Prediction: Scotland vs Switzerland

Verdict: Switzerland win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Knowing that they can officially book their knockout stage ticket on Wednesday night, Switzerland will travel to Cologne when they meet Scotland.

Scotland

Starting with Scotland, while Steve Clarke’s camp might have opened this summer’s European Championships with the mood in their camp at a real high, the Tartan Army endured what was a nightmare opener last weekend. Eventually blown away in Munich as they suffered an infamous 5-1 drumming at the hands of host nation Germany, the former Kilmarnock boss has come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Despite opening this summer’s tournament with their sights set on securing a maiden knockout stage ticket, Scotland are already facing the prospect of being hit with a speedy return home. Signing off their pre-torunamenret preparations with a downbeat 2-2 stalemate at home against Finland, Clarke’s side have collected just a single victory from any of their previous 10 consecutive appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Shown a first-half red card against Germany on Friday night, the Watford defender will not feature in either of Germany’s final two Group A appearances. Coming off the bench in Munich, Norwich’s Grant Hanley should be handed a full recall and earn a 52nd international cap here.

With Clarke potential looking to make a handful of changes on Wednesday night, Celtic skipper Callum McGregor could feature from the start. Likewise, notching 24 Premiership goals with Hearts last season, 28-year-old Lawrence Shankland could replace Che Adams in leading the line.

Switzerland

As for Switzerland, while Murat Yakin’s men might have only just about dragged themselves to this summer’s European Championships, the Reds certainly made an early statement over the weekend. Claiming what was a rampant 3-1 victory against Hungary, the Rossocrociati will certainly be relishing their trip to Cologne on Wednesday night. Knowing that they can officially book their knockout stage ticket, the one-time Spartak Moscow boss has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their previous 15 straight appearances across all competitions. With that purple patch stemming all the way back to a 6-1 drumming at the hands of Portugal way back in December 2022, the Swiss are rightfully pencilled in as a standout contender at the RheinEnergieStadion in midweek.

Team News

While Monaco midfielder Denis Zakaria might have been included in Switzerland’s squad, the former Chelsea loanee is still suffering with a thigh injury and not expected to feature on Wednesday night. Finding the net against Hungary over the weekend, Ludogorets marksmen Kwadwo Duah should keep his spot spearheading Yakin’s attack.

Picking up a second Premier League title with Manchester City last season, Manuel Akanji will start at the heart of Switzerland’s defence in Cologne. Likewise, expected to play a leading role in their charge for a knockout stage spot, former Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka will lead out the Rossocrociati in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Scotland and Switzerland last met back in March 2006, the Rossocrociati picked up a 3-1 victory in Glasgow.
• Hit with a 5-1 drumming against Germany on Friday night, the Tartan Army have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
• Including a 3-1 victory against Hungary on Saturday afternoon, Switzerland have lost just one of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions.
• Scotland have conceded at least a pair of goals in eight of their previous 10 appearances.
• Three of the last four meetings between Scotland and Switzerland have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Knowing that they could be just 90 minutes away from officially booking their EURO 24 knockout stage ticket, Switzerland should be relishing a trip to Cologne on Wednesday night. Opening their European adventure with 3-1 victory against Hungary, the Rossocrociati have remarkably suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions. With Scotland at the heart of what has become a major crisis, Clarke’s downbeat squad should have another tough challenge on their hands here.

Verdict: Switzerland win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet