Explainers

GERMANY can become the first team to seal a perfect group-stage campaign at Euro 2024 with a win over Switzerland.Julian Nagelsmann’s men come into this weekend’s clash knowing a point will see them top Group A.Switzerland could finish top of Group A with a win over GermanyCredit: GettyGermany have won their opening two games against Scotland and HungaryCredit: GettyBut they face a Switzerland side who could leapfrog them to first place with a win in Frankfurt.And the result will have huge consequences for who both sides could play in the knockout stages.The group winners will play the runners-up from England’s group.But second place in Group A will face the runners-up from Group B – which could be Italy, Albania or Croatia.The Swiss also still face the possibility of dropping down to third.That will happen if they lose to Germany, Scotland beat Hungary, and there is a six-goal swing between the two matches.If that does happen then they could play Spain or Portugal in the second round.Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSSwitzerland Euro 2024 guideIN RECENT years, the Swiss national team have been as reliable as one of their watches.
They’ll always be at tournaments and always go out in the last 16 – with the exception of Euro 2020 when they stunned France to win on penalties and reach the quarter-finals.
MANAGER: Murat Yakin
Former Basel coach who had a brush with Jose Mourinho in 2013, beating Chelsea in the Champions League.
STAR MAN: Granit Xhaka
The Swiss captain makes everything tick and is coming off the best season of his career, winning the double at Bayer Leverkusen.
How Switzerland attack
Switzerland are comfortable playing out from the back and can launch quick attacking moves with a pass from defence.
They will then quickly get the ball wide or to the strikers’ feet before pushing multiple players forward to occupy space.
How Switzerland defend
Switzerland are versatile in the way they defend and comfortable hanging back in a low block.
But at times they will completely change their approach to press high and catch the opposition off-guard.
Read the full Switzerland Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags

Germany Euro 2024 guideGERMANY’S reputation as tournament football’s greatest nation has taken a battering in recent years.
The hosts haven’t won a knockout game in eight years and the pressure is on for them to get it right in front of their home crowd.
MANAGER: Julian Nagelsmann
Bright, young and a bit of a maverick. The ex-Bayern Munich boss is known for his flashy outfits and arriving for training on a skateboard. 
STAR MAN: Jamal Musiala
The 21-year-old former Chelsea star could have been playing for England and can make things happen out of nothing.
How Germany attack
Toni Kroos will typically drop deep to take the ball off the defence with the Germans then overloading the side of the pitch the ball is on.
That gives them the option of either passing through the congested area or attacking the other side with a crossfield ball to the man in space.
How Germany defend
Germany’s striker and the team’s five midfielders will form a diamond shape in the hope of preventing the opposition playing through the middle.
Should opponents then play the ball wide, the German full-backs will be expected to press high up the pitch in an attempt to win possession.
Read the full Germany Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags

What does their form look like?Both teams come into this match with their tails up after impressive results in their opening two group stage games.Germany opened up their home tournament with a 5-1 thrashing of Scotland.MOst dedicated Scotland fans ever travel to Germany for Euros 50 years after attending World CupThey then followed that up with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Hungary that showed more of a steeliness to their play.Switzerland began their Euros with an accomplished 3-1 victory against Hungary.Then last time out they fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Scotland.What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?Breel Embolo could be set to start his first game of the tournament after substitute appearances in their previous two matches.The Swiss striker has been struggling with fitness issues but could be ready for this one.Fabian Schar broke his nose against Scotland but is still understood to be available.Nagelsmann took Jamal Musiala and Robert Andrich off during the win over Hungary as they are one booking away from a suspension.Andrich may be rested, but expected Musiala to still start as Germany will see their talisman as irreplaceable as they look to seal top spot in the group.Who will be the star men?Jama MusialaThere is a risk playing Musiala in this game as a yellow card would see him suspended for their last-16 tie.But the importance of the Bayern Munich playmaker has been there for all to see in their opening two matches.He has scored twice and been at the centre of everything positive in the final third for Germany. Expect the same against Switzerland.Jamal Musiala has been sensational for Germany so far at the EurosGranit XhakaXhaka produced one of the performances of the tournament in Switzerland’s opener against Hungary.The Bayer Leverkusen man, who also impressed against Scotland, dictates the tempo of his side with the class and assurance you expect from a captain.If the Swiss are to get a handle on Musiala and Florian Wirtz, Xhaka will have a big part to play in them doing so.Granit Xhaka has been instrumental in Switzerland’s midfieldWhat have the managers said?Switzerland boss Yakin has remained cautious about reaching the knockout stages despite four points from his side’s opening two games.He said: “We’ve still got one game to go. It’s still very open. We will do everything we can to make it out of the group.”In these first two games we have shown we are ready to battle. Scotland really did cause us problems and we had to expend all of our energy.”Scotland’s pride had been hurt and they needed to bounce back. We could have won the match but they also created opportunities.”Nagelsmann hinted at making alterations for the Switzerland clash following the win over Hungary.However, he also insisted there will not be wholesale change to the team.He said: “We want to win the group, that’s the first goal.”We want to get more rhythm. There won’t be seven changes, I can rule that out.”Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin could lead his side to the top of Group ACredit: GettyGermany boss Julian Nagelsmann is hoping for a perfect group stageCredit: GettySunSport predictionSwitzerland 1-2 GermanyWhen is Switzerland vs Germany?
Germany’s final group stage clash against Switzerland will take place on Sunday, January 23.
The game will kick off at 8pm BST.
Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany, will play host to the big game.
What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
Switzerland vs Germany will be shown live on BBC Two in the UK.
You can live stream the action from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
Can I watch for FREE?
Yes, you can watch the game for FREE on BBC Two, so long as you have a valid TV licence.
READ MORE SUN STORIESOdds
Switzerland – 4/1
Draw – 29/10
Germany – 4/6
*Odds courtesy of William Hill and correct at time of publication.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

SCOTLAND know a win over Hungary will almost certainly clinch their spot in the last 16 of Euro 2024.Steve Clarke’s men got a point on the board on Wednesday as they earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Switzerland.Scotland will all but secure a place in the knockout stages with a win over HungaryCredit: GettyHungary are yet to claim a point at the EurosCredit: EPAThe result leaves them third heading into their final group game as they continue to search for that illusive victory.But they are coming up against a Hungary side in need of the same.Marco Rossi’s men were tipped to be one of the dark horses for the tournament.However, back-to-back losses at the hands of Switzerland and Germany leave them bottom of Group A ahead of the Scotland clash.Anything other than three points will see them exit the Euros before the knockout stages, so it is a match both sides desperately need to win.Clarke has one particular selection headache after a huge injury blow in the Switzerland match.But the Scotland boss remained positive following their draw, while Hungary head coach Rossi had some strong words for his players ahead of their group-stage decider.Here is everything you need to know for the match.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSScotland Euro 2024 guideQUALIFYING for back-to-back Euros is an achievement in itself and the Tartan Army are sure to make the most of it.
The Scots recorded a famous 2-0 win over Spain in qualifying, but come into the Euros off the back of seven games without a win.
MANAGER: Steve Clarke
Only Jock Stein, Andy Roxburgh and Craig Brown have managed Scotland in more games than Jose Mourinho’s former assistant.
STAR MAN: John McGinn
The Aston Villa star has reached new levels under Unai Emery’s tutelage and is crucial to a midfield that provides most of Scotland’s goals.
How Scotland attack
Scotland’s three-man midfield will be crucial with the likes of McGinn and Scott McTominay providing lung-busting runs and coming up with most of the goals.
Target man Lyndon Dykes is set to be a big miss with Che Adams likely to step in as the lone striker in a 5-4-1 formation.
How Scotland defend
Scotland will put ten men behind the ball in a deep 5-4-1 block out of possession.
They will work extremely hard to deny the opposition central spaces between the lines, forcing them to resort to wide play and crosses which the Scots feel more comfortable defending.
Read the full Scotland Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags

Hungary Euro 2024 guideA DECADE ago Hungary’s glory days seemed gone forever, but they’ve now qualified for three European Championships in a row.
A 4-0 win away to England and an unbeaten qualifying campaign shows how dangerous the Hungarians can be on their day.
MANAGER: Marco Rossi
One of five Italian coaches at Euro 2024, Rossi has been granted Hungarian citizenship after revitalising the national team during his six years in charge.
STAR MAN: Dominik Szoboszlai
Hungary’s captain had a fine start to life at Liverpool before getting injured and losing his form.
How Hungary attack
Hungary will slow things down in possession as they look to draw an opposition press.
From there, they will then tend to his a longer ball over the top of through the opposition defence.
How Hungary defend
Hungary will tend to split their press with three players engaging the opposition defence on the ball and the rest sitting deep.
When this is unsuccessful, it can lead to the opposition finding plenty of space to attack.
Read the full Hungary Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags

What does their form look like?Scotland come into the clash with Hungary having won just once in their last 11 games.Their opening game of the Euros was a disaster as they were thrashed 5-1 by Germany in an insipid display.The performance we wanted, amazing Scotland fans and budgie smugglersBut they did show signs of improvement in the draw with Switzerland, a performance they will be hoping to build on.Hungary came into the tournament off the back of four wins out of five games.However, back-to-back defeats at the hands of Switzerland and Germany – scoring once and conceding five – have left them in a desperate situation.They will be clinging to moments of positivity shown against the Germans, but ultimately things are looking bleak.What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?Kieran Tierney was stretchered off against Switzerland and will play no part in this one.Ryan Porteous is still suspended after being sent off in Scotland’s opener against Germany.Scott McKenna is expected to replace Tierney as the only change to Clarke’s side.Hungary made two changes to their XI for the defeat to Germany, but are set to keep their team the same for the Scotland game.They have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match.Who will be the star men?Scott McTominayScotland’s goal against Switzerland may have come against the run of play and taken a heavy deflection, but it still showed the impressive instincts of Scott McTominay.The Manchester United midfielder is always in and around the box at the right time for his country, something they will be relying on again on Sunday.McTominay was superb for Scotland against SwitzerlandDominik SzoboszlaiLiverpool man Dominik Szoboszlai showcased his impressive dead ball delivery against Germany, even if they came to nothing.Games like these are often decided by a moment of quality and a corner or free-kick from their talisman could prove crucial in dictating the outcome of this key match.Dominik Szoboszlai is Hungary’s talisman at the tournamentWhat have the managers said?Clarke praised his side after earning a draw against Switzerland on Wednesday.He said: “This is the way we have been ­playing as a team over the last three or four years.”It’s why we are here at a tournament. We knew what we had to do. It was a good team performance against a good opponent.”We are going to feel a lot better going into the next game on the back of that performance. This is how we play, this is how we work.”As well as the dirty side of the game, we can play. We got the ball down and ­created some chances. We did what we had to do, we are still in the competition and that was the most important thing.”That was what we expected: a good reaction from a disappointing night. We are still alive in the tournament.”Hungary boss Rossi called on his side to “spit blood” to beat Scotland.He said: “Scotland is a team which has a lot of physical qualities that in some situations could make us suffer.”I think what is important to do in the last match is putting on the pitch what our fans are always asking of us. They can accept technical mistakes. They are not stupid.”They know what kind of level we have, especially compared to these kinds of opponents. But they want to see that, on the pitch – and sorry for these words – that we’re spitting our blood.”This is what I ask of the guys. I don’t ask them to win. I don’t ask them to score goals. I just ask them to put their maximum effort in. Of course, to be able to do this you must be well organised in a tactical aspect.”Against Scotland we’re expecting another kind of match and we will prepare the right tactics for that. But the most important thing is your maximum effort.”Steve Clarke is eyeing a first win at the EurosCredit: GettyHungary boss Marco Rossi is looking to avoid a third successive defeatCredit: GettySunSport predictionScotland 0-1 HungaryWhen is Scotland vs Hungary?
Scotland’s big clash against Hungary will take place on Sunday, June 23.
The game will kick off at 8pm BST.
The MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany will play host.
What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
Scotland vs Germany will be shown live on BBC One in the UK.
You can live stream the action from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
Can I watch for FREE?
Yes, you can watch for FREE on BBC One, so long as you have a valid TV licence.
READ MORE SUN STORIESOdds
Scotland – 15/8
Draw – 5/2
Hungary – 7/5
*Odds courtesy of William Hill and correct at time of publication.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More