Germany vs Scotland
Friday, 3:00 p.m. ET
The moment all fans of European soccer have been waiting for as the 2024 European Championships kick off with host nation Germany against Scotland. In what should be an incredible atmosphere at the Allianz Arena Munich, Julian Nagelsmann’s side will be determined to right the wrongs of three consecutive disastrous tournament efforts.
The 36-year-old head coach has steadied the ship after a terrible end to the Hansi Flick era with victories over France and Netherlands catching the eye. His front-foot attacking style suits the players he has at his disposal, and a price of -323 reflects how the Germans are expected to dominate this clash.
Scotland will offer stubborn opponents with work rate, togetherness, and spirit as their main attributes. They are out of form, though, with only a turgid 2-0 victory over world-ranked #203 nation Gibraltar, their only success in their last nine internationals.
Injuries have cut deep into the Tartan Army, particularly in forward areas, with Scott McTominay’s seven-goal performance in qualifying unsustainable. I can’t see them scoring here, so betting on a Germany “win-to-nil” (or Germany to win and under 0.5 Scotland goals in a same-game parlay) comes in at a very attractive -129.
Euro 2024 Best Bet: Germany vs Scotland – Germany to win to nil at -129.
Poland vs Netherlands
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. ET
Poland have been rocked by the news that captain and star striker Robert Lewandowski will not be available for this clash after picking up an injury in their final warm-up game ahead of the tournament. That is the latest in a series of injuries for a nation that already looked up against it in a tough group.
In contrast, the Netherlands come into this opening match in great heart. They won both of their warm-up fixtures 4-0 and will fancy their chances of racking up a few goals against a side that only kept clean sheets against Albania and minnows the Faroe Islands in qualifying.
The last international competition saw the Netherlands reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup before losing on penalties to eventual winners Argentina. They won three games in Qatar, including their opening group game, all by a two-goal margin.
I can see that trend continuing here and like the Netherlands on the -1 Asian Handicap. Victory by two or more goals means we cash the ticket while success by a one-goal margin will see us receive a full refund of our stake.
I wanted to fade Poland in this tournament before the news broke of Lewandowski’s injury. Now I am going to double down.
Ronald Koeman’s side won their last three games in the qualification stage and have followed that up by winning three of their four warm-up fixtures ahead of this tournament. All six of those victories came without conceding a goal.
In Virgil van Dijk, Stefan de Vrij, Mickey van de Ven, Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake, the Dutch are blessed with an elite stable of central defenders. That is more than enough to secure another shutout against the Poles, who also have a doubt over attacker Karol Swiderski on top of the confirmed absence of Juventus’ Arkadiusz Milik as well as Lewandowski.
Euro 2024 Best Bet: Poland vs Netherlands – Netherlands -1.0 Asian Handicap at -105.
Euro 2024 Best Bet: Poland vs Netherlands – Netherlands to win to nil at +123.
Serbia vs England
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET
This will be my sixth major tournament following England, and the usual optimism has been replaced by expectation. I was very hopeful that I would finally get to see my team lift some silverware. That was until the final 26-man squad was announced.
There is no room for game-changers Jack Grealish, James Maddison, or Marcus Rashford, with key centerback Harry Maguire missing out through injury. For this opening game, there are question marks about the defense. Maguire’s usual partner, John Stones, is doubtful with illness, and there is no specialist left back, which means, unusually, the Three Lions look set to concede.
Serbia are a massive threat in attack with the prolific Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović supported by the assist machine that is Dušan Tadić. Defensively they generally fall short as was the case in the 2022 World Cup where they leaked eight goals in losing their three group games conceding at least twice in each.
That makes both teams to score a massive play at plus money. Gareth Southgate will have Harry Kane leading the line having scored 44 goals across 45 appearances in his first season in Germany with Bayern Munich. He will be supported by the world-class trio of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.
Euro 2024 Best Bet: Serbia vs England – Both Teams to Score Yes at +104.
Romania vs Ukraine
Monday, 9:00 a.m. ET
Ukraine enters this tournament as everyone’s “second favorite team” and it is a feat in itself that Serhiy Rebrov has led his side to the Euros. Since the invasion by Russia, their entire qualification campaign has been played out away from home. They will at least be used to a game being played on neutral territory.
As well as having the support behind them, Ukraine also has the quality on the pitch to ruffle a few feathers. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin excelled in helping Real Madrid to La Liga glory and the Champions League final while at the other end of the pitch they can call on La Liga’s top scorer in Girona’s Artem Dovbyk.
Romania posted an unbeaten qualifying campaign, surprisingly topping their group ahead of Switzerland. However, I am not convinced by them. Although they can be stubborn in defense, they are blunt in attack, as shown by a pair of 0-0 draws in their final warm-up fixtures against Bulgaria and Liechtenstein. Ukraine have the tools to eventually find a way, and at plus money, I am happy to take them on the moneyline.
Euro 2024 Best Bet: Romania vs Ukraine – Ukraine Moneyline at +100.
Belgium vs Slovakia
Monday, 12:00 p.m. ET
After a massively disappointing showing at the 2022 World Cup Roberto Martinez stepped down as Belgium’s head coach and was replaced by Domenico Tedesco. The surprise appointment has so far been a masterstroke with the Red Devils undefeated in his 14 games in charge including all eight qualifiers for this tournament.
Tedesco has Romelu Lukaku firing again, with the Chelsea man smashing in a record 14 goals over that qualifying campaign with Kevin de Bruyne still one of the best creators on the planet supplying the ammunition. Those two are supplemented by the explosive pace and energy of new additions to the squad like Jeremy Doku and Johan Bakayoko.
Belgium won all three group games at the last Euros going on to win three of their four games without conceding. They opened the campaign with a 3-0 defeat of Russia, and I can see a similar outcome here. Slovakia are solid if unspectacular but often come up short against the elite and it will be how Francesco Calzona’s side perform against Romania and Ukraine that will determine if they progress.
Euro 2024 Best Bet: Belgium vs Slovakia – Belgium to win to nil at +125.
Turkey vs Georgia
Tuesday, 12:00 p.m. ET
At this stage ahead of the 2020 Euros, Turkey were being flagged up by many people as the dark horse for the tournament. It could not have gone more wrong with three straight defeats to Italy, Wales and Switzerland, seeing them exit at the earliest opportunity.
They are certainly flying more under the radar this time around despite topping a qualification group that included Croatia and the Welsh as well as beating Germany in a friendly held in Berlin. Since being named head coach in September Vincenzo Montella is unbeaten in competitive action and will want to get off to a flying start in a group that also contains Portugal and the Czech Republic.
I think at -127, Turkey represent decent value and their experience should get them over the line against the only debutants at this year’s finals. Georgia are in Germany despite finishing fourth of five in their qualifying group, losing half of their eight games including a 7-1 thrashing at home to Spain.
Euro 2024 Best Bet: Turkey vs Georgia – Turkey Moneyline at -127.
