On Saturday, June 29th, 2024, the iconic Olympiastadion in Berlin will host the first match of the Euro 2024 knockout stage as Switzerland take on Italy in a highly anticipated last-16 clash.
These two European heavyweights have a rich history of encounters, and their latest showdown promises to be a tightly contested affair as they battle for a place in the quarter-finals.
Match Preview
Switzerland have been a consistent presence in the latter stages of major tournaments in recent years, having qualified for the knockout phase in each of the last six European Championships and World Cups.
Led by experienced manager Murat Yakin, Die Nati navigated their way through a challenging Group A, finishing second behind tournament hosts Germany.
Key players such as Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Breel Embolo will be crucial to Switzerland’s hopes of progressing further.
Italy, the reigning European champions, had a more turbulent path to the last-16, narrowly avoiding a playoff by finishing second in Group B.
The Azzurri have struggled to recapture the form that saw them triumph at Euro 2020, with the penalty shootout heartbreak against North Macedonia in World Cup qualifying still fresh in their minds.
However, the squad boasts a wealth of talent, including the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jorginho, and Federico Chiesa, and they will be determined to defend their continental crown.
Switzerland enter this match on the back of a solid group stage campaign, where they remained unbeaten, picking up five points.
Their most recent outing saw them hold tournament hosts Germany to a 1-1 draw, with Dan Ndoye’s opener being cancelled out by a late Niclas Füllkrug equalizer.
Italy, on the other hand, have had a more mixed bag of results in the group stage. They opened with a narrow 2-1 win over Albania before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Spain.
In their final group game, they snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw against Croatia, with Mattia Zaccagni’s late strike securing their place in the knockout rounds.
Head-to-Head
The history between these two nations is heavily skewed in Italy’s favor, with the Azzurri unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Switzerland (W5, D6).
The most recent encounter in the competition was a 3-0 victory for Italy at Euro 2020, and they will be hoping to continue their dominance in this fixture.
Prediction
This match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams well-versed in the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents.
Switzerland’s defensive solidity and counter-attacking prowess could pose problems for an Italian side that has struggled to find their rhythm in the tournament so far.
However, the Azzurri’s pedigree and the individual quality of their players may ultimately prove the difference.
- Prediction: Switzerland 1-1 Italy (Italy win on penalties)
Betting Tips
Match Result: Draw – The two teams are likely to cancel each other out, and a draw at the end of 90 minutes is a distinct possibility.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Under 2.5 goals – These teams are known for their defensive organization, and a low-scoring affair is the more probable outcome.
Both Teams to Score: No – Given the defensive strengths of both sides, it’s unlikely that both teams will find the back of the net.
Handicap: Switzerland +0.5 – Switzerland have the quality to at least avoid defeat against the Italians, and a handicap bet on the Swiss could prove profitable.
