BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has made score predictions for all 51 games of Euro 2024, starting with the opening group matches. In the first game, Germany faced off against Scotland, with Sutton predicting a 2-0 win for Germany. Despite Scotland’s recent struggles, Sutton acknowledges the team’s effort in testing themselves against tough opponents in friendlies. He highlights the importance of Scotland being brave on the ball and taking their chances to have a chance against Germany.
Moving on to Hungary versus Switzerland, Sutton predicts a 1-1 draw, emphasizing the battle-hardened nature of the Swiss team despite facing a decline in recent years. He also mentions Hungary’s potential, particularly with talented players like Dominik Szoboszlai.
In Group B, Sutton picks Spain to beat Croatia 2-1, noting the quality of Spain’s midfield and the potential fatigue of an aging Croatian team. For the Italy versus Albania match, Sutton predicts a 1-1 draw, praising Italy’s organization and talent while cautioning against underestimating Albania’s direct style of play.
In Group C, Sutton predicts a goalless draw between Slovenia and Denmark, expressing skepticism about Denmark’s chances due to their poor performance at the 2022 World Cup. For the Serbia versus England game, Sutton foresees a 0-2 win for England, highlighting Gareth Southgate’s squad selection based on form and expressing hope to see players like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in action.
Looking at Group D, Sutton predicts a 1-2 win for the Netherlands against Poland, despite missing key player Frenkie de Jong. For the Austria versus France match, Sutton expects France to come out on top with a 1-2 victory, praising Didier Deschamps’ side for their ability to win games even when not playing at their best.
In Group E, Sutton predicts a 1-1 draw between Romania and Ukraine, emphasizing Romania’s defensive record in qualifying. For Belgium versus Slovakia, Sutton anticipates a 2-1 win for Belgium, expressing concerns about Belgium’s defense but acknowledging their attacking threat.
Lastly, in Group F, Sutton predicts a 1-1 draw between Turkey and Georgia, with Turkey looking to improve on their performance in the previous Euros. For the Portugal versus Czech Republic match, Sutton picks Portugal to win 2-0, highlighting the quality of the Portuguese team and the Czech Republic’s goal of advancing from the group stage.
Overall, Sutton’s predictions provide insights into the potential outcomes of the opening group games at Euro 2024, showcasing his analysis of each team’s strengths and weaknesses. His forecasts set the stage for an exciting tournament with plenty of intriguing matchups to look forward to.