Saturday 25 May 2024

Euro 2024 - Group A Thoughts

 Thoughts on Group A;


Surely Germany can't screw this group up? Can they? Well lets have a look. Results wise they've been in friendly limbo with some odd results. Squad wise they look in transition, we have a few 30+ players on the verge of international retirement, a few up and comers (notably from Leverkusen and Stuttgart) and dare I say it a few journeymen who I'm looking at while wondering "how are they in the squad?"


I see them getting through the group although not with ease. There is a very good German 15 in here but I don't think they have the depth to get to the final. I see them going out at the quarter or semi final stage.


Players to watch out for:


Florian Wirtz - the star player of this season Bundesliga, so much of how Germany do depends on him.

Deniz Undav - the form German striker this season.

Kai Havertz - a very good season for Arsenal.



Scotland, Steve Clarke has put together a good squad who didn't just eek into the tournament on the back of some 1-0 wins, they nearly won the group, beat Spain and amazingly scored some goals - they never had a 1-0 victory during qualifying. Hopefully they can take this form into the tournament, odds wise their the outsiders for the group but I'm hoping they can cause some more upsets.


Players to watch out for:


Ncuti Gatwa - good start to his career part of a good partnership on his debut with David Tennant, but needs to concentrate more and stop running into minefields.



Hungary, played some really good stuff comfortably won their group, the goals have been spread around the team and like Scotland look quite good. Bar Dominik Szoboszlai no real big names so lets hope to uncover an unknown gem.


Players to watch out for:


Dominik Szoboszlai - everything about this team revolves through him.



Switzerland, they've played some really good football, scored a lot of goals and generally had a fun time in qualifying. They're often about in the early stages of competitions sometimes knocking out a big name only to go out themselves the next round. Checking my notes aside from Granite Chaka Khan and Yann Sommer there isn't a lot to write home about. In Switzerland I find a team I don't want to do well, I want Hungary or Scotland to get through this group and in order for them to do that they need to get something from Switzerland who are the second favourites in this group.


Players to watch out for:


Remo Freuler - a good all round player whose had an outstanding season for Bologna and someone who I find to be unappreciated.


 

Bets and trades;


My big lay of the tournament is Germany, I think they'll win and I think the host factor is lowering their odds. 5/1 is a good lay as even if they do win I think the price will go longer at some stage.


Low level minimum stakes lay of Switzerland to finish top 2 in the group.

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