Euro 2024 Group A

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Group A Overview

GROUP A – Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland

Despite their recent struggles, Germany, on home soil, are genuine contenders to win the competition. However, their group is not the most straightforward. Scotland and producing some of their best football for decades, in terms of both results and performances, while Hungary, impressive in qualification, are competing in their third consecutive Euros. Then you have Switzerland, higher than both the Scots and the Hungarians in the FIFA rankings, who have plenty of recent tournament experience.

Favourite: Germany

Germany are a team in transition and the start of Julian Nagelsmann’s reign has featured friendly defeats against Turkey and Austria. They face a challenging start against a buoyant Scotland side who will be looking to cause an upset against a side who will be under pressure to deliver both results and performances as host nation. Germany are historically strong contenders in tournaments and the weight of expectation will be there, both from the point of view of a host nation and as a traditional international heavyweight. They have won the Euros on three occasions. Going into the tournament they have received a boost in the form of experienced midfielder Toni Kroos making himself available for selection. The Real Madrid star had retired from international football after Euro 2020.

However, Germany still have a number of top quality players to call upon, including İlkay Gündoğan, Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich, the experienced Thomas Muller, and Kroos and they should have enough to win the group and make a strong challenge for the tournament.

Scotland

Scotland will kick off the tournament against hosts Germany on June 14 and, given their recent performances under Steve Clarke, will have every right to go into the match with realistic hopes of causing an upset against an opponent who are carrying a weight of expectation. Germany will be favourites against Scotland, and are a talented side, but they are in a period of transition and will have added pressure as tournament hosts. 

Scotland have been extremely well organised under Clarke, and acquitted themselves superbly in a tough qualifying group, qualifying ahead of Norway, Georgia and Cyprus, behind Spain. As well as the hosts, seasoned international opposition in Hungary and Switzerland mean it will be a tough task to qualify from Group A.However, the Scots deservedly beat Spain in their qualifying campaign and are capable of causing any team problems. Midfielders John McGinn and Scott McTomminay are quality players, however, the great strength of Clarke’s side is the fact that they are greater than the sum of their parts. A reality check possibly game in the return match against the Spanish in qualifying where they lost 2-0 and a 3-1 home defeat to England, which shows that they still have some way to go. However, they are a dangerous side who are capable of upsetting the odds.

Hungary

Hungary qualified for their third successive Euros in commanding fashion and will be looking to make a serious tilt at winning the group. They drew with Germany at Euro 2020 and thoroughly outplayed England in their Nations League clash. They are capable of mixing it with the best on their day and should not be underestimated.

Switzerland 

Switzerland were quarter finalists at the last Euros and also reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup. They are a good side with tournament experience. However, their qualifying campaign saw them come through in second place to Romania. However, they come into the tournament in need of building some momentum. They made a great start to qualifying but rather limped over the line with draws against Belarus, Israel and Kosovo, and a loss to Romania. Their tournament pedigree means that they cannot be discounted.

Group A Standings

Latest standings.

Group A Odds

Latest Group A odds from bet365.

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Schedule and Venue

Group A fixtures, dates, times and venues.

Sunday June 23: Scotland vs Hungary (Stuttgart, kick-off 8pm)

Group A Summary

Germany remain favourites to win the group, despite a few recent difficulties. The other three sides all have a chance of qualifying, however, the Swiss are rated as second favourites behind the host nation and, should they regain some momentum will probably take the second qualifying spot. However, neither Hungary or Scotland should be underestimated in what is an intriguing group for fans and punters.

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