Prediction: Switzerland vs Italy

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Dachbet

With the EURO 24 knockout stage getting underway this weekend, reigning European champions Italy will travel to Berlin when they meet Switzerland.

Switzerland

Starting with Switzerland, although Murat Yakin’s men might have suffered last-gasp heartbreak against host nation Germany in their final Group A appearance last weekend, the Rossocrociati should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Opening their EURO 24 adventure with an eye-catching 3-1 romp against Hungary on June 15th, the former Basel boss has seen his squad gain plenty of plaudits this summer. Mustering five points from their three Group A appearances over the past fortnight, the Swiss have now suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 17 matchups across all competitions. Likewise, despite being tipped as a real underdog when they arrive in Berlin this weekend, Switzerland have lost just one of their last six showdowns against the defending European champions.

Team News

Picking up what was a costly late booking against Germany last weekend, Mainz defender Silvan Widmer will miss out on Saturday evening as the 31-year-old serves a one-match suspension. Making a first start of the summer in Frankfurt last week, Monaco marksmen Breel Embolo should keep his spot spearheading Switzerland’s charge.

Playing a crucial role as Bayer Leverkusen got their hands on a maiden Bundesliga crown last season, former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka will lead out Yakin’s squad and earn a 129th international cap here. Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji will once again be partnered by Newcastle’s Fabian Schar at the back.

Italy

As for Italy, snatching what was a famous last-gasp equaliser against Croatia on Monday night as they avoided what would have been an infamous EURO 24 collapse, the Azzurri will be desperate to use that dramatic late flurry as a platform to build on. However, despite eventually limping their way to a second-place finish in Group B behind fellow European giants Spain, the former Napoli boss is still waiting for his squad to click into top gear. Despite signing off their pre-tournament preparations with a 1-0 victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy are looking to find some recent fluidity in the final third. In fact, the Blues have failed to record more than a single strike in four of their previous five matchups across all fronts.

Team News

Shown a late red card in Leipzig on Monday night, Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori will miss out here as the former Roma starlet serves a one-match suspension. While Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni might have come off the bench and bagged that iconic last-gasp equaliser against Croatia earlier in the week, the 29-year-old will likely have to settle for another spot among Spalletti’s substitutes.

Dropped against the Blazers earlier in the week and still yet to open his EURO 24 account this summer, Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca will be hoping to be handed an immediate recall. Juventus’ Federico Chiesa could also feature from the start and replace Giacomo Raspadori.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Switzerland and Italy last met back in November 2021 while in World Cup qualifying action, Saturday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate.
• Five of the previous six meetings between Switzerland and Italy have finished in a draw.
• The Swiss have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 17 appearances across all competitions.
• Italy have recorded more than a single strike in just one of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
• Neither of Saturday’s opponents managed to muster a single clean sheet in any of their three respective group stage appearances this summer.

Conclusion

Although the defending European champions might open their Round of 16 showdown pencilled in as a standout contender with the bookmakers, a high-flying Switzerland are looking to spring a famous upset in Berlin. Although the Swiss might have suffered last-gasp heartbreak as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against host nation Germany, they were unbeaten in all of their three Group A appearances. It should be noted, with both of Saturday’s opponents failing to record a single respective clean sheet this summer, we could be set for a nail-biting affair here.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Dachbet