One of the biggest soccer tournaments in the world returns this summer with Euro 2024 taking place in Germany. If we ignore the last European Championship which was played across the entire continent, the host country has not won the tournament since France lifted the trophy at home in 1984. Germany, the headliner of Group A, will be hoping to break that streak. Here’s a look at Group A at Euro 2024, each team’s chances to advance to the knockout round and our predictions for how things will play out. All odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Germany (-260 to win group, -2000 to qualify for knockout round)
The Germans bowed out in the group stage at the most recent World Cup, failing to advance out of what many believed to be the Group of Death thanks to inferior goal differential. Germany made it to the semifinals at Euro 2012 and Euro 2016 but got knocked out in the round of 16 in the 2021 competition by England.
This squad has a healthy mix of experience and youth as Germany transitioned into bringing up the next generation. Expect to see Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane and Kai Havertz have sizable roles in this squad supporting the likes of Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gundogan, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos. This will be big expectations since it is a home tournament, so that added pressure is something Germany will have to contend with.
Switzerland (+500 to win group, -175 to qualify for knockout round)
It’s been a good run for Switzerland over the last few years on the pitch. This team has gone to the knockout round in the last two World Cups and made the quarterfinals in the 2021 Euro. Switzerland has been more aggressive in its approach after years of being a team more focused on controlling the midfield and occasionally stepping forward, which has benefitted the team. There’s tons of experience with Yann Sommer, Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Ricardo Rodriguez, while the likes of Remo Freuler, Denis Zakaria and Manuel Akanji aren’t exactly newcomers. In the group where there will be no easy matches and a competition where even being in third place in the group could mean qualification, having that experience is important.
Hungary (+600 to win group, -160 to qualify for knockout round)
Hungary has not been a factor in World Cups but is starting to gain some momentum at the Euros once again. The country has qualified for the last two European Championships, advancing to the knockout round in 2016. There isn’t much experience in this squad but there are some players who have featured in top domestic leagues like Dominik Szoboszlai, Willi Orban and Peter Gulacsi. Roland Sallai will be another name to watch as one of Hungary’s top goalscoring threats. There’s some good momentum here for Hungary having won three of its four matches in 2024 so far, although the opposition in those friendlies pales in comparison to this group.
Scotland (+800 to win group, -125 to qualify for knockout round)
Scotland went 0-1-2 in the group stage at the last Euro, but this squad has plenty of talent and rounds out arguably the toughest group of the 2024 competition. Liverpool’s Andy Robertson is a capable captain, with Manchester United’s Scott McTominay and Aston Villa’s John McGinn adding to the recognizable names for soccer fans on this roster. Che Adams will be another player to watch for this team. Scotland are looking to build on the last Euro appearance and now have more experience playing together with some success. This could be the tournament for this group to break out.