Group A predictions: Hosts can sail into the last 16

Euro 2024 hosts Germany kick off the tournament against Scotland in Munich and Die Mannschaft are desperate to put their recent disappointments behind them.

Germany were knocked out of Euro 2020 by England at the last-16 stage and have suffered ignominious group-stage exits at the last two World Cups.

Hansi Flick's ill-fated spell as national manager ended after a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Japan in September 2023 and his successor, coaching wunderkind 

Julian Nagelsmann, has had only a handful of friendly fixtures in which to experiment with tactics and personnel.

There is no doubting the talent available for former RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann, especially after Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos reversed his international retirement.

Youngsters Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are brilliant attacking talents and Kai Havertz should be full of confidence after his resurgence at Arsenal this season.

March's friendly wins over France and the Netherlands boosted the belief that Germany can be serious trophy contenders on home soil.

Nagelsmann has some vastly experienced performers down the spine of the team with Manuel Neuer in goal, Antonio Rudiger at centre-back, Kroos and Barcelona's Ilkay Gundogan in midfield and Bayern legend Thomas Muller among the forwards in the squad.

Germany should finish top of Group A and Hungary, rather than Switzerland or Scotland, could be their closest pursuers.

Hungary were minutes away from knocking out Germany at the last European Championships as they led 2-1 in Munich before Leon Goretzka's late equaliser.

The Magyars had drawn 1-1 with France on matchday two and they enjoyed a superb 2022-23 Nations League campaign, beating England at home and away and taking four points off Germany.

Italian manager Marco Rossi, who has been in charge since 2018, led his side through an unbeaten qualifying campaign in which they finished four points clear of Serbia in Group G.

Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi and centre-back Willi Orban should feel at home in Germany, youngster Milos Kerkez has had a breakthrough season with Bournemouth in the Premier League, and Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai is capable of moments of match-winning magic for the Magyars.

Switzerland are rated second-favourites to win the group and their squad features a host of familiar names including Manchester City's Manuel Akanji, Newcastle's Fabian Schar and Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka.

However, they were underwhelming in qualifying, finishing five points behind Group I winners Romania after winning only one of their last seven games – a 3-0 home victory over Andorra. They were also hammered 6-1 by Portugal in the 2022 World Cup round of 16.

Scotland's blistering start to qualifying included a famous 2-0 triumph over Spain at Hampden Park but their campaign ended with a 2-0 loss to La Roja and draws against Georgia (2-2) and Norway (3-3).

Steve Clarke's men have been outclassed in recent friendlies against England, France and the Netherlands. March's 1-0 home defeat to Northern Ireland was a worrying result given the calibre of opponents they face in Group A and the absence of injured Bologna star Lewis Ferguson is a major blow.