The opening game of Euro 2024 pits plucky Scotland against three-time winners Germany with the hosts heavily favoured to take all three points from the Group A clash in Munich’s Allianz Arena.
It is 28 years since Die Mannschaft last got their hands on the trophy at Euro ‘96 in England, with Germany going out at the semi-final stage in two of the last three editions.
This will be just Scotland’s second major tournament appearance of the century and Steve Clarke’s men will be desperate to improve on their showing three years ago when they exited with only one point and one goal scored.
- Scotland +2 Handicap Result @ 10/11 with bet365
- Over 9 corners @ 11/10 with bet365
- Both Teams to Receive 2+ Cards @ 2/1 with bet365
Die Mannschaft unlikely to dominate
It is easy to see why the oddsmakers make Germany such hot favourites as Julian Nagelsmann’s side have a wealth of Champions League-proven players, come from a nation used to dominating international football and will be on home soil.
But they have not played a competitive match for almost two years and that was when they crashed out of the World Cup after losing to Japan.
Their friendly results have been solid, but not spectacular, with a recent 0-0 draw with Ukraine and a 2-0 defeat to Austria late last year demonstrating that goals can be a problem.
Scotland will defend deep and get plenty of bodies around the creative midfielders in Germany’s side, which could stifle them for long periods.
Clarke’s side fastened themselves in for a 0-0 draw with England at Wembley three years ago and can do the same here.
Germany have not won by more than one goal in 12 of their last 14 internationals so the +2 goal handicap on Scotland looks a good way to play this game.
Corners could mount up in Munich
Germany have been racking up the corners in their recent friendly games, registering 13 in a 2-1 win over Greece a few days after grabbing 11 in a 0-0 draw with Ukraine.
They rely on width and deliveries into the box, particularly when Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug is on the pitch.
Scotland’s defence are good in the air and can deal with him on the ground, but will probably be forced to defend their penalty area quite a lot by Germany’s constant attempts to get down the flanks.
This sort of matchup has corners written all over it and Scotland are not so bad at winning them too, although the majority are likely to come for the hosts in this clash.
There were 29 corners in Scotland’s last three friendly matches and exactly 10 in their last qualifier — the 3-3 draw with Norway back in November – and double figures is a likely outcome once more.
Tartan Army love their tenacious tacklers
Scotland’s players also love a tackle and so do their fans, with some of the Tartan Army’s heroes known more for their ball-winning ability than their goal scoring prowess.
Modern referees appear to be split over the issue with some happy to allow physical contact as long as the game flows and others ready to stop the game whenever a player hits the deck.
Match official Clement Turpin is somewhere in between with an average of 3.47 yellow cards per game in France’s Ligue 1 last season.
But Scotland committed 101 fouls in qualifying with only five nations that reached Germany responsible for more, so there is a good chance that their players will be penalised by cards if that trend continues.
Scotland defender Ryan Porteous was no stranger to a caution last term as he received 15 of them in 42 appearances across all competitions for Watford.
The tricky element to this bet is getting two or more German players booked when they are unlikely to be hunting the ball as much or time wasting at the end.
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