Euro 2024 - Day 2 Prediction: La Roja to get off to perfect start
The first full day of Euro 2024 action sees the second game from Group A and all four Group B teams take to the field.
The defending champions Italy get their campaign underway by facing Albania, who have reached the finals for just the second time in their history, while Croatia and Spain battle it out in what should be an intriguing affair.
The first game of the day sees Hungary, who had a solid campaign at Euro 2020, begin against Switzerland.
Euro 2024 - Day 2 Betting Tips
- Hungary to beat Switzerland @ 12/5
- Spain to beat Croatia @ 10/11
- Under 2.5 goals in Italy v Albania @ 49/50
Tip 1 — Hungary to beat Switzerland @ 5/2
Hungary are one of a number of sides who have benefitted from the introduction of the UEFA Nations League, producing some of their biggest results in that tournament.
The Magyars beat Germany away from home in the most recent edition of that competition and also got the better of England home and away, finishing second in a difficult group that also contained Italy.
They topped their qualifying section unbeaten ahead of Serbia and are likely to prove a stern challenge to all of their Group A opponents.
They begin against Switzerland, who finished five points behind Romania in qualifying and were sent packing 6-1 by Portugal in the last World Cup.
The Swiss produced one of the biggest results in their nation’s history when knocking France out of this competition three years ago but this is a squad that is not getting any younger.
They only have two wins from their last eight outings and have been held to stalemates by Kosovo and Belarus recently.
That level of form may not cut it against a Hungary side that have won four of their last five and have only suffered one defeat in their last 16 games.
Side with the Magyars to spring somewhat of a surprise with a win.
Tip 2 — Spain to beat Croatia @ 19/20
Group B looks, on paper, to be the toughest section of Euro 2024 and Spain and Croatia both have a tough start as they face each other in the opener.
Spain got the better of these two teams on penalties in the recent Nations League finals after a 0-0 draw and they look to have improved since then.
La Roja have won eight of their 10 games since that clash and have put seven past Georgia and six past Cyprus recently.
There was no shame in drawing 3-3 in a recent friendly with Brazil and their youth may tell against a Croatia side still containing the core that took them to the 2018 World Cup final.
Zlatko Dalic’s men have overperformed beyond all recognition given the resources at their disposal, but their chance to win a major tournament may well have passed.
The likes of Luka Modric, Domagoj Vida and Ivan Persic remain but this may be a tournament too far for them.
Spain have a wealth of young talent, namely Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Nico Williams, and that could prove the difference between these two teams in what should nevertheless be a competitive group stage clash.
Tip 3 — Under 2.5 goals in Italy v Albania @ 4/5
Italy arrive in Germany to defend their Euros crown to little fanfare, with few giving the Azzurri a realistic chance of becoming just the second team ever to win back-to-back titles in this competition.
They finished well behind England in qualifying and level on points with Ukraine, they have also struggled to establish their best side, especially in forward areas.
Luciano Spalletti’s men have only scored five times in their last five games and could be frustrated once more by an Albanian side who were solid in qualifying.
The Red and Blacks finished ahead of Poland and the Czech Republic, conceding just four times in eight games, and they could keep this one close.
Under 2.5 goals has landed in four of Italy’s last five games and is the pick again here.
