Soccer action kicks off this week in Germany, where the Sports Gambling Podcast Network breaks down the opening round with our Euro 2024 Matchday 1 best bets.
The first round of matches will begin on Friday when the host nation plays Scotland. This is followed by multiple games on each of the next five days to wrap up Matchday 1 on Tuesday, June 18.
SGPN will provide our favorite plays for each round as we progress throughout the tournament. The opening matchday includes picks for the fixtures involving Germany, England, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
The wait is over, and it is time to jump into our Euro 2024 Matchday 1 best bets.
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Euro 2024 Matchday 1 Best Bets
Germany vs Scotland – Scotland Under 2.5 Corners (-110) DraftKings
Date: Friday, June 14
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Network: FOX
If you read my Euro 2024 futures article, you know that I am not very high on this Scotland attack coming into this tournament. I feel this will be on display in this opening game.
The Tartan Army has already had trouble creating chances against top opposition. They recently were blanked in a 4-0 loss against the Dutch, where this same bet cashed.
In Euro 2024 qualifying, manager Steve Clarke’s team was held to just one corner on the road in Spain. Scotland also failed to have at least three corner kicks in the friendlies last fall against England and France.
I just feel Clarke is going to set up his squad to be strong defensively with many players behind the ball. This will allow Germany to control the match, hindering Scotland’s chances of earning corners.
A similar game state happened in recent friendlies for the host nation. Germany held Ukraine and Turkey both under this total while also winning the corner matchup against Greece 13-3.
You could also play the Germans on the corners handicap, but I prefer this option just to fade Scotland’s attack.
Poland vs. Netherlands – Netherlands Win to Zero (+120) DraftKings
Date: Sunday, June 16
Time: 9:00 AM ET
Network: FS1
I’m equally as low on Poland’s attack as I am on the Scottish squad due to the recent injuries. Arkadiusz Milik was subbed off early in a recent friendly against Ukraine with a knee injury. The Juventus forward has now been ruled out for the Euros.
Meanwhile, the following game against Turkey resulted in more forward injuries. Both Robert Lewandowski and Karol Swiderski were forced off in the first half and are both in doubt for this game.
The trio either scored or assisted on 10 goals in qualifying. This means they played a direct role in over 70 percent of Poland’s goals.
These are huge absences against a strong Dutch backline that includes Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), and Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich). This same defense only allowed one goal in the six games, not against France in the qualifying matches.
Even when Poland was at full strength, the nation failed to score against Albania. This same team needed an 87th-minute corner when trailing by three goals to find the back of the net at Croatia.
Serbia vs England – England ML & O1.5 (-135) DraftKings
Date: Sunday, June 16
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Network: FOX
If we go back to the 2022 World Cup, Serbia was a dark horse that many liked to make a run in the tournament. Unfortunately, a leaky defense that gave up multiple goals per game was too much to overcome.
The Eagles bring the same manager and philosophy into this competition. So, I don’t see much changing here in Germany.
This was on display during the qualifying games for the Euros. Serbia only earned two clean sheets in eight matches against a group that included Lithuania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Hungary.
Since September 2023, the Eagles have played three games against opponents in this tournament. Both Hungary and Austria scored multiple goals in all of those fixtures.
They are set to face a loaded England attack. This bet would have cashed in on all six of the Three Lions’ qualifying wins, including both against Italy.
Manager Gareth Southgate has shown signs of allowing his team to play more openly, which would only trouble the weak Serbian defense.
Portugal vs Czech Republic – Over 2.5 Goals (-130) DraftKings
Date: Tuesday, June 18
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Network: FOX
I’ll round out my Euro 2024 Matchday 1 best bets with another game in which I like goals. This could be a match in which Portugal tops it by itself.
Over A Seleção’s last 14 games in all competitions, this same play would have cashed in nine fixtures. Roberto Martínez’s squad flew over this total in eight of those games.
Martínez has brought a new, free-flowing style to Portugal that has been missing in recent tournaments under former coach Fernando Santos. While this has led to goals, I do worry about the team giving opportunities to opponents.
In Portugal’s four games since September 2023 against teams in this tournament, the opponent scored multiple goals in three of those matches.
This is also an interesting showdown of the two players who tied for the most goals at Euro 2020. Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick both finished with five goals.
They both will be leading the attacks in this showdown, which should lead to a strong chance for goals.
