Saturday's Euro 2024 Bet Builder tips: Spain can make quick start
- There are three games at Euro 2024 on Saturday
- Six of Switzerland's last seven matches have seen less than three goals
- Spain have scored five goals in each of their last two games
There are a trio Euro 2024 games to look forward to on Saturday, beginning with a Group A clash between Hungary and Switzerland.
Arguably the tie of the round of games comes next via the Group B curtain-raiser between Spain and Croatia, before Italy take on Albania in the second match from that section.
We have selected a bet builder for two of the ties, starting with the day’s opening clash.
Hungary vs Switzerland (Saturday, 2pm)
Bet 1: Under 2.5 goals
Hungary take on Switzerland in Group A for Saturday’s opening game but while excitement will be high ahead of the first three-game day of Euro 2024, there is a high chance that goals could be at a premium in Cologne and that mood could quickly be dampened.
Both the Magyars and Red Crosses success in recent years has been built on solid defensive foundations. Hungary conceded just seven goals in their eight qualifying matches, while the Swiss have shipped only three in their last five games.
Under 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in six of Switzerland’s last seven games and could land again as both teams play conservatively in their tournament opener.
Bet 2: Barnabas Varga to have over 0.5 shots on target
Ferencvaros forward Barnabas Varga scored 20 goals in 24 league games last season and four in six Euro 2024 qualifiers, with his reward likely to be the sole striker spot in Marco Rossi’s system.
He warmed up for the tournament with two goals and an assist in the Magyars’ final preparation game against Israel last week and should test Yann Sommer on at least one occasion in Cologne.
Bet 3: Atilla Szalai to be booked
One player who did not enjoy a strong season is Atilla Szalai, who managed to play just seven Bundesliga games all term. He will, therefore, be coming into this tournament cold and could show some signs of rustiness against Switzerland.
Szalai is still a key figure for Hungary and will start on the left of their back three, but lacking match sharpness and up against the likes of tricky winger Xherdan Shaqiri, unpredictable forward Ruben Vargas and speed demon Noah Okafor, he could be forced into some unnecessary fouls and may find his name in the referee’s book.
Spain vs Croatia (Saturday, 5pm)
Bet 1: Spain to win
Croatia are regular fixtures in the knockout stages of the Euros, but they may have to claw their way there this time around as they look set for defeat in their opener against Spain.
Luis de la Fuente has transformed La Roja, leading them to 10 wins in his 14 games in charge and posting an eye-watering +40 goal difference in that run.
His bold move to go against Spanish tradition by utilising pace and width in his side in the form of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams makes them a more multi-dimensional proposition than in recent tournaments and they should have too much for an ageing Croatia, who lost to Wales and Turkey in qualifying.
Bet 2: Pedri to score any time
Another tactical move from De La Fuente to pay dividends has been the decision to push Pedri further forward and get him more involved in attacks.
The Barcelona midfielder, who won Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020, netted a brace in Spain’s final warm-up game against Northern Ireland and his late arrivals into the box from midfield could be difficult to track for Croatia’s veteran defensive midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, making Pedri a solid bet to find the net on Saturday.
Bet 3: Marcelo Brozovic to be booked
Following on from the previous selection, Brozovic also rates a solid bet to be booked in Berlin.
The Croatian midfielder has spent the season in Saudi Arabia, so there is the possibility that this enhanced level and speed of football could cause him some issues and given he was booked twice in his four Euro 2020 matches, the former Inter Milan man looks a big price to receive a yellow in the German capital.
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