites for these Euros as they're the world champions and have a very strong squad. They have quality in all areas of the pitch and they'll be expected to be in and around the latter stages of the competition. They haven't exactly been the same team since the World Cup as they haven't beaten sides they're expected to beat but they should still go far because of the world class quality they have.
They beat Germany at the last Euros at the semi final stage with Antonine Griezmann scoring both goals. This one looks more winnable than that meeting five years ago as they're now a much better side and Germany are not as good as they were.
This will the first major tournament for a long time that Germany aren't considered as one of the favourites due to how much they have regressed over the last three years. They did qualify for this tournament as expected but some of their other results since their disastrous World Cup campaign have been poor. They were beaten 6-0 by Spain back in November during the Nations League qualifiers and they were beaten 2-1 by North Macedonia during World Cup qualifying back in March. They need to sort themselves out going into this tournament.
This tournament will be Joachim Low's last as Germany boss and he'll want to go out on a high by going far in this tournament. He probably should've been sacked a while a go but the German FA decided to keep hold of him because of the job he's done over the years. He probably would've been sacked after this tournament if he didn't decide to leave wherever Germany end up this year.
I'm going for a France win because I think they'll have more than enough to win this game. They have more world class quality in the side and with Germany no longer the team they were I think the French will win this one without too many problems.
PREDICTION: 3-0
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