Euro 2024 Clean Sheet Predictions | OneFootball

Euro 2024 Clean Sheet Predictions

“No doubt offence sells the tickets, but defence wins championships,” as famed basketball coach Dave Thorson once said.

Once Euro 2024 concludes, the winning team will probably have the best defensive record. This will be evident in the number of clean sheets they have kept (matches in which they prevent the opposing team from scoring) and the fewest goals conceded.

Euro 2024 Clean Sheet Predictions: Group Stage Matches

Only six of the 50 teams participating in the qualification phase boasted a clean sheet percentage above 50%. Portugal led the way with an incredible 90%, and Roberto Martinez’s men only let in three goals (0.2 per match). The five other nations mentioned are France (75%), Croatia, Netherlands, Belgium (all 63%), and Romania (60%).

France and Romania kept six clean sheets, although the former played two more games. France were the only other team to concede fewer than 0.4 goals per game (0.38), while Croatia, Belgium, Albania, and England were on 0.50.

Group A

Germany automatically qualified for the championship as hosts. However, it’s worth noting that their preparations have been tumultuous, with Julian Nagelsmann replacing Hansi Flick as head coach. Both managers have seen the German team conceding goals easily. Prior to their pre-tournament friendlies, Germany have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 matches.

On the other hand, Scotland, Germany’s first opponent, kept four clean sheets in their eight qualification matches, conceding one goal per game.

Switzerland and Hungary posted only three clean sheets in 10 and eight matches, respectively. Hungary performed slightly better regarding goals conceded per game (0.88) than Switzerland, who conceded 1.10 goals.

Group B

Italy managed only three clean sheets across eight qualification matches, a modest return for a nation that has historically prided itself on defence. Spain were only slightly better, with four sheets in the same number of games. Both teams have strong defences, with Spain boasting Unai Simón and David Raya as their goalkeeping options, who led La Liga and the Premier League in the most shutouts.

Croatia, as mentioned, were difficult to penetrate in their qualifying campaign. Zlatko Dalić’s men produced five clean sheets in eight games while only conceding four times. Albania, expected to be Group B’s whipping boys, could be anything but by looking at their qualification record: four clean sheets from eight played while only conceding 0.50 goals per game.

Group C

Gareth Southgate’s side finished their qualifying campaign with a clean sheet in 50% of their outings. England, who conceded 0.50 goals across eight matches, should fancy themselves hard to breach, especially with Jordan Pickford between the sticks. Despite another difficult campaign, Everton and England’s number one managed 13 shutouts, with only Raya producing more.

Denmark, by contrast, were able to finish three matches from 10 played without letting in a goal. Serbia performed even worse, with two clean sheets across eight games. The same cannot be said for Slovenia, who are second best in this group of teams compared to England; they had four clean sheets through 10 matches. Slovenia also conceded 0.90 goals per game, a slightly better return than Serbia (1.13) and Denmark (1.00).

Group D

Les Bleus were in a league of their own during Euro 2024 qualifiers. France posted an impressive six clean sheets from their eight matches while conceding twice, giving them a healthy 0.38 average per game. The Netherlands kept one fewer clean sheet than Didier Deschamps’ side in that group. Oranje, meanwhile, conceded 0.88 goals per game and should carry that defensive prowess into the Euros, especially with Virgil van Dijk marshalling that Dutch backline.

Poland, who had to go through the playoffs to qualify for Germany, conceded an average of 1.10 goals per match and only managed to keep four clean sheets in 10 games.  Austria, 0n the other hand, kept just three clean sheets in eight matches, and with Ralf Rangnick, known for his gegenpressing tactics, leading the team, expect them to defend from the front.

Group E

Only the French and Portuguese boasted a higher clean sheet percentage than Belgium during the Euro qualifiers. Domenico Tedesco’s side only conceded four goals through eight matches (0.50 per game). Romania, though, kept more clean sheets (six) than Belgium but played two games more; hence, their clean sheet percentage is a respectable 60%.

Slovakia should also be formidable, with a 50% clean sheet percentage (five shutouts in 10 games played). Meanwhile, Ukraine were porous, producing only three clean sheets from 10 outings. They conceded 1.00 per game, which doesn’t hold them in good stead heading into the tournament.

Group F

Portugal were one clean sheet away from perfection. Roberto Martinez’s side kept nine clean sheets out of 10 matches and conceded the fewest goals (2) of any team in the qualification phase. In a favourable group, they are expected to keep three more clean sheets, although nothing should be taken for granted.

The other teams have kept at least five fewer clean sheets, with the Czech Republic posting four through eight contests, giving them a modest 50% clean sheet percentage. Turkey and Georgia produced three clean sheets each. However, Turkey played two fewer matches than Georgia, who progressed to a debut international tournament via the playoffs.

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