Scotland vs Switzerland Prediction & Betting Tips (19 June)

Scotland presents itself as a team capable of surprising during Euro 2024. This is the second consecutive time that the Scots have participated in this competition, with the aim of improving their performance compared to 2021, where they did not had not progressed through the group stage. In the qualifiers, they took 2nd place in a competitive group including teams such as Spain, Norway, Georgia and Cyprus. Their campaign started promisingly with a landmark victory over Spain, but they then struggled and were overtaken in the standings. In March, the team went through a complicated period with defeats in friendly matches against the Netherlands 4-0 and Northern Ireland 0-1. In preparation for the Euro, Scotland logically won their first match against Gibraltar 2-0 in June, but conceded a draw against Finland in their last preparation match 2-2.

Switzerland, often seen as an outsider in international competitions, has the capacity to regularly surprise. In 2021, during the Euro, it made its mark by eliminating the favorite team, France, on penalties, before falling to Spain in the quarter-finals. During the qualifiers for Euro 2024, the Swiss finished second in their group behind Romania, ahead of Israel. In March, the team showed signs of recovery by holding off Denmark 0-0 and narrowly winning a match against Ireland 0-1. She started her preparation for the Euro with a clear victory against Estonia 4-0, followed by a good draw against Austria last week 1-1.

The Scottish team can rely on a promising young generation, accompanied by players accustomed to the highest level. Coach Steve Clarke has talent such as Gilmour (Brighton, 27 caps) and Patterson (Everton, 15 caps) who will be assets throughout the competition. They will play alongside pillars of the team such as left-back Robertson (Liverpool, 71 caps), Tierney (Real Sociedad, 45 caps), McGinn (Aston Villa) and McTominay (Manchester United, 49 caps, 8 goals). However, the Scottish team must deal with several notable absences, notably those of Hickey (Brentford) and midfielder Ferguson (Bologna), both injured, as well as the influential striker Dykes (QPR, 36 caps, 9 goals). More recently, promising Liverpool winger Ben Doak was also forced to withdraw. By choice, midfielder Anderson (Newcastle), Rangers defender Souttar (9 caps) and experienced goalkeeper Gordon were not selected in the Scottish selection. For Switzerland, winger Zuber (AEK Athens, 54 caps, 11 goals) could be forced to forfeit this match, or even the entire tournament, due to a calf injury suffered against Austria. The Swiss selection presents a fairly heterogeneous group, including both leading players and shortages in certain positions.

As a starting goalkeeper, Sommer (Inter Milan) remains indisputable after many years at the top. In defense, we find the solid Akanji (Manchester City), while the midfield is led by captain Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen) and Zakaria (AS Monaco). Offensively, Shaqiri (Chicago Fire), although at the end of his career, brings experience, while hopeful Okafor (Milan) is a promising presence. Breel Embolo, who was injured at the end of the season with AS Monaco, is also on the list, as is the newly naturalized Joel Monteiro (Young Boys). Switzerland can also count on players from Ligue 1, notably Rieder (Rennes) and Sierro (Toulouse). On the other hand, certain Ligue 1 players, such as Lotomba (Nice), Ulysses Garcia (Marseille, injured), and Cömert (Nantes) were not selected.