Euro 2024 has already provided some surprising results, particularly in Group E. Football expert Chris Sutton correctly predicted seven out of the opening 12 group games, but was caught off guard by Slovakia’s win over Belgium and Romania’s victory over Ukraine. However, the audience didn’t fare much better, with only 16% predicting Romania’s triumph and 4% backing Slovakia. Despite this, they did accurately predict the outcome in eight games. The second set of group games includes matches between Scotland and Switzerland, as well as England and Denmark. Sutton is also predicting the finishing order of each group, with France emerging as the winners of the tournament, England losing to them in the semi-finals, and Scotland failing to advance from their group.
In Group A, Sutton initially predicted Germany to win and Hungary to finish as runners-up. However, after Germany’s impressive start and Hungary’s disappointing defeat to Switzerland, Sutton believes it will be another convincing victory for Germany.
In the Scotland versus Switzerland match, Scotland will need to improve after their poor performance against Germany. Sutton suggests that manager Steve Clarke should consider including Billy Gilmour in midfield and making changes to the defensive lineup. However, he acknowledges that it won’t be an easy game for Scotland, as Switzerland have started well.
Moving on to Group B, Sutton initially predicted Spain to win and Italy to finish as runners-up. In the match between Croatia and Albania, Sutton believes that Croatia will struggle due to their aging squad and lack of attacking prowess. He predicts a draw in this game. The much-anticipated match between Spain and Italy is expected to be a close one. Sutton notes that both teams have shown efficiency in their play and are capable of absorbing pressure. However, he gives the edge to Spain due to Italy’s potential defensive vulnerabilities.
In Group C, Sutton predicted England to win and Denmark to finish as runners-up. In the match between Slovenia and Serbia, Sutton expects a cagey draw, with both teams needing a positive result. In the match between Denmark and England, Sutton dismisses the criticism surrounding England’s opening win and believes they will have a comfortable victory. He mentions the debate around Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role in midfield and suggests that manager Gareth Southgate should decide whether the risks are worth it. Sutton also praises Marc Guehi for his impressive performance in the previous match.
Moving on to Group D, Sutton predicted France to win and the Netherlands to finish as runners-up. In the match between Poland and Austria, Sutton expects a close contest but gives the edge to Austria. He suggests that Robert Lewandowski’s return will make Poland more dangerous. In the highly-anticipated match between the Netherlands and France, Sutton believes that France will come out on top due to their ability to exploit the vulnerabilities in the Dutch defense.
In Group E, Sutton predicted Belgium to win and Slovakia to finish as runners-up. In the match between Slovakia and Ukraine, Sutton praises Slovakia for their well-organized play and expects them to secure at least a draw. The match between Belgium and Romania holds importance for Belgium, as they need a win to alleviate the pressure. Sutton acknowledges the vulnerabilities in the Belgium defense but predicts a win for them.
Finally, in Group F, Sutton predicted Portugal to win and the Czech Republic to finish as runners-up. In the match between Georgia and the Czech Republic, Sutton expects the Czech Republic to kickstart their campaign with a win. In the match between Turkey and Portugal, Sutton acknowledges Turkey’s improved performance compared to the previous Euros but believes that Portugal has the quality to secure a victory.
Overall, Euro 2024 has provided some surprising results so far, and Sutton’s predictions for the second set of group games offer an interesting perspective on the upcoming matches.