Euro 2024: Round 3 Predictions

Round 2 of the Euros Predictor proved to be far more difficult than Round 1, with the community average dropping from around 8/12 to just 5/12. Poor performances from Croatia and England played a big part in that, while there were also a lot of draws which are always hard to predict.

Personally, I had 6/12 with an Exact for Germany's 2-0 win over Hungary, so I'm going OK in my leagues but will need a big round here while there are plenty of points on offer! Things will get more difficult during the knockout stages and there are obviously fewer and fewer games per round.



Here are the Round 3 fixtures along with some brief thoughts on each game. Feel free to drop your own predictions in the comments section!

Scotland vs. Hungary

A massive game to start us off as both of these teams must win in order to stand any chance of going through. Scotland were much improved against Switzerland and if they play with similar intent here they may well win, but I'm hesitant because Hungary have the potential to improve upon their displays and I think Kieran Tierney is a huge miss in Scotland's back three. If Steve Clarke switches up the formation without Tierney then it's a considerable risk, but I feel they'll be much less dynamic with any of the other options for that LCB spot playing. I think both teams will score and I'm leaning towards a narrow Hungary win. Scotland 1-2 Hungary

Switzerland vs. Germany

A win for Switzerland here would see them win Group A ahead of Germany so the hosts need to make sure they continue their strong start to the tournament and I think they'll do just that. Switzerland should give Germany a decent test ahead of the knockout stage which will probably be welcomed by Julian Nagelsmann but I'd be surprised to see anything other than a Germany win. Switzerland 1-3 Germany

Albania vs. Spain

Spain have already won Group B so we might see a little bit of rotation from them here if Luis de la Fuente tries to rest a few players for the knockout stage without harming momentum too much, but they've been excellent so far in this tournament and I think you have to back them to win here regardless of their XI. Albania have done really well to come into this final round on a point and it means they have a chance of a place in the knockouts if they somehow win this game. As I say, I can't see it, but they've surprised us in each game so far! Albania 0-2 Spain

Croatia vs. Italy

A huge game that is practically a knockout match, though Croatia have put themselves under huge pressure with that draw against Albania as they must now win this game whereas Italy are through with a draw so that perhaps tells us how this fixture might go. Italy should and likely will begin this game by looking to win, but if things are level midway through the second half, it's Croatia who will be having to throw men forward and try and force a winner.

I'm always wary of going against Croatia in a big game like this but they've been poor so far in this tournament. The form of Modric and a lack of attacking edge is one thing, but they've been really open defensively too which is very unlike Croatia and it seems as if a win for the Azzurri is the most likely outcome. Croatia 1-2 Italy

France vs. Poland

France vs. Netherlands proved to be a bit of a disappointment with that goalless draw (you can blame me for tempting fate with a silly 3-2 prediction) but France were still the better side for large parts and really should have scored at least once. Poland are already out of the Euros as a result of that draw and their defeat to Austria, so this should be fairly routine for the French. France 3-0 Poland

Netherlands vs. Austria

This should be a really good game. The Netherlands are slight favourites, but Austria have looked as good as many expected and are very capable of a result. Looking at the standings, these teams already look as if they've a reasonable chance of progressing, and I'm just wondering if we see a draw since that would almost certainly get both teams through?

This is of course a flaw in the format of having 3rd place teams progress from 4-team groups but if this is level fairly late on, there's little reason for either side to risk conceding if France are leading against Poland as expected. Even without all of these permutations, a draw feels very possible between two decent sides. Netherlands 1-1 Austria

Denmark vs. Serbia

All of the talk has understandably been about England, but Denmark were good in Round 2 and should have enough to win this game and progress in my opinion. I still have my doubts about their squad's ability to go too far in the tournament, but Serbia haven't been great so will need to improve considerably if they're to capitalise on that lifeline they earned themselves with an equaliser right at the death against Slovenia. Denmark 2-1 Serbia

England vs. Slovenia

As always, the coverage of England's failure to win a game at a major tournament has been pretty over the top in recent days considering the Three Lions are all but through and should still win the group comfortably, but there are undoubtedly changes that need to be made by Gareth Southgate after what was a very underwhelming performance against Denmark. Slovenia have been very competitive in Group C so this is likely to be another fairly close game in my opinion, but the wider perspective of England's campaign hasn't changed - they should go through as group winners and it will all come down to how they get on against a top nation in the knockouts.

In my opinion, England's major problem is a lack of a direct winger that runs in behind on the left side. This was evident when the squad was announced without Marcus Rashford or Raheem Sterling (I know they've been poor at club level but they are important for England in my opinion), but it's still possible to select players who will stretch the game through Anthony Gordon and/or Ollie Watkins. I think that's what we'll see from England in this Round 3 game, as well as Conor Gallagher or Kobbie Mainoo in midfield alongside Rice, which I think should result in a better display. England 2-0 Slovenia

Slovakia vs. Romania

Group E is going to be all sorts of fun on Wednesday with all four teams entering Round 3 on 3 points. That means there are all kinds of permutations since head-to-head is prioritised over goal difference as the initial tie-breaker, but ultimately each team in the group knows that they're through with a win which is pretty astonishing in the case of these two nations. It's a very tough pick between Slovakia and Romania and I've been switching between the two myself so perhaps a draw is the way to go? That would favour Romania since they're a goal ahead of Slovakia but would probably also see Slovakia through. Slovakia 0-0 Romania

Ukraine vs. Belgium

Continuing on from those thoughts, Ukraine are the side on the back foot in this group since this is clearly a tough fixture but they're also bottom of the pile when all teams are on the same number of points which means they're under pressure to win (both games ending as draws would see them eliminated). There was a much improved second half display from Ukraine to get that win over Slovakia but I still have my doubts and Belgium seem the more likely winners with Kevin De Bruyne stepping up well on Saturday vs. Romania. Ukraine 1-2 Belgium

Czech Republic vs. Turkey

Group F is slightly more clear cut in that Portugal have already won the group which means this game will be decisive in determining who will join them. Czechia's draw with Georgia means they must win, whereas Turkey already have a good chance of progressing thanks to their 3 points against Georgia. As we've seen in performances so far, the Czechs are probably the more solid, consistent side but Turkey's inconsistency still means that when having a good day, they're considerably more threatening than Czechia. I think Turkey can win this game, particularly if Arda Guler is back in the starting lineup. Czech Republic 1-2 Turkey

Georgia vs. Portugal

Georgia have impressed in their debut major tournament and could have so easily ended up defeating Czechia last time out it with a golden chance in injury time. However, they were only still in that game thanks to a Man of the Match display from their excellent goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, and he's likely to be a busy man again here despite Portugal already being through. You'd think Roberto Martinez will almost certainly rest Cristiano Ronaldo and potentially other forwards ahead of the knockouts, but in Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos, they still have some options that know where the goal is! Georgia 0-3 Portugal



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How do your Round 3 picks compare?