My Euro 2020 Group Stage Predictions!

So the Euros are well underway and each team has played their opening group stage fixtures. In this blog post I will be sharing my thoughts on what the outcomes of the group stages could be, in my opinion.

Group A: Quite an underestimated group...

1. Italy - these are the bookies favourites to win this group for a reason. Good football orchestrated by manager Roberto Mancini and should be too strong for the rest of the group. Forwards Insigne and Immobile to fire Italy through with Chiellini ever present in the heart of the Italian defence.

2. Switzerland - it will be close between them and Turkey for second place. The Swiss will need some sort of result against Italy and a win vs Turkey if they are to progress as runners up. However, they might get away with a loss to Italy if they beat Turkey as they already have a point in the bag from the Wales result.

3. Turkey - many people's dark horses for this group. Started off with a heavy 3-0 defeat against Italy. They've got the hardest team in the group out of the way so will now be focused on trying to pick up 6 points from Wales and Switzerland. If they were to finish in the 3rd place position, they could still progress to the knockout stages.

4. Wales - I personally just don't think they're strong enough. They'll need to rely heavily on a declining Bale but a good draw against Switzerland in the opening fixture has set them up well and could spur them on.

Group B: A breeze for Belgium but who will finish runners up?

1. Belgium - Roberto Martinez' men should be too strong for this group with the world class talent they have. A fantastic 3-0 win vs Russia to kick things off. Lukaku potential golden boot winner for the tournament in my opinion.

2. Denmark - absolutely awful that they're without Christian Eriksen but hopefully the Danish camp can channel their energy and progress into the knockout stages for him, whilst he recovers. With Leicester 'keeper Kasper Schmeichel and AC Milan's Simon Kjaer leading from the back and their heroics on and off the field, I'm sure everyone would love to see Denmark progress as far as possible.

3. Russia - they started the tournament off poorly against a good Belgium side losing 3-0 but if they show the fight like they did in the World Cup then they could take the 3rd place spot and potentially go through via that avenue.

4. Finland - took a win against an emotionally fragile and drained Denmark in questionable circumstances, not sure they'll pick up many more points having to play Belgium and Russia.

Group C: Pretty much three teams fighting for progression to knockouts... Sorry Macedonia!

1. Netherlands - group favourites on paper however they weren't impressive in defence in their 3-2 win against Ukraine. Not stable enough and will be punished by stronger teams in the later stages of the competition. More than certain they'll progress but can't see the Dutch going far.

2. Austria - a close second with third place in my opinion. David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic have to play a crucial part if they want to qualify for the knockouts.

3. Ukraine - will finish a close third depending on the result when they play Austria. A good side which was portrayed when they put the Netherlands to the test in the 3-2 defeat in the opening fixture. Underestimated in my eyes.

4. North Macedonia - Pandev is the Macedonia GOAT. Scored in their first game against Austria and is their all-time leading goal scorer and appearance maker. A true talisman, leading from the front as a tremendously hardworking captain and forward. Can't see them picking up any points sadly.

Group D: IT'S COMING HOME!

1. England - bias aside, I do think England are more than capable of winning this group. A very important win against Croatia which sets them up nicely and takes slight pressure off the Scotland game. With 3 points in the bag hopefully Gareth Southgate's men can push on and proceed to the knockout stages. But, although the midfield and attacking options are strong within the Three Lions team, the defence could be a problem should injuries occur.

2. Croatia - despite taking a 1-0 loss to England I still believe they will progress. Croatia are an ageing squad but you can't write off the World Cup runners-up just yet!

3. Czech Republic - I did have these to finish last place in Group D originally but a great 2-0 win vs Scotland has set them up well. Schick also with the possibility to claim the Goal of the Tournament with the strike from the halfway line which lobbed Scotland goalkeeper Marshall.

4. Scotland - scraped through in the qualification stages with a penalty shoutout to get them to the tournament and they looked lacklustre against the Czechs in the opening game. They need a result against England but if they don't there is a slim chance for the third place progression but would need a win against Croatia in their final group game.

Group E: Tough group this one...

1. Spain - I have to back the three time European winners in this group. Luis Enrique has a very good squad in his hands despite leaving out the significant Real Madrid players. In their eyes a disappointing 0-0 draw against Sweden in the opening fixture, but they will believe they can pick up at least 4 points from Poland and Slovakia.

2. Poland - even though they lost to Slovakia in their opening game, I believe they have the quality to push them into the knockout stages. Lewandowski needs to be firing in their next two group stage games to progress Poland.

3. Slovakia - a close third place, they won't be far off Sweden and could finish fourth if they lose to them. A great win against Poland to kick off their campaign, which I'm sure many didn't predict, (I sure didn't!).

4. Sweden - a good draw against Spain but I'm not sure their defensive football will get them far. Young forward, Isak, up front looks like a promising talent whilst they miss their key player in this tournament, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Group F: The group of death!

1. France - started off with a vital win against Germany. A truly unbelievable squad, great depth with world class players in each position. With Pogba and Kante as a midfield pivot and fantastic talent flowing all around them, I predict the World Cup winners to win this Euro group and subsequently go a long way.

2. Portugal - the recent European winners of 2016 are looking to defend their title and kicked things off with an impressive 3-0 victory over Hungary, which also saw Ronaldo break the all time Euro goal-scorer record. Like the French, Portugal have a brilliant squad and one of the best squad depths in Europe.

3. Germany - although I predict them to finish outside the top two in this group, I believe they will still progress to the knockouts through the third place position. It will be a close group between them France and Portugal but I think they may just come up short now they've lost their opening fixture to France. The German's will need at least a draw, possibly even a win against Portugal if they were to finish in second place.

4. Hungary - unfortunately they have been drawn in the hardest group of the tournament and sadly have no chance to progress in my eyes. Like Macedonia I expect the Hungarians probably won't pick up any points.

Well that was my group stage predictions and an insight to my thoughts on each of the teams participating in the 2020 European Tournament. Below is my knockout stages prediction which you can make yourself on the official UEFA Euros website... and yes, I did choose England to go all the way!