Euro 2024 Daily Betting Briefing: Wednesday, June 19

Matchday Two of the Euro 2024 group stage kicks off on Wednesday with hosts Germany looking to become the first nation to seal a last-16 spot. 

Check out our best bets and match previews below and over on our YouTube channel.

Euro 2024 fixtures for June 19, 2024

There are three Euro 2024 matches taking place on Wednesday, June 19. These are:

2pm BST: Group B - Croatia vs Albania (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg)

5pm BST: Group A - Germany vs Hungary (MHPArena, Stuttgart)

8pm BST: Group A - Scotland vs Switzerland (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne)

Betting Odds for Wednesday's Euro 2024 fixtures

Croatia 1/2, Draw 18/5, Albania 13/2 

Germany 2/7, Draw 11/2, Hungary 11/1

Scotland 37/10, Draw 11/4, Switzerland 7/8

*UK best prices as of 10AM 19/06/2024

OddsNow's Betting Preview - Croatia vs Albania 

Above: Modric and Croatia got off to a shaky start in their 3-0 defeat to Spain on Saturday. (Photo by Alamy Images)

Team news

Both sides come into the game with full squads to select from after the opening round of fixtures, though changes could be on the agenda in both camps.

Albania goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha impressed in his first appearance at a major tournament against Italy and looks set to retain his place. 

The state of play

Mistakes proved costly for Croatia who succumbed to a damaging 3-0 loss to Spain on Saturday. Zlatko Dalic's men were made to pay for mistakes at the back before wasting opportunities of their own at the other end.

Anything other than a win against Albania will leave Luka Modric and co under a heap of pressure in their final match against Italy. 

Albania, meanwhile, made history when Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in European Champhionship history. The midfielder pounced on a loose ball to fire past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 23rd second to give his country the lead.

However, Italy responded with two quick-fire goals shortly to ensure they also head into matchday two on zero points.

Analysis and best bets for Croatia vs Albania

Albania deserve credit for the way they dug in against Italy. Yet if it wasn't for the heroics of Strakosha in goal, the minnows would have gone down by a wider margin.

Mustering only 0.46 xG, all evidence suggests Sylvinho's side will be content once again to sit in a disciplined defensive shape and look to pick off their loftier opponents on the break.

The scoreline suggests Croatia were comfortably outclassed by Spain in their opener but the fact they had 54% of the ball and carved out 2.67 xG compared to La Roja's 2.00 paints a very different picture.

Though their frailties at the back are unlikely to disappear any time soon, facing a side with minimal offensive threat means the 2018 World Cup finalists can expect to dominate the bulk of the play in Hamburg.

Even after being shell-shocked inside the opening minute, Italy managed to breach Albania's defence twice before half-time and Croatia should be capable of inflicting similar early damage.

The favourites to lead at half time and full time appeals at a general 5/4, while covering the -2 goal handicap also looks within reach at a juicy 7/2.

OddsNow's Best Bet - Croatia HT/ Croatia FT - 2pts @ 5/4 + Croatia (-2 handicap) - 1pt @ 7/2

OddsNow's Betting Preview - Germany vs Hungary 

Above: Germany's Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal of the tournament against Scotland. (Photo by Alamy Images)

Team news

German fans must have been holding their breath when Scotland defender Ryan Porteous was dismissed for a brutal challenge on Ilkay Gundogan. However, the Barcelona playmaker somehow escaped it unharmed.

That manes the hosts have a clean bill of health ahead of matchday two and as a result, Julian Nagelsmann looks unlikely to make any changes from the side that thrashed the Scots 5-1.

Marco Rossi was missing two regulars for Hungary's 3-1 defeat to Switzerland with Loic Nego and Callum Styles both missing out. Styles has a chance to return here but the clash comes too soon for Le Havre full-back Nego.

The Italian may be tempted to make tactical tweaks to his line-up after seeing his side overran by the Swiss, particularly in the opening period.

The state of play

Germany had plenty of doubters heading into the tournament but had dispelled most fears within 45 minutes of kick-off, having ran rings around Steve Clarke's shell-shocked Scotland. 

It now means that victory over Hungary will confirm the hosts as the first nation into the knockout stages, though they cannot seal top spot until matchday three.

The progression of four third-placed sides into the knockouts means it is not yet do-or-die for Hungary. Victory in their last clash with Scotland may be enough to progress on its own — though goal difference would likely be pivotal in such an instance.

Conversely, four points will almost certainly do the trick and Rossi has made no secret of how preferable a draw would be in Stuttgart.

Analysis and Best Bets for Germany vs Hungary 

It remains to be seen just how much of Germany's matchday one mauling was down to their own brilliance and, alternatively, how much of it was caused by their opponents being off the pace.

Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala caused carnage in the opener but its hard to see them being afforded as much time and space by a Hungary side who now desperately need a result to boost their prospects of progression.

Rossi's men were way below their usual standards in the first half against Switzerland but improved after the break and the Italian has proven himself to be a master motivator during his six years at the helm.

His post-match comments about his side now facing a "near impossible task" had all the signs of laying down the gauntlet to his wounded players, who have so often responded to his rallying cries.

Though this clearly poses a much stiffer task than their opener, Rossi has remarkably not lost any of his three encounters with Die Mannschaft — overseeing one victory and two draws. 

Extending that streak may be a big ask but it's fair to assume the underdogs will lift their game. The angle I like most is Hungary to manage over 3.5 shots on target at a generous 2/1.

OddsNow's Best Bet - Hungary to have over 3.5 shots on target - 1pt @ 2/1 (Bet365)

OddsNow's Betting Preview - Scotland vs Switzerland 

Above: Scotland's Ryan Porteous sees red for a reckless tackle on Ilkay Gundogan in the 5-1 defeat to Germany. (Photo by Alamy Images)

Team news

Scotland centre-back Ryan Porteous has been handed a two-match suspension after receiving a red card in his nation's humbling loss to Germany on Friday. 

Swiss midfielder Denis Zakaria is unlikely to come back into the starting line-up after missing his nation's opening victory over Hungary, while winger Steven Zuber is also expected to miss out due to an ongoing calf problem. 

The state of play

Scotland were always facing an uphill task when taking on tournament hosts Germany in their opening match, but the nature of the defeat may have caused psychological damage beyond repair.

A 5-1 hammering, which saw them 3-0 and a man down at half-time, has heaped the pressure on Steve Clarke's men to put in two drastically improved performances both here and against Hungary.

Switzerland, on the other hand, were mightily impressive as they secured a well-earned 3-1 win over Hungary on Saturday. A majestic first-half display which saw them take a 2-0 lead was followed by a resolute performance in the second stanza to fight off a potential Hungarian comeback.

The Swiss will have been boosted by the return of injury-stricken forward Breel Embolo, who came off the bench to score his country's third goal to seal three points in injury time.   

Analysis and best bets for Scotland vs Switzerland

Scotland must be more competitive in the middle of the park if they are to get anything from this game. The ease to which Germany were able to thread balls betweent the lines through to their attacking players was alarming to say the least. 

Concern only grows when looking at the dominance of the Swiss midfield against Hungary, though, particularly in the first half. Granit Xhaka was running the game alongside Remo Freuler and was a vital cog in his country coming out on top on matchday one.

If Switzerland are granted the same freedom as the Germans, things could get ugly again for the Scots who are priced to come out on the wrong side of affairs once again.

Steve Clarke's men know how detrimental another loss will prove, though, and can be expected to make a much greater fist of things here. 

Like many games in this tournament so far, goals look on the cards at both ends and backing the favourites to prevail with both teams scoring looks the smart play.

OddsNow's Best Bet - Switzerland to win with BTTS @ 7/2 (Sky Bet)

Odds Now's Euro 2024 Best Bets for Wednesday, June 19

Croatia HT/ Croatia FT @ 5/4 (Betfair) - 2pts

Croatia -2 handicap @ 7/2 (BetVictor) - 1pt

Hungary over 3.5 shots on target vs Germany @ 2/1 - 2pts

Switzerland to win with BTTS @ 7/2 (Sky Bet) - 1pt