Euro 2024 - Day 1 Prediction: Action-packed opening game for Germany
After months of build-up and excitement, Euro 2024 finally gets underway on Friday as hosts Germany take on Scotland in Munich.
The two nations have been placed in Group A alongside Hungary and Switzerland, and Germany will certainly expect to sit at the top of the pile once the group stage is over.
As hosts, Germany did not have to qualify for this summer's tournament, but they have tried to prepare themselves with some competitive friendlies since the turn of the year.
Scotland finished second in Group A in qualifying behind Spain, and while they earned plaudits for beating La Roja 2-0, they have struggled since they confirmed their spot in Germany. Their dip in form started with a 3-2 defeat to England last September before they were then beaten 2-0 by Spain and 4-1 by France.
The Scots then failed to beat Georgia and Norway in their final qualifiers, settling for 2-2 and 3-3 draws.
Since March, they have lost 4-0 to the Netherlands and 1-0 to Northern Ireland, and while they are unbeaten in two, they are heading to Germany in relatively poor form.
As Germany v Scotland is the opening match of Euro 2024, there is only one match scheduled on Friday, so we have put together a bet builder for day 1 of the tournament.
Day 1 Bet Builder - 13/4
- Germany to win
- Both teams to score - No
- Kai Havertz to score anytime
Tip1 - Germany to win
Germany have a point to prove this summer, after some frustrating results at major tournaments in recent years.
DFB-Team were eliminated at the last-16 stage at Euro 2020, while they failed to progress from the group stages at the last two World Cups.
This summer, ambitious coach Julian Nagelsmann will be trying to guide them to glory, and they look good value in the outright market.
While Scotland impressed in qualifying, they have won one of their previous nine matches - that 2-0 victory coming against Gibraltar - which does little to suggest that Scotland have recovered from their recent slump.
Germany have grown in confidence as the year has gone on, as they started the year with two wins in March over France and the Netherlands.
Earlier this month, they drew 0-0 with Ukraine before they then beat Greece 2-1.
While Scotland are struggling of late, Germany's confidence is growing, and with the home crowd cheering them on, they should pick up three points on Friday.
Tip 2 - Both teams to score - No
Scotland lost striker Lyndon Dykes earlier this month to injury, and boss Steve Clarke will need to readjust his tactics in order to get the best out of his team.
While Dykes is not known for his goalscoring, he is a mainstay in the team when fit, and there's a lack of goals from elsewhere in the Scotland squad.
Midfielder Scott McTominay scored seven in qualifying, while Aston Villa's John McGinn grabbed three, but the rest of the squad offered very little in that department.
Clarke is also expected to put several men behind the ball, meaning their best chance to score will come on the counter-attack.
Germany kept clean sheets against France and Ukraine, and with Scotland's forward line lacking firepower, they should improve that record this week, especially with Manuel Neuer, Antonio Rudiger and Toni Kroos at the spin of their team.
Tip 3 - Kai Havertz to score anytime
Nagelsmann has already put his faith in Arsenal forward Havertz, declaring that the Gunners frontman will start as Germany's main striker.
Even though he is considered a midfielder by trade, Havertz has scored five goals in his last seven appearances for club and country.
As a false nine, he should find enough space away from Scotland's back three, and he should benefit from the service of Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala.
In Germany's recent win over Greece, Havertz did himself no harm going into the tournament. He registered a few shots on target and found the back of the net, which will have done him the world of good ahead of Friday's opener.
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