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jonjoward1998

Euro 2024 Predictions: Matchweek 2



GROUP A


WEDNESDAY:


GERMANY V HUNGARY


Germany outclassed Scotland in their opening game and their performance was the best I've seen from them in a long time. I can now understand why some people have them as their favourites to win this tournament.


Hungary made one or two mistakes in their opening game against Switzerland and they ended up costing them. They did have a good spell in the second half where they got themselves back in the game. But it was the mistakes that cost them.


Marco Rossi's side got a draw against the Germans at the last Euros and they'll need a similar result if they're to stand any chance of getting out the group.


But I don't see it as I think Germany will have enough quality to come away with the points. Hungary will be competitive, but I can see the Germans' quality shine through here.


PREDICTION: 3-1


SCOTLAND V SWITZERLAND


Scotland were miles off it in their opening game against Germany where they were exposed defensively on a number of occasions.


Steve Clarke's side now have a mountain to climb in terms of making it out the group and they'll be glad that Switzerland don't have the calibre of players like Germany do.


Switzerland are still a decent side though and they showed it in their opening game against Hungary where they were dominant for most of the game.


I was happy that Breel Embolo scored in that one after what he's been through over the last few years and having him back in the squad is a major boost for the Swiss.


Scotland have to show a reaction here but I'm not sure they will as Switzerland are tough side to play against.


Because of this I think the Swiss will come out on top here as they also have decent players in attack as well as in defence.


PREDICTION: 1-2


GROUP B


CROATIA V ALBANIA


Croatia looked surprisingly open in their opening game against Spain, but they did have some decent chances at the other end.


The pressure will be on Zlarko Dalic's side in this one as this game is one they must now lose. Especially with their final game being against Italy.


Albania competed well in their opening game against Italy where they surprised everyone with their fast start.


Their second half display will give them some encouragement heading into this one which is a game that they have to get something from.


But with Croatia having more experience and more quality, I think they'll claim the win here.


PREDICTION: 2-0


THURSDAY:


SPAIN V ITALY


These two sides have met at this tournament on the last four occasions at different stages (2008 - Quarter Finals, 2012 - Final, 2016 - Last 16 and 2021 - Semi Finals). They'll now complete that set by facing each other in the group stages.


Spain looked very good in their opening game against Croatia but despite their good showing, I still wouldn't put them among the favourites to win this tournament.


Their performance will give them a lot of confidence, but they shouldn't get carried away with it. They were probably like that at the World Cup after their hammered Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening game.


Italy recovered well from a shocking start in their opening game against Albania which was a game that they began to take control of after going behind.


Luciano Spalletti's side might not be seen as one of the favourites, but their team is very well set and their squad looks decent on paper.


Their credentials will be put to the test here though as they're up against a decent Spain side who look very good on their day.


This should be a close game because of the quality and calibre of both sides on show. And I think Spain will be the side that will get the job done.


PREDICTION: 2-1


GROUP C


SLOVENIA V SERBIA


Slovenia ended their opening game against Denmark very strongly and their performance during the final moments will have given them plenty of encouragement coming into this one.


I thought they were going to be a side that would defend deep and be difficult to break down. But after seeing the way ended their draw with Denmark, they're also a side who can look dangerous when they go forward.


Serbia were the better side in the second half of their opening game against England as they had more energy and created some decent chances.


These two sides are the underdogs in the group and a good result for either them here will give them a very good chance of making the knockouts.


This will definitely be a close game as both teams will be competitive and tough to break down. But as Serbia have more quality in attack, I think they'll edge this one.


PREDICTION: 0-1


DENMARK V ENGLAND


This game is a rematch of the semi finals from the last Euros which England went on to win after extra time.


Denmark were the side in control in the first half of their opening game against Slovenia and it was good to see Christian Eriksen score after what happened three years ago.


The Danes were beaten by England in semi finals three years ago and they'll no doubt want to use this an an opportunity for revenge.


They have players who can cause England problems like Eriksen but they'll need to take their chances. Something they didn't do against Slovenia.


England made a strong start in their opening game against Serbia and were the better side for the opening 30 minutes or so.


They didn't play with the same energy in the second half where their performance received a bit of stick. But they did hang on for the win which is all that matters.


They'll expect another tough game here as Denmark are a tough side to play against with some decent players of their own.


But I think England will again come out on top like they did at the last Euros as I think they'll have enough quality to do so.


PREDICTION: 0-2


GROUP D


FRIDAY:


POLAND V AUSTRIA


Poland should have Robert Lewandowski back for this one after missing their opening defeat to Holland due to injury. But he was somehow fit enough to be on the bench which I found surprising.


His return will definitely give the Poles a boost here as he's their best player and the player that makes the difference for them in the final third.


I thought Austria would get hammered by France in their opening game and to be fair to them, they did prove me wrong by putting in a very good display.


Their performance in that game will give them a lot of encouragement heading into this one and I expect that they'll put in a similar kind of performance here.


But I think Poland might just edge it as they have Lewandowski back and I can see him make the difference here. Having someone like him in your side always makes a difference.


PREDICTION: 1-0


HOLLAND V FRANCE


Holland might've got off to a winning start against Poland on Sunday, but they did miss a lot of chances in that game.


I'm not particularly surprised by this as their Achilles heal is in attack and has been for a number of years now. If they're not clinical in this one, I can see the French punishing them as they have players capable of killing teams off.


France weren't at their best against Austria in their opening game and I was surprised that Olivier Giroud didn't start. They lacked a focal point up top for most of their game and I think Giroud would've offered them that had he started.


There will be questions over Kylian Mbappe's availability heading into this one after he injured his nose against Austria. There is a mask being prepared for him and if it is ready for him in time, he'll definitely play.


France have to start Giroud in this one as the Dutch have some big defenders in their backline and Giroud is someone who can deal with them as he's very good in the air.


If he starts, I think the French will win as they're a better side with him in it. They might not have Mbappe available, but the French should still have enough without him as they have other players who can step up. Like Giroud.


PREDICTION: 0-2


GROUP E


SLOVAKIA V UKRAINE


Slovakia come into this game with a lot of confidence on board after beating Belgium in their opening game. Defensively they were good and they did what Belgium didn't do in taking their chance.


Ukraine were poor in their opening game against Romania and I was surprised with how poor they were. Especially as they're a side who are usually well drilled and difficult to play against.


I don't see much happening in this one as both sides don't have a lot of quality in attack.


They both had different results on in their respective opening games and both delivered different kinds of performance.


I think they'll both be solid defensively, but I don't see them offering much going forward.


PREDICTION: 0-0


SATURDAY:


BELGIUM V ROMANIA


Belgium were wasteful in their opening game against Slovakia and they were no doubt kicking themselves for the chances they missed. Especially Romelu Lukaku who did have two disallowed goals alongside the other opportunities he wasted.


Romania were excellent in their opening game against Ukraine and I was surprised that they won and with how they won.


I didn't give them much of a chance heading into this tournament and I reckon a lot of people were thinking the same. But they went on and proved me wrong with the performance they put in.


The Romanians will be full of confidence heading into this open but I do think Belgium will show a reaction here.


Dominico Todesco's side have the quality of players to help them bounce back and because of that I think they'll get the win here.


PREDICTION: 2-0


GROUP F


GEORGIA V CZECH REPUBLIC


Georgia had their chances in their opening game against Turkey and they'll gain a lot of encouragement from that. But they'll now know that they'll need to take them next time they're presented with them.


Czech Republic were very unlucky in their opening game against Portugal but they'll still take a lot of heart from their performance. They deserved at least a draw.


The Czech have more tournament experience than Georgia and I can see that okaying a part here.


Georgia will create a number of chances, but I think the Czech will hit them on the counter and use their experience to win this game.


PREDICTION: 0-2


TURKEY V PORTUGAL


Turkey looked good in their opening game against Georgia helped by a wonder strike from 19 year old Arda Guler. He looks set for a big future in the game after an impressive performance.


Portugal weren't at their best in their opening game against the Czech Republic but they did find a way to win thanks to their subs. Finding a way to win is what all top teams and potential future champions do.


They should in put a better performance in this one though as Turkey are an expansive side, and this might suit Roberto Martinez's side.


With the quality that Portugal have and especially in attack, I think they'll come out on top and secure their place in the last 16.


PREDICTION: 1-3

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