UEFA Euro 2024: B/R Group-Stage Staff Predictions
The eyes of Europe will be on Germany as the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship gets underway Friday with the hosts taking on Scotland.
The tournament will be a month-long roller-coaster ride featuring the best players in the world vying for national glory and perhaps making a case for themselves to win the Ballon d'Or.
So, who's moving on to the knockout rounds?
The B/R World Football Staff got together to provide their predictions for the group stage.
Disagree with any of their selections? Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section of the app.
Group A: Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Scotland
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Though Scotland and Hungary will be formidable opponents, Group A has two front-runners in Germany and Switzerland.
Die Mannschaft head into the Euros looking to make the final in Berlin on July 14. Under the guidance of the tactically cerebral Julian Nagelsmann, they will be one of the tournament favorites.
As for Switzerland, the Rossocrociati always have solid outings in international competition, making the round of 16 in every World Cup since 2014.
Prediction: Germany, Switzerland
- Alex Windley
Hosts Germany have landed a reasonably tough group, especially considering the national team's form has been lackluster for the best part of two years.
However, with every game being a home fixture, the hosts should top the pool.
Scotland surprised many by qualifying ahead of Norway, but a run of one win (against Gibraltar) in their last nine games isn't the best way to enter a major tournament.
Switzerland, with newly minted Bundesliga champion Granit Xhaka leading the way, should squeeze through in second. Dominik Szoboszlai and Hungary will be a difficult test but won't make it past the group stage.
Prediction: Germany, Switzerland
- Leo Collis
It would take a brave person to go against Germany winning this group in front of their own fans. It's a nice draw for the hosts, who will be challenged against sturdy teams, but they should progress without too much trouble.
Switzerland are an experienced tournament side that should hold off plucky underdogs Hungary and Scotland for second place.
Prediction: Germany, Switzerland
- Nick Akerman
You simply aren't going to look at this group and have anyone but Germany at the top of the pile heading into the knockout stage. Too strong in every aspect, and as hosts, you have to pick them to come out on top.
After that, it's anyone's guess. Switzerland and Hungary are talented, with the likes of Xhaka and Szoboszlai in their respective midfields. But for some reason, I can't look past Scotland for second place.
Prediction: Germany, Scotland
- Shane Evans
Group B: Spain, Italy, Croatia and Albania
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Welcome back, Italy. After missing the last two editions of the World Cup, the Azzurri find themselves back in a major tournament. However, the strength of Spain and Croatia will be too much for Luciano Spalletti's men, which may see the defending champions bow out in the group stage.
Prediction: Spain, Croatia
- Alex Windley
Are we calling this one the Group of Death? Reigning champions Italy, three-time Euros winners Spain and a Croatia side that has reached the final four in the last two World Cups is a solid group in terms of recent history—although that doesn't always count for a lot in international football.
Albania, sadly, will be no match for these teams and will prop up the Group B standings.
Spain just about look like favorites to finish top following a near-flawless qualifying campaign, and they boast one of the deepest squads at the tournament.
Italy might not look as strong as in recent years on paper, having lost some international stalwarts since they lifted the trophy in 2021, but they should have enough to edge out Croatia, whose golden years appear to be coming to an end.
Prediction: Spain, Italy
- Leo Collis
This one is really tough.
You could conceivably make arguments for any of Spain, Italy and Croatia winning the group or coming second.
Spain are the best side in this quartet and have been racking up the goals recently, while Italy remain their hard-to-beat selves who have only scored more than one goal on two occasions in their last five games. They've only lost two of their last 11, though.
As ever, Croatia are a danger for everyone; never fancied, but seemingly always going far.
Prediction: Spain, Italy
- Nick Akerman
It'll always be a very tough group when you've got the likes of Spain and Italy vying for position...but throw in perennial dark-horse Croatia, and it's a full-on party.
I like Spain to move on, given the underdog nature of a squad (Alvaro Morata as captain?) that also happens to be loaded with young talent (mostly Barcelona players).
From there, it's a lot less clear.
The Italians are coming in as holders, but they will struggle against Spain and Croatia, both of whom will have less pressure to perform given their current situations.
Italy are primed for another disappointment after a difficult time on the world stage after missing two straight World Cups.
Prediction: Spain, Croatia
- Shane Evans
Group C: England, Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia
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England look competitive and will presumably cruise to the round of 16. With an in-form Jude Bellingham and a squad that looks harmonious, the Three Lions will be a tricky team to stop.
Just after them, Denmark should comfortably finish in second place. With a veteran-heavy roster that has a smattering of exciting young talent, the Danes should have no trouble getting through.
Prediction: England, Denmark
- Alex Windley
It won't be as easy as they'd like, but England and Denmark will take the top two spots.
Serbia are notoriously tough opponents, while Denmark met Slovenia in qualifying and managed one draw and one win.
England always have the propensity to underwhelm on the big stage, and despite reaching the latter rounds at the last few major tournaments and boasting some world-class talent, performances tend to be on the dull side. Against teams like Serbia and Denmark, that could result in disappointing draws.
The last game of the group stage could be a bit nervy for all.
Prediction: England, Denmark
- Leo Collis
The tag of pre-tournament favourites doesn't help England.
The Three Lions are renowned for falling below expectations, but they reached the Euro 2020 final and semis of the World Cup in 2018.
Quarter-final defeat to France at the last World Cup was a sobering moment for Gareth Southgate. He needs to win this tournament or likely be moved on.
Denmark seem to stick closely with England in major competitions and should overcome decent sides in Serbia and Slovenia to progress.
Prediction: England, Denmark
- Nick Akerman
England are doing everything in their power to prove those people who labeled them as favorites as being very wrong as we near the tournament.
Losing a final tune-up game against world No. 72 Iceland, without scoring a goal, at home...is not a good look. And a really imbalanced squad with Southgate as manager doesn't instill much hope
Having said that, the talent at the front end of the team rivals anyone else in the tournament, and they should do enough to see the Three Lions through.
Joining them will be another perennial dark horse in Denmark, who are strong up and down the pitch...enough so to claim top spot.
Prediction: Denmark, England
- Shane Evans
Group D: France, Netherlands, Poland and Austria
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While everyone loves an underdog, unfortunately, Poland and Austria will take a back seat to France and the Netherlands.
The Dutch go into the tournament on a good run of form, winning five out of their last six matches. Looking at France, Les Blues will seek redemption after their heartbreaking loss to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup Final.
Prediction: France, Netherlands
- Alex Windley
France and the Netherlands will go through in the top two spots comfortably.
The pair will be sick of the sight of each other after meeting in the qualifying rounds, with France winning both meetings by a cumulative score of 6-1. The Netherlands, though, will just be glad to make it to the knockout rounds and take things from there.
Poland finished third in their qualifying group and only reached the tournament proper by virtue of a penalty-shootout win over Wales. Robert Lewandowski is still a threat, but he doesn't have the supporting cast, and at 35 years old, he is well past his fearsome prime.
Austria, will pick up one win against the Poles, but that's as good as their tournament will get.
Prediction: France, Netherlands
- Leo Collis
No real surprises here.
France head into this tournament off the back of a World Cup final defeat, but guess what? There's no Lionel Messi in this competition.
Kylian Mbappé and friends should have enough to outlast a Netherlands squad that is struggling with injuries.
Poland and Austria are exciting teams, but they won't have enough to take down the two giants.
Prediction: France, Netherlands
- Nick Akerman
A stacked group with four teams who could all conceivably finish in the top two ports, it's hard to look past two of the favorites.
Leading the way are France who boast the best player in the world, Kylian Mbappé and a roster that could field multiple group-winning XIs.
Unless there is a catastrophic meltdown in the France or Netherland teams, they both will go through despite strong resistance from Austria and Poland.
Prediction: France, Netherlands
- Shane Evans
Group E: Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia and Romania
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Although Belgium's 'Golden Generation' has almost aged out, the Red Devils still have enough class and quality to potentially make a deep run in the knockout stages.
Ukraine look dangerous as well, finishing third in their Euro qualification group.
Prediction: Belgium, Ukraine
- Alex Windley
Belgium might be the perceived favorites to go through as group winners thanks to the undoubted talent in their squad—although the standard is perhaps the lowest it has been for the last decade.
However, they've had a relatively weak run of opponents over the previous 24 months, which might cost them top spot.
Being relatively untested for big battles in recent times will be detrimental, especially in a group featuring a Romania team that went undefeated in qualifying and a Ukraine side that fought hard to make the tournament.
The latter finished third in a group that featured England and Italy and had to beat Iceland in the playoff final. That experience should serve them well in Germany, leading to a mild upset for Belgium.
Slovakia's second-place finish in qualifying looks impressive until you examine the quality of their opponents, and they won't see such good fortune this time around.
Meanwhile, Romania's stout defense won't make up for a lack of talent up front.
Prediction: Ukraine, Belgium
- Leo Collis
All this talk of Belgium's golden generation wasting away, yet there's still a formidable side here when things click.
This should be a straightforward group for the Red Devils to traverse, although Ukraine have it in them to make an impact on this tournament if star players such as Mykhailo Mudryk can find form at the right time.
Prediction: Belgium, Ukraine
- Nick Akerman
Belgium are still good and still very competent. It's easy to write them off as being scared of the bright lights at big tournaments, but talent is talent and they have it.
Kevin De Bruyne is joined by the likes of Youri Tielemans and Jérémy Doku, two game-changers on their day. Oh, and they'll be the best-dressed crew at the tournament, which has to count for something.
From there, it's a total crapshoot, with Ukraine, Romania and Slovakia all relying on strong individual performances to propel them into the knockout rounds.
I'm putting my money on Slovakia to play together and move on.
Prediction: Belgium, Slovakia
- Shane Evans
Group F: Turkey, Portugal, Georgia and Czechia
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With Cristiano Ronaldo turning 40 next year, this edition of the Euros will probably be his last major tournament with Portugal.
Though the five-time Ballon d'Or winner isn't a consistent starter, the Portuguese have a bevy of talent to get them out of the group stage.
Despite their underwhelming performance at Euro 2020, Turkey possess enough potential to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
Prediction: Portugal, Turkey
- Alex Windley
Portugal might just be the favorites for the tournament, thanks to an abundance of talent and a sterling run of form. They'll sail to the top of Group F and be feared opponents in the knockout rounds.
Georgia will go as far as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia can take them, which won't be very far. Hopefully he'll get the chance to demonstrate his abilities on a major international stage, but it won't be enough to drag his team from bottom of the group.
Out of the two remaining teams, it looks like Turkey have the edge. Set-pieces from Hakan Çalhanoğlu will be hugely valuable, and Arda Güler could truly announce himself as a superstar in waiting.
For Czechia, they'll narrowly miss out on progressing.
Prediction: Portugal, Turkey
- Leo Collis
Portugal are always so fun to watch. There's brilliance, there's disaster and there's Ronaldo in surely his last major tournament.
Bruno Fernandes is absolutely popping off in this team at the moment and should dictate a simple run to the knockouts.
Czechia and Turkey are going to be close, but after everyone got excited by Turkey last time ahead of an awful showing, I'm going with Czechia.
Prediction: Portugal, Czechia
- Nick Akerman
Last-chance saloon for perpetual goalscorer Ronaldo. The 39-year-old surely won't be around for another Euros.
And after winning the tournament in 2016 as a injured player-coach, he'll want a bigger impact in what appears to be quite a weak Group F.
Luckily for CR7, he is not alone and the Portuguese are bringing a slew of talent to Germany. They'll top the group.
Turkey are back for more and should be stronger and better prepared this time around. They'll join Portugal in the knockout rounds.
Prediction: Portugal, Turkey
- Shane Evans
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