UEFA Euro 2024 Preview: Groups A, B & C
A match-by-match look at the first three UEFA European Championship groups to decide who is going through to the round of 16
I think over the past 72 hours I have read, watched and listened to every single Euro 2024 preview that has been committed to the internet, and so desperate am I for more to exist that I thought it best to create my own. Were I to visit a doctor now, I would be diagnosed with an increasingly severe case of Euros fever.
Hopefully, you are suffering from the same ailment, and will indulge in this, my preview for Groups A, B and C at the UEFA European Championship. As you may have guessed, the preview for the other three groups will follow soon.
Rather than preview the whole tournament, I will save the knockout stages for a separate preview. Not only then can I look ahead to eight Round of 16 matches that will actually happen, but you don’t get to laugh at my dreadful prediction skills.
And, rather than just going “yeah, they’ll top that”, I want to go match-by-match and guess exactly how these groups will play out. I see the irony of doing predictions after my article on how “no one” will win the Euros, but anyway… Let’s go.
Group A
Starting off with the group containing the host nation, one of the dark horses, the team who always seems to make it through and the team who never makes it through.
Germany vs Scotland
Scotland playing the opening game against a powerhouse - looks like we’re back in 1998 and seven-year-old me is about to watch his first World Cup match. Like against Brazil, I expect them to come up short against Germany. Opening day atmosphere alone should be enough for the hosts to prevail, but their improved form of late suggests they are getting back to something like their best. Germany win.
Hungary vs Switzerland
Many people’s fancy to do well, Hungary, start off with the perennially tricky opponent, Switzerland. With Germany to come, both will be desperate not to lose this, so a cagey game can be expected. Draw.
Germany vs Hungary
I have to say, I am also excited to see how Hungary get on, and their first major test comes on matchday two against Germany. As improved as Germany have been, I cannot see them taking all nine points in this group, and it will be Marco Rossi’s men who hold them in Stuttgart to a… Draw.
Scotland vs Switzerland
Expecting Switzerland matches to be drab is hack these days, and their performance at Euro 2020 proved they can entertain. But an underwhelming qualifying campaign and a lack of goals suggests they have reverted to perceived type. Scotland are struggling for form and goals, so if any match looks like a 0-0, it’s this. Draw.
Switzerland vs Germany
I promise not to sit on the fence any longer (for this group at least). Onto the final matchday, I expect Switzerland to come out fighting and perhaps breach the German defence, but the host nation will hold them off for a narrow win. Germany win.
Scotland vs Hungary
Having not been able to open the tank in their opening two matches, I expect Hungary to go all out against Scotland and get the victory, getting through the group unbeaten. Hungary win.
Group A standings
So, it’s the three-time winning hosts first, the dark horses second and the never-qualifiers last. Not exactly an outlandish prediction, but only two points for the Swiss means the team who always makes the knockouts won’t do so this time.
1. Germany 7
2. Hungary 5
3. Switzerland 2
4. Scotland 1
Group B
Group D’s rival for official “group of death” status, featuring three-time winners Spain, holders Italy, consistent overachievers Croatia and… Albania. This is going to be box office from start to finish.
Spain vs Croatia
Croatia’s record at the Euros is no where near as good as their World Cup record. Three times they have been to the semis in the global tournament, yet they have never reached the last four in the continental version. Contrary to popular belief and the slagging off of Alvaro Morata, Spain do actually have goal scorers in their side. They might not get the five they managed in the 5-3 between these sides in the last Euros, but I see them edging this one. Spain win.
Italy vs Albania
“The champions’ curse” is usually reserved for the World Cup, but the first Saturday of the tournament will provide the first major upset. Albania are well organised and have called up plenty of players from Europe’s top five leagues, including 10 from Serie A. They will know what they are up against and are more than capable against an unfancied Italy. Draw.
Croatia vs Albania
The Balkan battle will have extra spice if Albania are indeed ahead of Croatia in the table after the first matchday. A buoyant Albania will make under pressure Croatia work, but Zlatko Dalic’s men seem to thrive in the high-stakes moments. Croatia win.
Spain vs Italy
On paper, one of the standout fixtures in the group stage, in reality (OK, I’m going a little far in calling my predictions “reality”) a dull affair. Italy will use all their defensive nous to kill off the Spanish attack, which - contrary to what I said a moment ago - can have its off days. Draw.
Albania vs Spain
The clear outsiders in a group with three heavy hitters always wins over the neutrals at major tournaments, especially when they get a result, and that will be the case for Albania. However, in their third match they will run out of steam and Spain, needing at least something to guarantee qualification, should be too strong. Spain win.
Croatia vs Italy
Now this, THIS, is going to be exciting. Italy will have to show what they’ve got in attack, while experienced Croatian heads will look to control a game where they know a point should be enough. It will be tense, but a third consecutive point for the reigning champions is my prediction. Draw.
Group B standings
It’s not a maximum but the next best thing for Spain, who finish three clear of Croatia. Italy will be left hoping they can replicate Portugal’s 2016 story, but you will have to find out in my Groups D, E and F preview if they have made it through at all.
1. Spain 7
2. Croatia 4
3. Italy 3
4. Albania 1
Group C
The only question pretty much everyone has in this group is who will finish second behind England. Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia will be involved in a fantastic three-way tussle - let’s see how it plays out.
Slovenia vs Denmark
Denmark will be aiming to bounce back after a dismal display in Qatar, but I’m not sure they will. Sometimes an elite goalkeeper like Jan Oblak and an emerging centre forward like Benjamin Šeško are all you need for an upset, and I’m tipping Slovenia to pull one off here. Slovenia win.
England vs Serbia
If this isn’t a goal-fest, then we might as well pack up and go home. Two teams with superb attacking options who look light at the back… 0-0 written all over it! I expect Serbia to score, but England to score a couple more. England win.
Slovenia vs Serbia
FR Yugoslavia coming from 3-0 down to draw with Slovenia in the latter’s first major tournament match was a classic back at Euro 2000. I am not sure if there will be as many goals this time, but Serbia should have too much, just. Serbia win.
Denmark vs England
England always tend to have one off day in the group stage; see Scotland in 2021 and USA in 2022. If it happens again this time, it will likely come against a Danish team who will already be desperate for a result. A late winning rebound from a missed penalty was all that split them in the Euro 2020 semi-final, expect similar. Draw.
England vs Slovenia
The English media machine will settle down again after England prove too strong for Slovenia, who may hold out for a while before English reinforcements make it look more comfortable. England win.
Denmark vs Serbia
We should not read too much into pre-tournament friendlies, but Serbia’s 3-0 away win against a strong Sweden proved they can actually defend. Denmark struggled to beat the same team at home a few days earlier. Seems like I am reading into it too much, but Serbia, knowing a draw should be enough, can keep Denmark at bay. Draw.
Group C standings
For me, Denmark are not the same side they were three years ago, though it is so tight between them, Serbia and Slovenia that I would not be surprised if the order was reversed. Slovenia will have to hope they don’t concede too many to England, as their negative goal difference could be their undoing.
1. England 7
2. Serbia 4
3. Slovenia 3
4. Denmark 2
The story so far…
With half the groups done, I have Switzerland, Scotland, Albania and Denmark heading home early; Germany, Hungary, Spain, Croatia, England and Serbia going through; and Italy and Slovenia sweating on results from elsewhere!
The second group stage preview will be released in a couple of days, but make sure to check back here in a couple of weeks to laugh at how wrong I was!
Anthony Tomas is a football writer and commentator, who writes for Flashscore and World Soccer Magazine.