Euro 2024 Group A Predictions: Germany to lay down a marker as hosts

Group A at Euro 2024 looks to be one of the toughest in the tournament. Hosts Germany will hope that the home advantage will see them through, and potentially all the way. Then it looks like it is going to be a tight three-way tussle between Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland for the second qualifying spot. It's going to be a really tough group to get out of but should make for excellent entertainment.

Below you will find a guide to each of the four teams and my Euro 2024 Group A predictions, including odds.

Germany 

Fifa world ranking: 16th

To win the group: 2/5

Germany will be hoping that the summer of 2024 can be just as memorable as the one a decade ago, when they won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Die Mannschaft have not been quite at that level in recent major tournaments but they will be fancying themselves to go far at this Euros on home soil.

Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is about to take charge of his first major tournament with Germany and he does have a lot of quality in his squad, which adds to the belief that the hosts stand a good chance of claiming glory this year.

Group A does look like one of the toughest at the Euros but most people envisage that there will be a fight for one spot, expecting Die Mannschaft to progress to the knockout stage.

Key player: Jamal Musiala

A lot of England fans ponder what might have been with Jamal Musiala. The Germany attacker used to be part of the England youth set-up before switching his international allegiance to Germany. Given how many attacking options the Three Lions already have, England supporters can't be too disheartened.

However, that is not to discredit this young man's abilities. He is one of the brightest young stars in all of Europe and is already proving to be a key man for Bayern Munich, but now is the time to be that person for Die Mannschaft.

His record of two goals in 29 appearances may not make great reading but it's his vision and technical ability that makes him such a threat to opponents. I believe that he can live up to the expectation and pressures of a home Euros this summer. Musiala did have an impressive campaign with Bayern in 2023/24, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in all competitions.

Prediction: I can't overlook the home advantage aspect but it is also the quality of talent in Germany's ranks that makes them the favourites to win Group A. They should face tough tests against the three opponents coming their way but they should still be able to record the points they need to secure the more favourable round of 16 tie.

Scotland

Fifa world ranking: 39th

To win the group: 8/1

We are Top Price on Scotland to qualify from Group A

The Tartan Army have done extremely well to qualify for back-to-back Euros but they will know the gravity of the situation before them. Steve Clarke and his players will understand just how tough Group A will be and that they are coming up against some very experienced teams at this level.

Some concerns will have crept in among the Scotland supporters with just two wins in their last 10 matches, and those victories coming against Cyprus and Gibraltar. The latter was most recent and it was the unconvincing performance in the 2-0 win that had some fans unsettled.

Scotland certainly have their work cut out for them to get out of this group and it is going to take levels of performances in which they haven't delivered in a while. However, the adrenalin provided at the Euros could give them the boost that they need. After all, it wasn't too long ago that they defeated Spain 2-0 at Hampden Park.

There is some concern for them heading into their opener with Germany on Friday night after Andy Robertson was seen leaving training with an injury concern, which would not help their chances of qualifying.

Key player: John McGinn

After an incredible Premier League season to help Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League, midfielder John McGinn will believe that he can be just as key for Scotland at the Euros.

His combative energy will be a huge asset in this tough Group but he also offers his team attacking quality as much as defensive. He finished the Premier League campaign with six goals and four assists to his name, so we could see him have an impact in the final third at the Euros.

Prediction: The Tartan Army will make a good go of it in Germany but I do think they will fall short of what's required to progress to the knockout stage. I can see them picking up four points across the three matches but in this highly competitive group, I'm not sure it will be enough.

However, four points and a third-place finish could give them a lifeline as the top four nations who finish third will also make it to the round of 16.

Hungary

Fifa world ranking: 26th

To win the group: 13/2

There are several nations heading to Euro 2024 with the label of 'dark horses' and to some, Hungary take that title. Marco Rossi's side recently saw their 15-match unbeaten run ended at the hands of the Republic of Ireland but it may have just been a blip before the tournament.

Of course 15 games unbeaten is impressive, but the one concern is that Hungary did not face any great nations of note in that run. Qualifying without losing deserves credit but the Euros finals are in a completely different ball park to that of the qualifiers.

They will feel that they still have momentum heading into the tournament and they will be hoping for a strong start to set the tempo for the rest of their group campaign.

Key player: Dominik Szoboszlai

He may have had a bitterly disappointing debut in the Premier League with Liverpool, but no one can doubt the talent of Dominik Szoboszlai when playing for his country.

The Hungary captain has 12 goals in 42 appearances for Hungary and four of those came in the Euros qualifiers. Alongside Barnabas Varga, he was his side's joint-top scorer in qualifying and he will be entrusted to deliver the goods in Germany. He is very good with the ball at his feet, he can pick a pass, score and threatens from set-pieces.

Prediction: It's really tough because there are some good players in this squad and that recent unbeaten run is hard to ignore, but I do think Hungary will fall short of getting the points they need to reach the round of 16 via the top two spots. It could be interestingly close between them and Scotland for third, with the top four third-place finishers also progressing to the last 16.

Switzerland

Fifa world ranking: 19th

To win the group: 11/2

Switzerland are another popular nation for the 'dark horses' label and given the talent in their squad you see why. They have rightly earned this title after they came from 3-1 down against France to draw and beat them on penalties in the round of 16 at Euro 2020. The Swiss left the then-reigning world champions stunned.

Murat Yakin's side have been able to deliver some good results on the international stage in recent years but it never seems to get them as far as they would like. The quarter-finals is the furthest they have gone in this tournament, so it will take something very special from this group to supersede that.

In the likes of Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji, Xherdan Shaqiri and Breel Embolo, they have some talented players who can have a real impact in this competitive group.

Key player: Granit Xhaka

After a renaissance final year with Arsenal in 2022/23, Xhaka returned to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the league title in an unbeaten campaign, along with the DFB-Pokal.

We've been able to see Xhaka deliver at club level the way he is allowed to play for his country and the captain's attributes at both ends of the pitch are going to be key for Switzerland in Germany.

Prediction: Other than Germany, Switzerland are the team I am most confident in progressing to the knockout stage. They have done it in their last five tournament appearances across the Euros and World Cup, so I feel that recent experience will go a long way here. I think it will be tight between them and Hungary but I am leaning towards the Swiss to go through.

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Check out our other Euro 2024 Betting Tips here.