Euro 2024 hot takes and predictions: England and Cristiano Ronaldo to struggle? | Football

With Euro 2024 is just days away, Metro has assembled a list of our boldest predictions for what will transpire in Germany over the next four weeks.

After penalty shoot-out heartbreak in the final at Wembley three years ago, can England go one step further and end 58 years of hurt? Will hosts Germany put the indignity of a group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup behind them with a strong showing on home soil? Could Scotland spring a shock?

Here our are spicy hot takes – feel free to save and bookmark for much laughing and pointing later.

Defending champs Italy to finish bottom of group

Having failed to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Italy parachuted in former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti last August to help them qualify for the European Championship, only doing so after a nervy 0-0 draw against Ukraine in their final group game.

Now placed in the group of death alongside tournament hopefuls Spain and Croatia, Italy have their work cut out to progress to the knockout stages.

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Their opening fixture against Albania could well be decisive and an early slip-up could see this makeshift Azzurri side spiral and end their tournament languishing at the bottom of Group B. Ben Fleming

Danes to go on deep run

In a fairly straightforward group, Denmark should progress to the last-16 to face Germany or Croatia. Neither side possesses too much to be feared and Denmark have the defensive solidity that so often proves important at international tournaments.

After their run to the semi-finals in 2020, the Danes have experience in going deep at tournaments and have a good blend of youth and experience. Sean Kearns

Ronaldo to fail to score a goal from open play

The spectre of Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance looms large over Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign.

Roberto Martinez has been blessed with a squad jampacked with potential matchwinners at both ends of the pitch. Ronaldo just about still fits into that category but the dynamic between star man, if he can still be termed as such, and his manager could define Portugal’s campaign.

His presence at the World Cup nearly two years ago almost felt like a distraction and ultimately became something of a sideshow. Having spent the last season and a bit playing in Saudi Arabia, it remains to be seen whether or not he can cut it at elite European level.

Could one of the greatest players of all-time end a major tournament without scoring from open play? That’s an ignominy he will be desperate to avoid and with group game against Georgia to get stuck into it’s one he should swerve, but if he’s rested or on the bench, he could fire blanks in the knockout stages as he did in Qatar. James Goldman

Netherlands OUT at group stage

There tends to be one big nation that has an absolute shocker of a tournament, and even with UEFA making it extremely difficult to go out at the group stage, one major country will probably manage it and it may well be the Dutch.

Netherlands have been really poor at the Euros for a while, with their last three campaigns amounting to: group stage, did not qualify, last 16. They were better at the Qatar World Cup, but their team is not that convincing and in a testing group with France, Austria and Poland it could all go wrong. Phil Haigh

Scotland to roar into knockout stages

Admittedly, history doesn’t suggest Scotland are on the verge of an inspiring and unprecedented run to the knockout stages.

The Tartan Army have competed in four European Championships (and eight World Cups) without ever making it out of the group stage.

Euro 2020 was a familiar story, Scotland finishing bottom in Group D behind Czech Republic, Croatia and neighbours England. Some untimely injury blows have also impacted Scotland’s preparations and yet this still appears to be their best chance in a lifetime to feature in international knockout football.

Group A promises to be one of the most competitive in the tournament and Scotland have no reason to fear Hungary or Switzerland, while questions remain over hosts Germany.

In Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn and Scott McTominay, Scotland have top Premier League players with plenty of experience. With a fair wind they can surprise a few in Germany. Louis Sealey

Germany heading for early exit

Germany will survive an almighty scare in their opener against Scotland but still crash out of their own party at the group stage.

Yes, Germany are Germany, but the hosts have won just three in seven and have failed to perform at their last three major tournaments. Manuel Neuer’s form has bordered on calamitous in recent games and there is an over-reliance on Kai Havertz to deliver in the goalscoring department. Tom Olver

Kvaratskhelia and Georgia to make their mark

Most major tournaments tend to see a shock outsider reach the semi-finals. At the Qatar World Cup it was Morocco. At Euro 2020 it was Denmark. While the last-four may be a stretch for minnows Georgia, a crowd-pleasing run to the quarter-finals might be on the cards.

The source of this optimism: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Napoli winger, nicknamed ‘Kvaradona’ has 51 goals and assists over the past two seasons and averages a goal every other game for his country. The 23-year-old can navigate his side out of a group with Portugal, the Czech Republic and Turkey, and from there should be able to cause a few more upsets. Callum McAvoy

Disappointment could loom for England again

While among the favourites, the build-up to England’s latest quest for silverware has lacked some of the verve and optimism of previous years.

Eyebrow-raising selection decisions, that woeful performance against Iceland and the sense this will be Southgate’s last roll of the dice has created a feeling of uncertainty almost.

The absence of Harry Maguire at the back is huge and across the team in key positions, there are question marks. Influential figures like Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham have endured draining club campaigns and while England will surely progress to the knockout stages, the sort of deep runs fans have become accustomed to again could be a big ask this time around. Tony Mogan

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