UEFA Euro 2024: Will Switzerland continue their unbeaten streak or will Scotland spring a surprise in Group A?
Switzerland-vs-Scotland (Image via GettyImages)
New Delhi: After suffering the heaviest-ever opening defeat against hosts Germany at the Euro 2024, Scotland are ready to restore a sense of pride against Switzerland in Cologne today (June 19, Wednesday). On the other hand, their counterparts Switzerland will try to keep their campaign going on a winning streak in another match as they managed to defeat Hungary 3-1.
Steve Clarke’s men were the talk of the town before their first match but the celebration of their ardent supporters were curtailed as Germans outclassed them and left them to shreds in Munich. Whereas Murat Yakin’s side were guilty of taking their foot off the gas in the second half but anyhow managed to win the match.
Thanks to the efforts of Breel Embolo and co in the last match the second-placed Swiss will be guaranteed a top-two ranking in Group A with today’s victory before tackling Germany in their final group fixture. On the contrary, Scotland is already rooted to the fourth place and will be out of top-two contention with another defeat no matter the scoreline of Germany and Hungary’s battle. Clarke’s men are still left with 180 minutes to save their Euro bacon.
Team News
Porteous will miss the clash against Scotland and the final group fixture against Hungary as he was suspended on account of his red card in thrashing against Germany. Grant Hanley or Scott McKenna are expected to fill the void in the back. Billy Gilmour was overlooked by Clarke against the Germans but is an obvious candidate for promotion to the starting lineup.
In Switzerland’s dugout, there is good news as midfielder Denis Zakaria who has been nursing a thigh injury was able to complete Sunday’s session and likely to hit the field. Silvan Wilder and Remo Freuler need to be cautious otherwise they will be suspended for the Germany match.
Head-to-Head
Scotland holds a good historical record against Switzerland and have won eight out of the 16 matches played between the two whereas Switzerland has managed to win only five. This time they lock horns for the second time in the UEFA EURO competition, the other time they faced each other was in 1996 when Scotland won by a 1-0 scoreline.
The last meeting between both teams in all competitions was in 2006 in Hampden Park with Switzerland winning the friendly game by a 3-1 scoreline. Switzerland have lost just two of their last 14 games at major international tournaments. On the contrary, Scotland’s 1-5 defeat against Germany last week was their second largest at a major tournament since a 0-7 loss against Uruguay in the 1954 FIFA World Cup.
Predicted lineup
Switzerland: Sommer; Schär, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas
Scotland: Gunn; Hanley, Hendry, Tierney; Ralston, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson; McTominay, Adams, McGinn
When, where and how to watch the Scotland vs Switzerland match in India?
The Scotland vs Switzerland UEFA Euro 2024 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 will be available on SonyLIV app and website. The action begins at 12:30 am IST tonight.
Follow us on social media