Euro 2024: Round 1 Predictions

Happy Euro 2024 day, everyone!

We have exactly a month of international football beginning today and it's great to have plenty of you joining our Euros Predictor game on Superbru Football to add some extra fun to what should be a fantastic tournament.

To give you all a second opinion and hopefully get some conversation going ahead of each round, I'll be dropping my own brief thoughts and score predictions for each game in these articles throughout Euro 2024.

For more objective match previews for every single game including team news and expected goal data, upgrade to Superbru Premium. There are also already article previews of each individual group available to all if you scroll down the Superbru Football home tab.



Here's a reminder of the Round 1 fixtures. Feel free to drop your own thoughts in the comments section!

Germany vs. Scotland

This is obviously a tough assignment for Scotland facing the hosts in the opening game of the tournament, but I think it will be reasonably competitive. It's great to see that so many Scots are out in Munich for the game so it should be a fantastic atmosphere but I think Germany will have too much quality. Germany 2-0 Scotland

Hungary vs. Switzerland

This is one of the more difficult picks in Round 1 in my opinion and though I'm very tempted by a draw, I think Hungary might sneak it in a minor upset assuming more people will side with Switzerland's experience. So long as Szoboszlai is fit, Hungary will cause the Swiss defence problems and I'm a bit less convinced by Switzerland's attacking options. Hungary 1-0 Switzerland

Spain vs. Croatia

This is the headline Round 1 fixture as a repeat of the 2023 UEFA Nations League Final (a 0-0 draw before Spain won on pens) and it could easily go either way. I always feel uneasy going against Croatia, but Spain have looked good in their warm-up fixtures and Rodri is likely to be such a strong presence for them as he is with Manchester City. Spain 1-0 Croatia

Italy vs. Albania

As mentioned in the Group B Preview, Albania are in a very tough position as group underdogs because Spain, Croatia and in this case Italy simply cannot afford to not pick up 3 points when facing Albania. That brings pressure for a fairly young Azzurri side in this opener, but they should have enough quality to find a goal and once they do they may well get another since Albania will have to open up a bit. Italy 2-0 Albania

Poland vs. Netherlands

I'm conscious I'm predicting quite a few clean sheets here but I'm going with another for the Netherlands given their ridiculous list of centre backs and Robert Lewandowski's absence for Poland in Round 1. Ronald Koeman doesn't seem to have settled on a best XI and preparation hasn't been helped by injuries but there's still plenty of quality in their squad. Poland 0-2 Netherlands

Slovenia vs. Denmark

I'm not fully convinced Denmark will have a good tournament, certainly not as good as Euro 2020 when they reached the semis, but Slovenia are likely to be the weakest side in Group D so they need to win this. An upset definitely isn't impossible with Slovenia having potential match winners at either end of the pitch in Jan Oblak and Benjamin Sesko though, and I'm going with a draw. Slovenia 1-1 Denmark

Serbia vs. England

For those of you new to Superbru/unaware, I am English so thoughts on England games during this tournament are unlikely to be free from bias. That said, I'm far more concerned for England's chances than I was a few weeks ago with the defence looking a bit shaky because of injuries, and Aleksandar Mitrovic is the type of striker who could capitalise on Harry Maguire's absence. I think Serbia will score, but fingers crossed England's considerable attacking options will find at least couple in response. Serbia 1-3 England

Romania vs. Ukraine

Ukraine's squad is decent and certainly stronger than that of Romania who look unlikely to score many goals in this tournament. I'd be quite surprised to see anything other than a Ukraine win. Romania 0-2 Ukraine

Belgium vs. Slovakia

Given the group stage draw, we might not see this new look Belgium squad properly tested until the knockout stages. They should be pretty comfortable in this opener. Belgium 2-0 Slovakia

Austria vs. France

I'm quite looking forward to this game as Ralf Rangnick has really got something going with Austria and France are obviously quality. Though a French win is very likely, I think we'll see an entertaining match. Austria might be capable of a goal I reckon, but Kylian Mbappe definitely is. Austria 1-3 France

Turkey vs. Georgia

Turkey are favourites here and much will depend on how Georgia deal with nerves/emotions in their first ever game at a European Championships. On paper, Turkey could be very good but I think it's unlikely we see that consistently on the pitch. You'd think they'll have enough to win this game, though. Turkey 2-1 Georgia

Portugal vs. Czech Republic

Finally, those of you that caught the Group F Preview will know that I rate Portugal's chances pretty highly and this is not a particularly good Czech squad. A comfortable win for Roberto Martinez and Portugal is on the cards here, I think. Portugal 3-0 Czech Republic



How do your Round 1 picks compare?