Our prediction for this Euro 2024 match:
There will be fireworks when England and Switzerland lock horns at Merkur Spiel-Arena in the EURO 2024 quarter-finals. The Three Lions were on the verge of elimination against Slovakia, but Jude Bellingham’s bicycle-kick goal eventually helped Gareth Southgate keep his job. Yet another man to watch in the home team will be Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, who sealed the victory against Stanislas Lobotka and Co. Newcastle Uniter wing-back Kieran Trippier limped off with injury in the last 16 clash, with Joe Gomez likely to step up. Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is banned for the match.
The Rossocrociati, on the other hand, are more of a team than England, with Murat Yakin’s troops recording a routine 2-0 win over Italy in the previous round. However, we are tempted to put our money on draw this time out as both England and Switzerland are likely to adopt a cautious approach in Saturday’s showdown. The good news for the nominal visitors is that Mainz defender Silvan Widmer is back from suspension.
Highlighted Player (Harry Kane):
Widely regarded as one of England’s best strikers at the moment, Harry Kane enjoyed a meteoric rise at Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 21 Premier League goals during the 2014/2015 campaign to be voted PFA Young Player of the Year.
The highly rated striker went on to surpass that achievement the following season as he helped Tottenham Hotspur mount a serious title challenge for the first time in club’s recent history and he made seamless transition to international football. Kane scored four goals in his first ten appearances for England to prove he was here to stay and at the same time established himself as a first choice striker in Roy Hodgson’s squad ahead of the Euro 2016 finals.
Kane is a modern striker, who is extremely dangerous in the opposition box, but it was some outstanding goals from distance as well as link-up play with teammates that earned him an excellent reputation in world football. Kane is expected to lead both Tottenham and England in years to come, that is if he can resist the lure of top European clubs that continue to cast admiring glances his way.
Highlighted Team (Switzerland):
While missing the first ever World Cup, Switzerland played at next four, reaching the quarter-finals on three occasions, but they were unable to repeat the success in next six appearances. Nati reached the first knockout stage in 1994, 2006 and 2014, but they couldn’t make the next step.
When it comes to their European Championship appearances, the situation is even worse, as the team only qualified for the 1996, 2004 and 2016 finals, while they automatically qualified for the 2008 tournament together with co-hosts Austria. Switzerland national team of late have profited from the multicultural environment, as they appear to have closed the gap behind top European sides and also adopted a more adventurous style of play.
The new generation is probably the most talented yet, with players like Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Ricardo Rodriguez and Valon Behrami all held in high regard. Nati now have a unique chance to try and reach the closing stages of a major tournament as their key men are either at their peak or will be there in the next couple of years.