Euro 2024: Our bold prediction for the knockout rounds

The group stages are done, and the real business end of Euro 2024 starts now, with the round of 16 ties kicking off on the 29th of June.

From now on, it's win or go home, and these are our BOLD predictions from the round of 16 to the winner of the 2024 European Championships.

Hosts Germany started this tournament on fire, dispatching Scotland 5-1 and beating Hungary 2-0 before a draw to Switzerland. Denmark looks to be a stern test and held England to a 1-1 draw, but Germany's firepower will be too much for the Danes in the last 16.

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Spain has been the standout team in the Euros, winning three out of three and playing some unbelievable football, beating Croatia, Italy, and Albania. Newcomers Georgia had a shock win against Portugal, but that won't scare Spain off in the next round.

Favourites France and Belgium have had underwhelming campaigns so far, with Kylian Mbappe being the only French scorer in three games and Belgium drawing to Ukraine and losing to Slovakia. Despite both team's poor form, the quality of France's squad is too much to ignore.

Portugal was already through when they lost to Georgia, and a very different performance will be expected against a resolute Slovenian team who drew every game in the group. Slovenia likes to sit in a low block 4-4-2 formation, but Portugal will get over the line with Cristiano Ronaldo and his superstar teammates.

With a draw with Germany and Scotland and a win against Hungary, Switzerland could be dark horses in these Euros, and they play an Italy team who scraped into the knockouts with a 99th-minute equalizing goal against Croatia. Goals have been an issue for Italy and not for the Swiss, so say bye-bye to the reigning champions.

With two goals in three games in the group stages, England and Gareth Southgate know they will have to go up a gear against a good Slovakian team that beat Belgium in their opening game. Slovakia will be solid, but it's only a matter of time before Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden get it clicking up top.

Romania topped a tough group E, beating Ukraine and drawing to Slovakia, but was found out against their first bit of quality in Belgium. The Netherlands haven't looked convincing, but with the experienced Memphis Depay and Virgil van Dijk leading the way, the Dutch will go through.

Austria manager Ralf Rangnick has got his team playing out of their skin at the Euros, losing narrowly to France and beating the Netherlands and Poland. Turkey has also won two out of three, but they have the second-youngest team at the tournament, and that will cost them in the knockouts.

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The first blockbuster tie of the quarters is Spain against Germany, and Spain is going to cause an upset on Germany's home soil. Since 2008, Germany and Spain have played each other six times, with Germany winning one. Spain didn't concede a goal in the group stages, and Germany will be on the wrong side again.

Ronaldo versus Mbappé, old versus new, could be the game of the tournament and is a repeat of the Euro 2016 final. Can Diogo Dalot and 41-year-old Pepe hold the pace and power of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Marcus Thuram? Probably not. France win this on pure pace and power alone.

Austria and the Netherlands have already played out a cracker in Euro 2024, with Austria getting the better of the Dutch 3-2. Austria controlled the possession and had the most shots and corners in the group stage game. Austria will win again, but it won't be as high-scoring.

With a back three of Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodrigues, and Fabian Schar, England is going to find it tough to beat the Swiss, and it will take extra time and fresh substitutes for England to break the deadlock. Anthony Gordon or Cole Palmer need to step up, this one is yours to win.

Robert Lewandowski showed how much France's defence struggled against a target man, and Alvaro Morata is that guy. With teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on either side, France will have a torrid time against Spain, resulting in a return to the final for Spain since 2012.

Austria proved, against the Dutch, they could be a liability defensively against quality attackers, and England have the best in abundance, with Kane, Foden, Saka, and Jude Bellingham all stars in England's attacking outfit. Marc Guehi and John Stones have been perfect at the back so far. England will win this in 90 minutes.

England versus Spain will be a cracker of a Euros final, with some of the best young players in the world on show. Unfortunately for England fans, it won't be coming home. The terrible left-back situation will get heavily exploited by Spain, and they will win their third Euros in 16 years.

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