SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 9 hrs 21 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
FN
European Championship | Round of 16
Jun 28, 2021 at 8pm UK
Arena Naţională
SN

France
3 - 3
Switzerland

Switzerland win 5-4 on penalties
Benzema (57', 59'), Pogba (75')
Varane (30'), Coman (88'), Pavard (91')
FT
(aet)
Seferovic (15', 81'), Gavranovic (90')
Elvedi (32'), Rodriguez (61'), Xhaka (76'), Akanji (108')

Preview: France vs. Switzerland - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: France vs. Switzerland - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Monday's European Championship clash between France and Switzerland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Switzerland will aim to produce a shock of seismic proportions during their Euro 2020 last-16 clash on Monday, as they gear up to meet reigning world champions France at the National Arena in Bucharest.

Les Bleus finished first in the group of death to seal progress into the knockout rounds, while Switzerland managed to qualify as one of the four best third-placed outfits.


Match preview

Not even the reigning World Cup holders could progress from the Euro 2020 group of death with nine points to their name, as Didier Deschamps's men could not replicate their opening-day performance against Germany during clashes with Hungary or Portugal in Group F.

The resilient Hungarians - who won the hearts of the neutrals despite finishing bottom of the group - managed to take a point from their clash with France, while a record-equalling and record-breaking evening for Cristiano Ronaldo saw the five-time Ballon d'Or winner cancel out Karim Benzema's own brace during a 2-2 draw on the final matchday.

A clean sweep in Group F was always going to be a pipe dream for France, but Deschamps nevertheless witnessed his side take top spot in the group to make the knockout stages for the third time in succession, although Hungary have proved that the world champions are far from the force they were in Russia three years ago.

With Kylian Mbappe still struggling to find his shooting boots amid persistent speculation surrounding his future, Deschamps would do well to get the best out of the Paris Saint-Germain attacker lest France risk an underwhelming finish at the Euros, although their last competitive defeat came over two years ago.

Les Bleus' 2-2 draw with Portugal on June 23 did mark their 10th game unbeaten across all competitions since their shock friendly defeat to Finland last year, and while their favourites tag is still present, Switzerland have every right to believe that a surprise result could be theirs for the taking.

In spite of all of his struggles at Liverpool, Xherdan Shaqiri needed no extra motivation to produce the goods for his national team, as the 29-year-old's brace set the Swiss on their way to a resounding 3-1 success over an under-performing Turkey on matchday three.

Haris Seferovic's opener preceded Shaqiri's brace - while Steven Zuber also grabbed headlines after setting up all three of his country's goals on the day - as Switzerland recovered from their draw with Wales and defeat to Italy to progress in third place.

It was far from a vintage group-stage campaign for Vladimir Petkovic's side, but the spot in the last-16 is all that matters for the Swiss, who have now successfully advanced to the knockout stages of a major tournament four times in succession.

However, Switzerland have been sent packing at this stage three times in a row at a World Cup or Euros since 2014, and while France's somewhat underwhelming results in the group stage do make for positive reading, Petkovic will certainly sprinkle a dose of realism on his side's chances before facing the world champions.

France and Switzerland played out a drab goalless stalemate at Euro 2016 - two years after Les Bleus ran out 5-2 winners at the 2014 World Cup - and Switzerland are without victory in this fixture since a 1992 friendly.

France European Championship form:
  • W
  • D
  • D

France form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • D

Switzerland European Championship form:
  • D
  • L
  • W

Switzerland form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W

Team News

France's infirmary is filling up at the worst possible time for Deschamps, who will have to cope without Ousmane Dembele for the remainder of the tournament, while Lucas Digne, Marcus Thuram and Jules Kounde will also miss out the last-16 clash.

Digne only lasted seven minutes as a substitute against Portugal before being forced off, so Deschamps will desperately hope to recover Lucas Hernandez in time, otherwise Leo Dubois or Adrien Rabiot may have to deputise as an emergency left-wing back.

The France coach is reportedly preparing to field a back three for the last-16 battle, which would see Corentin Tolisso's spot in midfield sacrificed as Clement Lenglet beefs up the Bleus defence.

Thomas Lemar also picked up a minor injury in training which he will attempt to shake off before Monday, but Deschamps is unlikely to consider shuffling his attacking contingent.

In contrast, Switzerland are well-placed to name their strongest XI for the last-16 clash, as Petkovic has no injury or suspension concerns whatsoever for the trip to Bucharest.

Remo Freuler has kept Denis Zakaria out of the team so far and should do so again here, and the only real dilemma for Petkovic is whether to start Kevin Mbabu or Silvan Widmer on the right-hand side.

Shaqiri's brace against Turkey saw him become Switzerland's all-time top goalscorer at the Euros and World Cup combined, and a strike against Les Bleus would also see the Liverpool man overtake Hakan Yakin (three) to become his country's highest scorer at the Euros.

France possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Varane, Lenglet, Kimpembe; Pavard, Kante, Pogba, Hernandez; Griezmann; Mbappe, Benzema

Switzerland possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Xhaka, Freuler, Zuber; Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferovic


We say: France 2-1 Switzerland

Switzerland ought to take advantage of France's depleted left-hand side if Hernandez joins Digne on the sidelines for this contest, but trying to keep Deschamps's side quiet at the other end of the pitch is where the real challenges lie.

While we think the Swiss - who have had the luxury of a few more days off - can trouble France's defence and find the back of the net, Les Bleus should still pull through over the course of 90 minutes, but it is likely to be a closer affair than some may anticipate.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__452767 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-27 18:54:28:
html db last update - 2021-06-25 16:40:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
France Euro 2020 preview - prediction, fixtures, squad, star player
Lionel Messi reveals decision over retirement
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Manchester United could be missing nine players for Brentford clash

1

MU

Key Man City defender 'serious doubt for Arsenal clash'

2

KM

Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Man City - Saka, Gabriel

NEW

3

AI

Thursday's Transfer Talk Update: Olise, Bakayoko, Jorginho

4

TT

Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Burnley

5

CI

Liverpool 'hopeful defender has avoided serious injury'

6

L'

Preview: Benfica vs. Chaves - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PB

Man United injury, suspension list vs. Brentford

8

MU

Man United to prioritise Olise deal over Bakayoko?

9

MU

Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Las Palmas

10

BI


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .