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After the most dramatic victories over Slovakia, England find themselves where they expected at the start of Euro 2024: the top teams from Group C in a quarter-final against Switzerland, which seemed extremely plausible when the draw was made. Destination is only partly what matters, however, as Gareth Southgate’s side endured a journey of Bagginsian zeal to even reach the last eight.
Before them lies a Swiss side that has been entirely freer from drama, coolly repeating the trick they have managed to pull off in every major tournament for a decade, and working their way into the knockout stages, ready to pick up the apple cart against the bigger names to beat. Having already sent Italy home, they will be adamant that an England in disarray cannot deter them from a first semi-final of the tournament.
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- Date: Saturday July 6 | Time: 12:00 PM ET
- Place: Dusseldorf Arena – Dusseldorf, Germany
- Watch: Fox | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Chances: England +125; Sign +190; Switzerland +290
How they got here
Switzerland’s progress in the round of 16 is indeed impressive. Starting with an authoritative victory over Hungary, Murat Yakin’s side were pressed hard by Scotland but proved they were more than just a match against top-level opposition as they came within moments of beating hosts Germany. Then came an excellent win over Italy, with Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas scoring either side of half-time in a controlled display, allowing this team to make a run through a favorable side of the game.
England could only dream of such a growing reputation. It all started so brightly when Jude Bellingham struck early to seal a win over Serbia. Things then went downhill almost continuously as they drew with Denmark and Slovenia, with the pace of decline only increasing as they collapsed towards defeat against Slovakia. Then a brilliant bicycle kick from Bellingham saved Gareth Southgate from a humiliating defeat, with Harry Kane scoring early in extra time to get England into the quarter-finals, still in with a chance to win a tournament for which they are among the leading favorites belonged before a ball had been dropped. kicked.
Team news
England: Expect the changes to come from Southgate. How could they not, when so much has gone wrong in the last few games? The Three Lions have been training in a back three this week, with Ezri Konsa expected to come in for the suspended Marc Guehi, likely on the left side of the trio, while Kyle Walker also flanks John Stones. Bukayo Saka and Trent Alexander-Arnold look set to take on the full-back role, while further forward Phil Foden and Bellingham look set to function as duel 10s behind Kane.
Possible England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Mainoo, Saka; Foden, Bellingham; Kane
Switzerland: Much of the week following their impressive win was dominated by questions about Granit shuffled to start in midfield. With a fully fit and available squad to consider, it seems unlikely that Yakin will make many changes to the side that won so impressively against the Italians.
Possible Switzerland XI: Summer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas
Prediction
Can England really do well with a system they haven’t used for a while, against an opponent who knows exactly what they are doing? One suspects not. CHOOSE: England 0, Switzerland 2