Euro 2024 2024: Germany vs Scotland Prediction, Odds & Best Bets

Euros 2024 host country Germany kicks off group play against Scotland on Friday and our US Legal Sports Betting experts have been chomping at the bit to break it down. The Germans have greatly improved since the beginning of qualifying and look poised to make a run towards the finals. They won’t have an easy road from Group A, which includes Hungary and Switzerland in addition to the two teams matched up in the tournament opener. Scotland meanwhile, is ecstatic to rejoin the Euros fun. By qualifying for this year’s Euros, the Scots will participate in just their second major tourney in the last 26 years. As the tournament gets underway, make sure to check out the available sportsbook bonuses and promotions in celebration of this year's competition.

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Germany

This year’s German side finds itself in a transitional period as the old guard gives way to the new. Experienced players like Toni Kroos, Pascal Gross and Manuel Neuer will help lead the way for young stars like Kai Havertz and Leroy Sanè. Defensively, Julian Nagelsmann’s side have a few questions still unanswered, but a raucous home crowd should provide a boost to an offense that has found its true rhythm. If Germany continues clicking offensively, it could find itself right back in the mix for a fourth Euro championship.

Team news: Germany begins its attempt at a deep run in the Euros with a fully healthy squad and all of its players available. 

Predicted Lineup: Neuer, Kimmich, Tah, Rüdiger, Mittelstädt, Kroos, Andrich, Musiala, Gündogan, Wirtz and Havertz.

Scotland

Scotland performed magnificently during qualifiers, toppling mighty Spain for an outright win that helped propel them into the tournament for the fourth time in the club’s history. Unfortunately, the Tartans will have an uphill battle from the opening whistle. Over the last few months, the team has lost key players to injury such as Lyndon Dykes, Nathan Patterson, Lewis Ferguson and Aaron Hickey. 

Still, there is plenty of experience coursing through the rest of the lineup. Captain Andy Robertson has a long history of winning on every club he’s played for. John McGinn provides a ton of leadership from his position in the midfield as well. The defense, led by Kieran Tierney has been more than sturdy, but the question remains: who is going to finish Scotland’s chances? The Scots have been dangerous off of free kicks and Germany has been known to deliver fouls in its defensive third. However, that’s not a reliable strategy for long term success. Scott McTominay of Manchester United is still trying to shake the injuries that have kept him off the pitch and is listed as questionable to play. His presence would provide a much needed threat in the offensive third, but as of now, it doesn’t seem as though he’ll be ready for the team’s opening match.

Team news: Scotland is riddled with injuries heading into its opening match with Germany. Lyndon Dykes, Nathan Patterson, Lewis Ferguson and Aaron Hickey, Stuart Armstrong, Ben Doak, Jacob Brown, Oli McBurnie, and Ryan Jack are all doubtful to play. 

Predicted Lineup: Gunn, Ralston, Hendry, McKenna, Tierney, Robertson, McTominay, Gilmour, McGregor, McGinn, Adams.

• H2H – Germany has won eight of the 17 meetings between these two teams. That includes a 3-2 victory their last time out in 2015.
• Germany – After losing to rival Austria on November 21 last year, Germany went 3-1-0 including victories over Holland and France.
• Scotland – The Scots are 1-2-1 in their last five matches.
• Player To Watch – Niclas Füllkrug has 11 goals in 16 national appearances for Germany

Although Germany doesn’t have a prolific goal scorer on its roster, the door is open for Niclas Füllkrug to step into the role.  With 34-year old Thomas Müller likely to start on the bench, not many players on the pitch will have a ton of caps to their name. Füllkrug has netted 11 goals in just 16 appearances for the national team, including three World Cup matches. The young Borussia Dortmund striker will be eager to make a strong first impression in front of the German fans.

Scotland’s defense will likely find itself on its heels most of this match. Despite the lack of an experienced finisher, Germany is more than capable of keeping possession and pinning the Scots back into their defensive third. If the Tartans plan to put one in the back of the German net, they’ll need to bend without breaking before finding the right moments to counter attack. That level of pack-it-in defense should lead to a lower scoring game, especially with the nerves that accompany playing in the opening match of the tournament.

Under 2.5 Goals (+110) | BetMGM

Germany enters this match with the bulk of the pressure on its players’ shoulders. The combination of hosting the tournament alongside its top-20 world ranking equate to lofty expectations against a depleted Scotland side with so many key players missing. That stated, the Scots shan’t go down easily or without a legitimate effort, especially in their own third of the pitch. Steve Clarke’s men are well adept at shutting down scoring opportunities, even if they don’t have much firepower up top.