Switzerland Euro 2020: Team News, Odds & Predictions
Switzerland go into Euro 2020 this summer looking to at least match their showing in France in 2016. The Swiss reached the Round of 16 five years ago, with their squad having the experience and quality to be a threat. Drawn along with Italy, Turkey and Wales in Group A, we will not have to wait long to see just how good Switzerland are. Ahead of their opening match against Wales, we take a closer look at Switzerland’s chances at Euro 2020. This includes information regarding their manager, key players and betting markets.
Switzerland History
Euro 2020 will be Switzerland’s fifth appearance at the European Championship Finals. Their debut came back in 1996, however they failed to make it out of the group stage in England. A similar fate awaited them in both 2004 and 2008, before they finally made it through to the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time in 2016. However, they were beaten at the Round of 16 stage on penalties by Poland. Switzerland have been regulars at the World Cup, reaching the Round of 16 in both 2014 and 2018. Such records perhaps demonstrate where the country sits in the footballing world at present.
How Switzerland Qualified for Euro 2020
Having been handed a favourable group alongside Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Georgia and Gibraltar, Switzerland qualified for Euro 2020 after finishing top of the standings. Just one defeat from 8 meant that the Swiss finished on 17 points, one clear of Denmark. Switzerland averaged 2 goals per game during the campaign, while they only conceded six goals. They ended their campaign with a 6-1 away win over Gibraltar, a result which secured them automatic qualification. Despite struggling domestically, Rangers striker Cedric Itten finished as Switzerland’s top scorer in qualifying, with three goals to his name.
Switzerland in Group A
With pre-tournament friendlies against the USA and Liechtenstein coming up, Switzerland will kick start their Euro 2020 campaign against Wales in Baku. The team will then travel to the Italian capital, where they will take on the Azzurri and Turkey in the space of five days. Such encounters will determine whether we see Switzerland in the Round of 16 again. The following is a breakdown of Switzerland’s Euro 2020 Group A fixtures:
- Best Odds Available
- Wide range of Betting Markets
- Super fast deposits & withdrawals
- Live streaming service
- Best Odds Available
- Wide range of Betting Markets
- Super fast deposits & withdrawals
- Live streaming service
Switzerland Euro 2020: Odds & Predictions
Having never gone beyond the Round of 16 at a major tournament, it would come as a surprise should Switzerland do so this year. This is reflected in the outright tournament winner odds from major bookmakers. TonyBet offers the Swiss odds of 80/1 to go all the way, putting them behind the likes of Russia and Ukraine in this area. The following is how Switzerland are priced at top betting sites:
| Bet365 | 66/1 | |
| Tonybet | 80/1 | |
| 888Sport | 63/1 | |
| SportNation | 66/1 | |
| Betfair | 60/1 | |
| NetBet | 66/1 | |
| William Hill | 80/1 | |
| Ladbrokes | 50/1 |
Elsewhere, odds of 11/10 for Switzerland to beat Wales in their first match from William Hill look more appealing. For those favouring outright markets, striker Haris Seferovic is 150/1 at Bet365 to be the leading goalscorer this summer. Perhaps more likely is Noah Okafor winning the young player of the tournament award. The Red Bull Salzburg forward is 33/1 with Betvictor to do just that.
The Manager
57-year-old Vladimir Petković is the current Switzerland Head Coach, having been in charge since 2014. The experienced coach has managed the likes of Lugano, Young Boys and Sion in the Swiss top-flight in the past. At the end of 2013, he was announced as the new national team Head Coach, officially taking over from Ottmar Hitzfeld after the 2014 World Cup. This led to a dispute with his existing club Lazio, which is still ongoing to this day. Having taken Switzerland to the Round of 16 at both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, Petkovic is perhaps doing better than expected.
Standout Players
The Swiss squad has an abundance of experience, with captain Granit Xhaka closing in on 100 international caps. The Arsenal midfielder is joined by defender Ricardo Rodriguez, Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri and forward Haris Seferović. Despite having only recently overcome a serious injury, Denis Zakaria is another player to look out for. The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder could well secure a big money transfer following Euro 2020. His club teammate Breel Embolo provides electric speed in attack, while Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji is certain to start.
Switzerland’s Strengths & Weaknesses
We have already discussed just how crucial Switzerland’s experience could be. However, they also have some quality players. Seferović is a significant physical presence in attack, with the Benfica frontman having scored over 20 international goals during his career to date. The Swiss are not a team that stand out in one particular area, however it is worth noting that matches involving Petkovic’s side often feature a hatful of goals.
Switzerland are perhaps missing a quality creative player in midfield, with this role generally falling to Shaqiri from wide areas. They are certainly not afraid of getting the ball into the box, with Switzerland’s direct approach potentially causing some opponents trouble at Euro 2020.
Our Prediction for Switzerland at Euro 2020
Given their experience, it would come as no surprise should Switzerland reach the Round of 16 at Euro 2020. We even think that betting on them reaching the quarter finals is worth considering, especially at odds of 5/2 from Betfair. An opening win against Wales would certainly help them on their way. Much will depend on what position they finish in Group A. Should they finish as runners up, they would likely take on one of Denmark, Austria and Russia in the first knockout round, opponents that they would fancy themselves against.
