Switzerland and Spain travel to Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg on Friday, July 2, for the EURO 2020 quarter-finals bout. These two sides last met in November 2020, when they parted ways with a 1-1 draw, with Spain winning two of the previous four bouts with 1-0 and 3-0.
Switzerland vs Spain
When: Friday, July 2 – 19:00 MSK
Where: Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Weather: Sunny, 19°C
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
Switzerland achieved what seemed impossible and defeated France on Monday to advance to their first EURO quarter-finals. It also marks the first time the Swiss have made it to the final eight at an international tournament since the 1954 World Cup.
A win today would earn the Swiss their best placement at an international football tournament in the country’s history, and while beating Spain won’t come easy, the Nati should feel confident in their ability to do so after eliminating the reigning world champions.
Spain Aren’t Invincible
Spain made it past Croatia with 5-3 on Monday in a match that could have easily ended the other way. Spain held a 3-1 lead in the 77th minute yet conceded two in 85’ and 90’+2 for the match to go into overtime.
Spain did not need long to prove that they were the better team with a 100’ goal via Alvaro Morata and a 103’ goal from Mikael Oyarzabal. Even though Spain needed extra time to seal the deal (despite leading by two goals with less than 15 min to spare), they were deserving victors.
As much as we can praise La Roja for winning against Croatia, that game also showed that they could be beaten, and that’s definitely something Swiss will look to prove today.
Despite what their five goals against Croatia would suggest, Spain struggle to produce as many goals as they should, given the talent they have. Looking back, Spain drew with Poland (1-1) and Sweden (0-0), and while they have improved the impression with two high-scoring games, it’s hard to praise them too much for a 5-0 win against Slovakia and their blunder against Croatia in the final moments of the match.
Switzerland In Hot Form
Obviously, the Swiss aren’t as talented as Spain, however, they are in exceptional form heading into this match. Nati are 8-1-1 in their last ten outings, having lost only to Italy (1-3) and drew with Wales (1-1).
What’s more, they enter this match off a historic victory against France. Although the game was decided via a penalty shootout, it’s not like the Swiss didn’t deserve to win. They were simply the better team on the day, which is more a testament to their quality rather than the lack of quality in the French team.
Talking about Nati’s win against France, they could have won it in 90 minutes had Ricardo Rodriguez scored the 55’ penalty.
For this match, the Swiss are expected to struggle to keep the ball at their feet, largely due to Spain’s style of play, but that shouldn’t harm them too much. Vladimir Petkovic are excellent in pressing the ball and not allowing their opponents too many chances, which could be a problem for Spain as they look to unlock their strikers.
Spain vs Switzerland Betting Picks
Spain are clear favourites to win today, but the Swiss seem a bit underestimated at the offered odds. They are arguably the strongest team Spain have faced at EURO 2020 so far, and if Nati can recreate what they have produced against France, La Roja will be in for a shock.
Switzerland have the talent and momentum to keep this match close and at least force a draw. If La Roja fail to capitalise on their chances, a win for the Swiss isn’t beyond the realms of possibility either.
Prediction: Switzerland +0.50 Asian Handicap
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