Sports Mole previews Sunday’s European Championship clash between Switzerland and Germany, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Battling it out for top spot in Group A at Euro 2024, hosts Germany and next-door neighbours Switzerland meet in Frankfurt on Sunday evening.
While Die Mannschaft moved onto maximum points by beating Hungary last time out, their Swiss counterparts were held to a draw by Scotland and may still need a point to reach the last 16.
Match preview
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Guaranteeing safe passage through to the knockout rounds, Germany confirmed their place in Group A’s top two on Wednesday evening, beating Hungary 2-0 in Stuttgart.
Goals in either half from Jamal Musiala and captain Ilkay Gundogan saw the Euro 2024 hosts successfully follow up an opening-night mauling of Scotland to become the first team to qualify for the last 16.
They will now win their group by at least avoiding defeat against Switzerland, leaving head coach Julian Nagelsmann in a strong position should he wish to rotate a talented 26-man squad.
After succeeding Hansi Flick, Nagelsmann’s reign started uncertainly, but his team are now on a six-match unbeaten streak – five of which have ended in victory – and are impressing pundits with their commitment and clarity.
Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz have caught the eye, in combination with some more experienced members of Die Mannschaft, and as one of the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy in Berlin, they will be expected to make it three wins from three.
Throughout 53 previous international games against Switzerland, the only time Germany failed to score was a goalless draw way back in April 1968, and the current squad seem equipped to keep that run going this weekend.
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Switzerland are actually unbeaten in their last three meetings with Germany – which have incidentally produced an average of 5.3 goals per game – having lost 16 of the previous 18.
Simply avoiding defeat on this occasion would send them through to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 – or even if they lose in Frankfurt, Scotland failing to beat Hungary will also be enough to seal their progress.
In the event that Switzerland lose and Scotland win, then goal difference is very likely to weigh in their favour, while staging an upset against their German hosts would even see Die Nati claim first place in Group A.
Such a position of strength was secured by following an opening win over Hungary with a less impressive stalemate against Scotland, with Xherdan Shaqiri‘s superb equaliser one of few magical moments in an otherwise scrappy affair.
Switzerland may have lost just one of their last 12 games at the European Championship – versus Italy three years ago – but since the start of Euro 2016 they have also drawn more times than any other nation.
Remarkably, though, the Swiss have not lost their final group game in any of their last eight tournament appearances, suggesting that Murat Yakin‘s men can start planning for participation in this year’s last 16.
Switzerland European Championship form:
Switzerland form (all competitions):
Germany European Championship form:
Germany form (all competitions):
Team News
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After a smooth start to their home finals, Germany are unlikely to make many changes to a winning side this weekend, with boss Julian Nagelsmann aiming for continuity as the knockout rounds approach.
Ilkay Gundogan could even captain an unchanged XI in Frankfurt, joining Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz in support of Kai Havertz up front.
However, center-back pairing Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rudiger are both on a booking – along with Stuttgart left-back Maximilian Mittelstadt and midfield enforcer Robert Andrich – so Nagelsmann may take such matters into consideration.
Switzerland are set to name a similar side to that which was frustrated by Scotland on Wednesday evening, although Breel Embolo is edging closer to full fitness after his long injury layoff and could even be handed a start.
Having been promoted from the bench and then spectacularly scored at a sixth major finals, Xherdan Shaqiri will hope to retain his place; however, Murat Yakin may opt for a more cautious approach against stronger opponents.
Meanwhile, experienced midfielder Denis Zakaria has been struggling with a thigh injury but is now expected to rejoin the Swiss squad and take a place among the substitutes.
Switzerland possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Ndoye, Vargas; Embolo
Germany possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Kroos; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz
We say: Switzerland 1-2 Germany
Somewhat surprisingly, these nations have not met at a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup, when West Germany beat Switzerland 5-0 in the group stage.
While that kind of scoreline is not on the cards this time around, Germany are hitting top form and can cruise through to the last 16 as group winners – even in defeat, the Swiss should surely join them.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.