Germany v Scotland score predictions as SunSport writers deliver big forecasts

WE are closing in on the huge kick off in Munich as Steve Clarke’s men look to start Euro 2024 with a bang against the hosts.

It’s Scotland’s first clash in a competition on foreign soil in 26 years – and we opened France ’98 too.

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But this time it’s Germany and the match is just one more sleep away, with thousands of fans already descending on Munich ahead of the long-awaited opener.

The wait is almost over and fans are debating who should get the nod to start, and what the score-line will be.

And that’s the same here at SunSport as our experts – some of whom have already landed in Germany – have given their big predictions on the showdown.

ROBERT GRIEVE

Germany 1 Scotland 1

ADMITTEDLY, it’s maybe a case of my heart ruling my head.

But Steve Clarke’s Scotland raise their game against top class opposition, therefore I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of all possibility that they can get a positive result in Munich.

Toni Kroos worries me with the German legend a class act.

Yet Billy Gilmour won’t be fazed by anyone he’s up against and I expect the wee man to show his ability on the big stage.

Scott McTominay will play and his goalscoring tally in a dark blue jersey gives us a genuine attacking threat.

ANDY DEVLIN

Germany 2 Scotland 0

Just call me “Negative Norman”. I admire Steve Clarke’s optimism, but scoring goals could be a major issue in this tournament. Can’t see anything other a win for the host nation.

DAVID FRIEL

Germany 1 Scotland 1

Germany on home soil in a Euros opener is a daunting task for Steve Clarke‘s side but Scotland can get a result.

Manuel Neuer is well past his best and the veteran Bayern Munich keeper should be targeted.

Much is made of Scotland’s lack of a top-level No9 but there are goals throughout the team and Clarke’s boys can cause problems.

ROBERT MARTIN

Germany 3 Scotland 1

I think we’ll give the Germans a real fright in Munich and I have a sneaky feeling we might even score first.

But as noisy as the Tartan Army will be I also have a suspicion Julien Nagelsmann’s side will have too much quality playing in front of their own crowd and will eventually come onto a game.

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The good news, however, is I believe we’ll beat Switzerland and get at least a draw with Hungary. Defeat here won’t be fatal to Scotland’s hopes.

And if we can pick up some more confidence by giving the hosts a real run for their money then so much the better.

ROGER HANNAH

Germany 1 Scotland 1

No place for Negative Normans in Munich.

I’m going to become a Positive Pete by predicting a share of the spoils on Friday night.

Yes, the hosts have big-name stars and exciting attacking talents in Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.

Go Ballistic – SunSport’s new podcast

SUNSPORT is going Ballistic with the launch of our brilliant new podcast.

Every day of the Euros host Roger Hannah will bring you all the latest news and views from the Scotland camp in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

He will be joined by our men in Germany – Bill Leckie, Robert Grieve and Derek McGregor.

And there will also be special guest appearances from our Euro 2024 columnist Gordon Strachan, regular columnist Kris Boyd and bookie basher Jim Delahunt.

You can watch every episode on our website or our brand new YouTube channel.

What are you waiting for, it’s time to Go Ballistic!

They can even turn to Thomas Muller – a hammer of the Scots in the past – and Champions League finalist Niclas Fullkrug off the bench.

But I’d love this Scotland team to create history by advancing beyond the group stage of a major tournament for the first time.

So let’s say Scots energy can match German efficiency in Bavaria.
Vorsprung durch Tierney.

ROBERT THOMSON

Germany 1 Scotland 1

Scotland are huge underdogs going into this glamour opener but that’s just how Steve Clarke likes it.

The Scotland boss is at his best when he’s setting his side up against fancied opposition and you can bank on him coming up with a tactical masterplan to nullify the German threats.

As always, so much will depend on Scotland’s top men like Callum McGregor, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and Kieran Tierney performing at their peak and after getting a taste of Euro action three years ago, this is their time to shine on the international big stage.

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Scoring goals has been the issue for Scotland for as long as we can remember but we qualified on the back of McGinn and McTominay finding their shooting boots so we’ll need them to step up again now.

Clarke will work out a way to keep it tight so it’ll all come down to whether we can take our chances when they come along.

DEREK McGREGOR

Germany 1 Scotland 1

Avoiding defeat in Munich will be dreamland territory for Steve Clarke’s Dark Blue heroes.

And the closer we get to our biggest profile international for over 25 years the happier I’m feeling about our chances.

I’ve spent most of this week in the Germany camp and there’s genuine respect for Scotland. Our wins over Norway and Spain, they see them as a warning.

I’m sticking my neck out for a wonderful start to the Euros.

BEN RAMAGE

Germany 1 Scotland 1

Tournament openers are nervy affairs no matter how strong the hosts are and Friday night will be no exception.

Julian Nagelsmann has picked up some decent results in friendlies but is yet to even face a competitive fixture and is already under pressure to deliver success.

Steve Clarke has proved at both Kilmarnock and Scotland that his biggest strength as a boss is setting up an underdog to get a result against a so-called stronger opponent.

I won’t go as far as predicting a win, but I expect us to press high in the early stages and hopefully catch the Germans cold.

If we can nick an opener and then hold on for a draw it will set us up beautifully for the remaining two group games.

KENNY MacDONALD

Germany 1 Scotland 1

Of course it looks like a case of mein Herz ruling meinen Kopf, but I believe Scotland can put the pressure on the hosts.

Traditionally, host nations toil in their opening games at the Euros.
Portugal lost to Greece in 2004 (who would also beat them in the final).

Co-hosts Austria and Switzerland BOTH lost their openers in 2008.
Even France needed a last-minute goal to win their opener against Romania in 2016.

I predict another home nation hiccup – with Scotland benefitting.

GARETH LAW

Scotland 1 Germany 1

IT’S Germany’s first competitive game since December 2022 and they’ll have the eyes of an expectant nation watching.

Scotland go into the clash with hope but their players won’t be fazed by facing the likes of Toni Kroos, Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and co.

Everyone will think the hosts will walk this but dating back to his days at Kilmarnock Steve Clarke has a track record of knowing how to set up his sides when all the odds are stacked against them.

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