On July 6, in Düsseldorf, England and Switzerland will clash in the quarterfinals of Euro 2024. This match promises to be anything but secondary, as both teams have a history of contending for medals. The position of England's head coach is a volatile one, and Gareth Southgate has faced immense criticism, even more than usual during this tournament. The press and experts alike have labeled his tactics as cowardly, the playstyle as dull, and the results as laborious. Despite having stars like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, England managed to score only two goals while conceding one in the group stage. Their matches in Group C were lackluster, with five draws in six games, including two goalless ones. Only a victory against Serbia in the first round allowed the "Three Lions" to top the group and face potentially weaker opponents.
Murad Yakin took over the Swiss national team after Vladimir Petkovic, who had led the team for many years, making them regulars at major tournaments and taking them to the playoffs. Expectations were high for Yakin to not only continue this tradition but also to take a step forward. However, Switzerland only made it to the Round of 16 at the World Cup in Qatar, and their qualification campaign was far from impressive. They finished second in their group, five points behind Romania and just two points ahead of Israel. Worse still, they had no wins in their last four matches, with three draws and one loss.
The Swiss team is impressive and, if they continue to play with confidence, they have a good chance of progressing. England, on the other hand, is predictable, relying heavily on the individual skills of their players, which could be decisive in critical moments. Additionally, it's worth noting that the English played an extra 30 minutes in their last match, while the Swiss had an extra day of rest.
Prediction and Odds:- England win: 2.26
- Draw: 2.92
- Switzerland win: 3.85