Euro 2024 begins with hosts Germany taking on Scotland in Munich on Friday.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side have had a long break from competitive football but are a warm order to open their campaign with a win against a Scotland side that have struggled to replicate the impressive form they exhibited early on in qualifying.
- GERMANY TO WIN TO NIL
- JAMAL MUISALA TO SCORE ANYTIME
- ANDY ROBERTSON TO BE SHOWN A CARD
Hosts To Dominate
Germany are one of the favourites for Euro 2024 but they have not played a competitive fixture since they were dumped out of the World Cup in December 2022.
Their results in the friendlies that have followed have been mixed, but they seem to have got themselves organised recently under new boss Julian Nagelsmann, who took over late last year.
The former Bayern Munich manager ranks as one of the best coaches in the tournament and his side have beaten France and the Netherlands in recent months.
The hosts face a Scotland team that have struggled since confirming their place in this tournament.
The Tartan Army have just one win from their last nine games and that came against Gibraltar.
They have suffered defeat against Northern Ireland and surrendered a 2-0 lead when facing Finland last time out to draw 2-2.
Three of the visitors’ last four defeats have come without scoring and they may suffer a similar fate at the hands of this German side.
Injuries to Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey have left Scotland’s right wing-back position looking increasingly weak and the Germans may well target this.
Che Adams or Lawrence Shankland will lead the line but neither of them have been particularly prolific at international level and they may find their team blanked here.
Musiala To Find The Net
Much of Germany’s hopes at this tournament rest on the efforts of their two young attacking midfielders, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala.
The latter had a very solid campaign with Bayern Munich despite struggling with injuries, netting 10 times in just 1,755 minutes of Bundesliga football.
The 21-year-old has the potential to be a superstar at this tournament and is fancied to get it underway with a goal.
JAMAL MUISIALA TO SCORE ANY TIME
Robertson Could Fall Foul Of The Referee
Andy Robertson is known for his attacking from left-back for Liverpool but he features as a wing-back for his nation and can be caught high at times.
As a result the Scotland captain was booked twice in six qualifiers and could add to that tally in this clash.
The visitors will be doing most of the defending and Robertson looks a likely candidate for a card.
ANDY ROBERTSON TO BE SHOWN A CARD
