For the third time in history England cross paths with Switzerland at a European Championship, although Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final meeting will be their first in the knockout stages.
The Three Lions have been more lacklustre than usual in the tournament and reached the last eight thanks to Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time rescue act against Slovakia in Sunday’s round of 16 clash.
The Swiss, meanwhile, are basking in the glory of a thoroughly-deserved 2-0 win over Italy and an unbeaten group stage performance which saw them come within minutes of knocking Germany off top spot.
England boss Gareth Southgate will have to do without the services of suspended centre-back Marc Guehi, who has started all four games at the tournament.
Ezri Konsa appears to be ahead of Lewis Dunk in the central defensive pecking order and will probably fill in alongside John Stones, although Kyle Walker can also play at centrally if needed, or Southgate could alternatively switch to a back three.
As for Nati, Granit Xhaka has been passed fit for Saturday’s game after undergoing scans on a possible adductor problem.
Silvan Widmer is set to return at right wing-back after serving a one-game ban in the win over Italy, leaving head coach Murat Yakin with a dilemma over who will drop out for his regular starter.
Any one of four players - Michel Aebischer, Fabian Rieder, Dan Ndoye or Ruben Vargas - could make way depending on how the coach wants to set the team up.
- DOUBLE CHANCE - DRAW OR SWITZERLAND
- UNDER 1.5 GOALS
- CONOR GALLAGHER TO BE CARDED
Swiss Are On A Roll
Despite topping Group B, England were among the least convincing sides to reach the last 16 and little appears to have changed given the nature of their 2-1 extra-time victory over Slovakia.
The Slovaks finished the match having registered one more shot on target as well as producing an xG (expected goals) of around 30 per cent more than the Three Lions.
Southgate has faced criticism for the way his side have taken backwards steps after scoring first against Serbia and Denmark.
But it is baffling how a team containing so much talent has produced so few threatening attacks in their last two matches.
The contrast to Switzerland, who have been one of the revelations of the tournament, is stark.
However, Nati’s appearance in the last eight should not be a total shock as they went out in the quarter-finals to Spain in 2021 on penalties after knocking strong fancies France out in the last 16.
Yakin brought a squad with over 1,000 international caps to the tournament and their experience was one of the main factors behind the stunning 2-0 win over the Azzurri on Saturday.
Italy were outplayed until Switzerland began to sit deep in the second half to protect their two-goal advantage.
Given they were also only minutes away from defeating the Germans, it seems likely that Switzerland do not lose to England in Dusseldorf.
Southgate’s side have failed to win their last three games in 90 minutes and overall in 2024 the Three Lions have won only two of their eight contests.
But they are a team with a great fighting spirit who never know when they are beaten, as was shown when Bellingham struck on Sunday, so it is worth taking the safer option of backing Switzerland or Draw in the Double Chance market.
DOUBLE CHANCE - DRAW OR SWITZERLAND
BET ON ENGLAND VS SWITZERLAND
Goals Likely To Be At A Premium
A quick glance at the results of both teams at Euro 2024 reveals scant prospects of more than one or two goals in Sunday’s game.
There have been exactly two goals in Switzerland’s last three games and no more than two in all four of England’s matches in Germany.
Both teams have been built around solidity at the back and in midfield with England rarely looking to let the handbrake off unless the situation demands it.
But the team have also looked jaded during the tournament with some suggesting the dull tactics are a result of players that are too tired to press their opponents.
Switzerland have not been among the top 10 pressing teams in the tournament either, with Yakin’s side focused on controlling games by dominating possession.
The ingredients for goals simply do not look to be there, although Harry Kane’s second strike of the tournament could do him the world of good after lacking his usual sharpness so far.
Backing fewer than 1.5 goals in the 90 minutes could be a way to extract a good odds-against return from the goal markets.
UNDER 1.5 GOALS
Chelsea Midfielder To Be Carded
Conor Gallagher has only played 117 minutes in Germany, but has committed more fouls than any other England player and received a yellow card.
His role is to disrupt and rattle opponents in midfield and his qualities may be required by Southgate on Saturday, although most probably from the bench.
But his average of fouling an opponent every 23 minutes means he could easily pick up another caution in the contest.
The Swiss are not an aggressive side, but only five squads at Euro 2024 have suffered more fouls than Yakin’s squad.
CONOR GALLAGHER TO BE CARDED
