SWITZERLAND and Italy square off at the Olympiastadion in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 on Saturday evening.
Ahead of this summer's showpiece, many observers were of the view that Switzerland would suffer a group stage exit for the first time since the 2010 World Cup.
However, Murat Yakin’s men silenced their doubters by finishing second in Group A behind Germany, avoiding defeat in each of their three outings in the process.
Having sent France packing in the round of 16 at Euro 2020, Switzerland will now be aiming to bring an end to Italy's European Championship defence.
While Italy are the current kings of the continent, they have looked far from convincing across their opening three matches of the competition.
Luciano Spalletti’s side limped over the Group B finish line, with Mattia Zaccagni netting a 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia to secure the second spot for the Azzurri.
How the bookies view it: Italian job anticipated
Italy, who won just one of their three Group B matches, are 7/5 favourites on Betfred to get the job done in normal time.
Switzerland are 23/10 outsiders on Betfred, while the 90-minute draw can be backed at 2/1 with the same firm.
The bookies' odds would suggest a low-scoring affair could be on the cards in the German capital. I successfully backed under 2.5 goals in Italy's 1-1 draw with Croatia on Monday but a repeat here is too short to revisit at 1/2 on Betfred.
Head to head: Italian record impressive
Italy have avoided defeat in each of their last 11 meetings with Switzerland, a sequence that stretches all the way back to June 1994.
The pair last crossed paths in World Cup 2022 qualifying, with the most recent of those encounters ending 1-1. The same scoreline on Saturday evening can be backed at 5/1 on Betfred.
Last five H2H duels:
- 12/11/2021 (World Cup Qualifiers) – Italy 1-1 Switzerland
- 05/09/2021 (World Cup Qualifiers) – Switzerland 0-0 Italy
- 16/06/2021 (EURO) – Italy 3-0 Switzerland
- 05/06/2010 (International Friendly) – Switzerland 1-1 Italy
- 12/08/2009 (International Friendly) – Switzerland 0-0 Italy
Players to watch: Rodriguez to be reprimanded?
Switzerland’s Ricardo Rodriguez averaged one foul per game during the group stage of Euro 2024, not to mention he picked up a yellow card for his troubles against Scotland on matchday two. The left-sided centre-back is a tempting 7/2 on Betfred to collect his second card of the competition.
Nicolo Barella – who has netted 10 times in 56 appearances for his country – is 13/2 on Betfred to strike anytime against the Swiss. The Inter Milan man made the net bulge on matchday one against Albania.
Predicted line-ups
Switzerland will be without wingback Silvan Widmer who is suspended, with Leonidas Stergiou the most likely candidate to come into the Swiss side.
Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori will also serve a one-match suspension on Saturday evening after earning his second yellow card of the competition against Croatia last time out.
Switzerland: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Stergiou, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Shaqiri, Vargas; Ndoye
Italy: Donnarumma; Darmian, Bastoni, Mancini; Chiesa, Frattesi, Jorginho, Barella, Dimarco; Retegui, Zaccagni
Anything else catch the eye?
Dan Ndoye has been one of Switzerland's standout performers at Euro 2024 so far.
The Bologna ace bagged his first-ever international goal against Germany last time out with one of his two on-target efforts.
Having racked up three shots on target across his last two appearances at Euro 2024, Ndoye looks worth supporting to work goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at least once on Saturday evening at 5/6 on Betfred.
This Euro 2024 match between Switzerland and Italy will be played on Jun 29, 2024 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Switzerland vs Italy prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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