EURO 2024 Matchday 1: Best Bet, Upset Alert, Player to Watch

David Connelly
Host · Writer
Best Bet: Harry Kane Anytime Goalscorer (+105)
Mr. Kane loves himself a goal for his country, something he has done in three of his past four matches. He has long been England's lone constant, a goal-scoring machine at the spear of their attack that often finds the back of the net, whether in open play or via the penalty spot. Surprisingly, he is being offered at plus-money against an inferior opponent like Serbia, so it feels right to pounce on it in this spot.
Best Match: Spain vs. Croatia
This is a must-watch match to kick things off in Group B as two of the top ten nations in the world face off in Berlin. It's starting to feel like Croatia's swan song at EURO 2024, with some of their superstars in Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Domagoj Vida, all 35 years or older. They all still have the quality to take down the best of the best, and that's what they will be facing in Spain. The Spaniards have struggled to capitalize on major tournaments in the past decade, making it past the Round of 16 just once in the past five World Cups or EUROs they have participated in. They are overdue for a strong showing, and they've got the squad to claim all three points here.
Upset Alert: Hungary (+230) Over Switzerland
Hungary has proven to be a scrappy bunch over the years. Although they finished bottom of the most challenging group at EURO 2020, they showed plenty of toughness and structure by pulling off draws against France and Germany in the group stage. We expect more of the same from this organized bunch, and Switzerland feels vulnerable as they sit at their lowest FIFA World Ranking in over a decade. Watch for the Hungarians to pull off a surprise in the opening matchday.
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Player to Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Nobody knows, perhaps not even Cristiano Ronaldo himself, whether he will be a part of Portugal's squad at the 2026 World Cup, so it's fair to say that this could be his send-off tournament for his international career. A second European Championship would help bolster his international resumé, which has long been his legendary career's shortcoming. We expect him to be full throttle for this tournament and a dark horse pick to take home the Golden Boot.
Best Bet: Harry Kane Anytime Goalscorer (+105)
Mr. Kane loves himself a goal for his country, something he has done in three of his past four matches. He has long been England's lone constant, a goal-scoring machine at the spear of their attack that often finds the back of the net, whether in open play or via the penalty spot. Surprisingly, he is being offered at plus-money against an inferior opponent like Serbia, so it feels right to pounce on it in this spot.
Best Match: Spain vs. Croatia
This is a must-watch match to kick things off in Group B as two of the top ten nations in the world face off in Berlin. It's starting to feel like Croatia's swan song at EURO 2024, with some of their superstars in Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Domagoj Vida, all 35 years or older. They all still have the quality to take down the best of the best, and that's what they will be facing in Spain. The Spaniards have struggled to capitalize on major tournaments in the past decade, making it past the Round of 16 just once in the past five World Cups or EUROs they have participated in. They are overdue for a strong showing, and they've got the squad to claim all three points here.

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