Scotland will lock horns with Switzerland at UEFA Euro 2024 clash at the RheinEnergieStadion on Wednesday desperate to pick up a victory.
Scotland were thrashed by Germany 5-1 in the tournament opener, and they will look to bounce back with a positive performance vs Switzerland. A defeat on Wednesday could more or less and their chances of reaching the knockout rounds of the competition, and it remains to be seen whether Steve Clarke’s men can step up and deliver.
Meanwhile, Switzerland are coming into this game on the back of a comprehensive victory over Hungary, and they will look to build on that performance here. They have the quality to pick up all three points against Scotland, and it remains to be seen whether the players can put on a professional performance here and take a giant leap towards the knockout rounds of the competition.
Team News & Tactics
Scotland
Scotland will be without Ryan Porteous, who picked up a red card against Germany. Other than that, Steve Clarke does not have any major injury issues. Scotland are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation vs Switzerland, with Angus Gunn in goal.
In the back three, Grant Hanley will start alongside Jack Henry and Kieran Tierney. They will look to keep things compact at the back and help the team build from the deep. Anthony Ralston and Andrew Robertson will start as the wing-backs. They will look to help out in the attack and protect the central defenders as well.
Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie will start in the central midfield pairing, and they will look to add creativity and drive to the side. John McGinn and Scott McTominay should feature as the advanced midfielders.
They will look to add creativity to the side in the final third and drop down to crowd out the midfield at times. Finally, Lawrence Shankland will lead the line for Scotland against Switzerland on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Gunn; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; Ralston, McGregor, Christie, Robertson; McGinn, McTominay; Shankland
Switzerland
Denis Zakaria, Steven Zuber, and Dan Ndoye are all suffering from minor injury problems, and they are unlikely to be risked here. Switzerland are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation vs Scotland, with Yann Sommer in goal.
In the back three, Fabian Schar will start alongside Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez. Silvan Widmer and Michel Aebischer will start as the wing-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
As for the midfield unit, Remo Freuler will add defensive cover to the side, while Granit Xhaka adds creativity and composure to the side from the deep. Ruben Vargas and Zeki Amdouni will start as the advanced midfielders here, and they will look to create goalscoring opportunities in the final third with their passing, link up play and vision.
Finally, Kwadwo Duah will lead the line for Switzerland against Scotland. He produced an impressive performance against Hungary, and it remains to be seen whether he can make a defining impact here as well.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Vargas, Ndoye; Duah
Key Stats
- Scotland have won eight of the last six meetings against Switzerland.
- Scotland have won just six of their last 33 matches at major tournaments.
- Switzerland have never won two consecutive matches at the start of a major tournament.
- Switzerland have picked up seven wins and seven draws from their last 15 matches in all competitions.
- Scotland have lost three of their last five matches.
Player to Watch
Granit Xhaka
The 31-year-old Switzerland midfielder was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch against Hungary, and he will look to continue his impressive run of form vs Scotland. He has had an impressive club campaign with Bayer Leverkusen, helping them win the Bundesliga title.
Xhaka will add physicality, defensive cover and control from the middle of the park. His ability to create goalscoring opportunities from the deep with accurate passes will add a new dimension to the Switzerland attack. Furthermore, his leadership qualities will also be invaluable for his team. The experienced midfielder is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Scotland 0-2 Switzerland
Switzerland are undoubtedly the better team here, and they should be able to grind out all three points. Scotland will look to put up a fight here but the gulf in class between the two teams should see Switzerland pile further misery on Steve Clarke’s men. A comfortable win is on the cards for the Swiss.
