Can Switzerland stifle free-scoring Spain in Euro 2020 quarter-finals?
Switzerland vs Spain - 02/07/2021
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Spain are the bookmakers’ clear favourites to advance to the Euro 2020 semi-finals at the expense of Switzerland on Friday.
The two sides clash at Saint Petersburg’s Gazprom Stadium in the first quarter-final of this summer’s European Championship.
Despite the Spaniards’ obvious superiority, Switzerland will be confident of claiming another huge scalp, having dispatched France in the previous round.
The Swiss qualified for the knockout phase as one of the best third-place teams after picking up four points in Group A.
After drawing 1-1 with Wales, they were beaten 3-0 by Italy in their second game before seeing off Turkey 3-1 on Matchday 3.
Haris Seferovic scored twice as Switzerland drew 3-3 with France and took the 2018 World Cup champions all the way to penalties last time out.
The Swiss ended up converting all five of their spot kicks, leaving PSG star Kylian Mbappe to miss the decisive penalty.
It is worth noting that Switzerland have only lost one of their previous 11 encounters in all competitions (eight wins, two draws).
Looking at the bigger picture, however, the Swiss have only managed to win one of their last seven European Championship games.
Meanwhile, Spain were held to draws by Sweden and Poland in their opening two matches before thrashing Slovakia 5-0 on Matchday 3.
Luis Enrique’s men also scored five against Croatia in the Round of 16, with Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal finding the back of the net in extra-time.
The Spanish now head into the quarter-finals on a 12-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (six wins, six draws).
Spain have netted a combined total of 11 goals across their previous three matches, although they have also conceded four in that time.
If Enrique’s side are serious about going all the way at Euro 2020, they will need to tighten things up defensively.
Head-to-head: Switzerland and Spain have faced each other 22 times over the years. Remarkably, the Swiss have only beaten the Spaniards on one occasion.
The teams met twice in the 2020 Nations League, and Spain took four points from a possible six last year.
Team news: Switzerland will be without key midfielder Granit Xhaka on Friday, with the Arsenal star serving a suspension.
As for Spain, Jose Luis Gaya is nursing an injury and could miss the quarter-finals. Enrique is likely to stick with Morata in attack.
With so much at stake, Friday’s clash is destined to be a tense affair. The tight nature of the game could favour the underdogs.
For that reason, Forebet predicts that Switzerland will hold Spain to a low-scoring draw after 90 minutes. Extra-time and/or penalties could well be needed to decide the outcome of this one.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
Eu
235621
X
1 - 1
2.38
20°
3.90
5.80
3.90
1.67
1
1
-1
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