Euro 2016 Preview: Group A

Perhaps the easiest group to call!
The hosts France are clear favourites. The Karim Benzema affair has cast something of a shadow over their preparations, with the striker suspended for his involvement in an altogether unseemly sex tape extortion case. But it would be no great surprise if – in a fashion not dissimilar to their rugby side – Les Bleus were to defy that unrest with a major challenge for ultimate glory. 
The last World Cup was a warning shot from a young side packed with potential: this could be the year its realised. Paul Pogba is the midfield fulcrum of a team with a solid defence and an embarrassment of classy offensive options, including West Ham’s superb Dimitri Payet and Manchester United’s Anthony Martial. Even the loss of defensive rock Raphael Varane should be offset by the passionate home support. 
The rest of Group A shouldn’t provide too stiff an examination anyway. Romania are a side who flattered to deceive in qualifying, for despite their sterling record, a less impressive unbeaten run you may never find. Scoring just 11 goals in 10 matches, their lack of firepower will be their undoing. Switzerland, with Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka and Stoke City star Xheridan Shaqiri to the fore, may well beat them to second, but the men from the land of Toblerone don’t have enough to strike fear into the hearts of major nations come the knockout rounds.
Albania, meanwhile, are making their major tournament bow, and are unlikely to create major problems for the hosts – or anyone else, for that matter.