Euro 2024 Hosts Germany Kick Off Against Scotland
Germany Widely Favored Against Longshot Scots
Tournament Kicks off in Munich
An eventful Summer for international soccer kicks off on Friday as Germany host Scotland in the Euro 2024 opener. Over the next month, 24 teams will compete to be crowned the champions of Europe. Germany have the advantage of hosting Euro 2024 but they enter the tournament as somewhat of a wild card. Meanwhile, Scotland pulled off some excellent results in qualifiers but their form has tailed off. In what should be an intriguing opener, we’ll preview the Germany vs Scotland Euro odds.
Germany vs Scotland
Records: Germany (0-0-0), Scotland (0-0-0)
Date, Time: Friday, June 14, 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Stream: Fox Sports
Germany vs Scotland Head-to-Head
This is the first opportunity to bet on the Germany vs Scotland Euro odds since 1992, when Germany defeated Scotland 2-0 in a Group 2 match. Since then, Scotland are 1-1-4 vs. Germany, in all competitions.
The most recent meeting was in 2015, in Euro 2016 qualifiers. There, Thomas Muller scored twice as Germany picked up a 3-2 win. Muller, who is on Germany’s Euro 2024 roster, also scored twice in the reverse fixture, which ended in a 2-1 Germany victory. Notably, Scotland have only beaten Germany in friendlies, never in a competitive fixture.
First Competitive Match for Germany Since 2022
Since Germany automatically qualified for Euro 2024 as hosts, they haven’t played any competitive matches since 2022. With a 1-1-1 record at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Germany went home after the Group Stage. Coach Hansi Flick managed to keep his job until September 2023, when the DFB hired Julian Nagelsmann to take over.
Nagelsmann has experimented with Germany’s roster since, even briefly playing striker/attacking midfielder Kai Havertz as a left back. In eight friendlies under Nagelsmann, Germany are 4-2-2. They are unbeaten in 2024, though, with wins over France, the Netherlands, and Greece and a draw vs. Ukraine. At +500, Germany are one of the most popular soccer picks to win Euro 2024.
Havertz and Pascal Gross scored last Friday in the 2-1 win over Greece and both are set to be key players. The way Germany set up vs. Greece could be the way they start vs. Scotland. Manuel Neuer, now 38, should start in goal, with Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, and Max Mittelstadt along the back line.
Tah and Rudiger had excellent club seasons and are one of the tournament’s best center back pairings. In midfield, Robert Andrich and Toni Kroos will sit further back, while Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bundesliga Player of the Season Florian Wirtz should play further forward. Havertz is likely to start up front, while Niclas Fullkrug should play the role as a super sub.
Scotland in Poor Form Heading into Euro 2024
Scotland rattled off five straight wins to open up UEFA Euro qualifiers. That includes victories over Spain, Norway and Georgia. Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay emerged as Scotland’s most prolific goalscorer, with seven goals. Scotland failed to win their final three matches but still managed to finish in second place in the UEFA Euro qualifiers standings.
Under Steve Clarke, Scotland also qualified for Euro 2020, where they went 0-1-2. Scotland have never qualified for the Knockout Stage at a major tournament but this is a good group of players. Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney are key defenders, while McTominay, John McGinn, Ryan Christie, and Callum McGregor set the tone in midfield.
Scotland lack a proven prolific striker at the international level. However, Lawrence Shankland could get his opportunity after scoring 31 goals for Hearts in 2023-24. Bettors should be aware that Scotland have won just one of their last nine matches heading into Euro 2024. Plus, Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson and Lyndon Dykes are all out of the squad injured.
Germany vs Scotland Match Analysis & Odds
Andy Robertson, one of Scotland’s most important players, left training early on Monday with an injury. He’s expected to play on Friday but bettors should monitor his status. Regardless, Germany should be able to pick up an opening game win in front of their home fans.
Die Mannschaft disappointed at the World Cup and should be eager to make things right. Currently, the Germany vs Scotland Euro odds list the Germans as heavy favorites. The best price you’ll be able to find on Germany at the moment is -360. The best odds on a draw are +500 and Scotland are wide +1000 underdogs.
Scotland could have a hard time shutting down Germany’s creative attacking midfielders Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Germany have plenty of players that command attention and that should create space on the field. Over 2.5 goals at -145 certainly isn’t the worst pick on the odds board here. While Germany -1.5 sits at -110, Scotland +1.5 comes in at even odds for the first match on the UEFA Euro schedule.
