The round-of-16 stage of EURO 2024 kicks off on Saturday as Switzerland and Italy go head-to-head for a spot in the quarter-finals on Saturday, writes JOE CITRONE.
A victory over Hungary in their opening game proved crucial for Switzerland as they drew the subsequent two matches to Scotland and Germany, meaning they took second spot in Group A behind Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
That has set up an intriguing last-16 tie against Italy on Saturday as Murat Yakin’s side will be looking to match their achievements of EURO 2020 by reaching the quarter-finals.
Switzerland find themselves as the outsiders for this clash – 23/20 with starsports.bet to win the tie – but they upset the odds at the last European Championship and that will give them belief that they could go and do it again.
LAST FIVE STATS
HEAD-TO-HEAD
NOV 2021 FIFA WORLD CUP Italy 1-1 Switzerland
SEP 2021 FIFA WORLD CUP Switzerland 0-0 Italy
JUN 2021 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Italy 3-0 Switzerland
JUN 2010 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Switzerland 1-1 Italy
AUG 2009 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Switzerland 0-0 Italy
SWITZERLAND
JUN 2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Switzerland 1-1 Germany
JUN 2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Scotland 1-1 Switzerland
JUN 2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
JUN 2024 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Switzerland 1-1 Austria
JUN 2024 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Switzerland 4-0 Estonia
ITALY
JUN 2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Croatia 1-1 Italy
JUN 2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Spain 1-0 Italy
JUN 2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Italy 2-1 Albania
JUN 2024 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Italy 1-0 Bosnia
JUN 2024 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Italy 0-0 Turkey
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The likelihood of Italy retaining their crown looks slim after a lacklustre group-stage which saw them win just one of their matches and squeak through to this stage thanks to a 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia.
They didn’t know it for definite at the time, but had it not been for Mattia Zaccagni’s stoppage-time curler that cruelly broke Croatian hearts, Italy would have been eliminated and their title defence would have ended early.
Italy will still be scarred from their two draws against Switzerland three years ago which cost them a place at the finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and revenge may well be on their mind heading into this round-of-16 clash.
However, I haven’t been impressed with Luciano Spalletti’s side so far this tournament, they were rather lucky to progress through the group, and therefore think Switzerland have a decent chance of winning the tie. At 23/10 with starsports.bet, it’s an appealing bet.
Also, due to a questionable disciplinary record and the fact he averaged a foul a game during the group-stage of EURO 2024, I also like the look of Ricardo Rodriguez to be shown a card at 16/5.
RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Switzerland to win the tie 2pts at 23/10 (⭐️
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BACK Ricardo Rodriguez to be carded 1pt at 16/5 (⭐️
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PROFIT/LOSS (EURO 2024): -30.69 POINTS