Italy v Switzerland predictions: Classy Azzurri can roll over Swiss

Free Euro 2020 football tips, best bets and analysis for Italy v Switzerland in Group A on Wednesday.

Where to watch

ITV, 8pm

Best bet

Italy -1 goal on handicap
1pt 17-10 general

Italy ran out emphatic 3-0 winners against Turkey in the opening game at Euro 2020 and, in search of a tenth successive win, Roberto Mancini's men should win comfortably against Switzerland in Rome.

Team news

Italy
Marco Verratti has returned to training but it remains to be seen whether or not he will be fit enough to feature. Alessandro Florenzi came off at half-time against Turkey with a calf problem and could miss out.

Switzerland
The Swiss squad made it through their Euro 2020 opener unscathed and should have a fully fit group available.

Match preview

Andrea Bocelli lifted the roof off the Stadio Olimpico with his rendition of Nessun Dorma in the Euro 2020 opening ceremony and Italy too hit all the right notes later that night in their stylish 3-0 win over Turkey.

That was the Azzurri's ninth successive win and it would be a bold move to oppose them stretching that streak to ten against Switzerland in Rome.

Roberto Mancini's men took 53 minutes to find a way past Turkey but were thoroughly dominant in the contest, winning the shot count 24-3 and seeing 64 per cent of the ball.

They were also sharp in both boxes, having denied Turkey a single shot on target, and although he has come under fire for previous international performances, Ciro Immobile has now bagged four goals in his last five appearances for Italy.

Players such as Federico Chiesa, Andrea Belotti and Federico Bernardeschi did not even start in Italy's opener, highlighting the added attacking firepower Mancini can call upon if his team are struggling to put away chances.

For that reason, another comprehensive win can be expected from Italy in front of their own fans and backing them giving up a goal on the handicap - to win by two goals or more - could be the way to approach this match.

Switzerland are notorious for grinding their way through the group stages of major international tournaments without really leaving a memorable mark and they have won only two of their 14 matches at the European Championships.

They will be disappointed to have let their lead slip to draw their opener with Wales but have only themselves to blame and a lack of cutting edge in the final third cost them again.

Breel Embolo is an exciting player but hardly a regular goalscorer while Xherdan Shaqiri's lack of minutes at club level meant he was largely ineffective against the Welsh.

Switzerland have the added burden of traveling from Baku, where they played their first game, to Rome before returning to Azerbaijan for their final group match with Turkey.

That will not do their preparations any favours and if they go behind early to the Italians, the Azzurri's defensive discipline and ability to monopolise possession mean the game will surely only go one way.

Expect Italy to book their spot in the last 16 with ease.

Key stat

Italy have won each of their last nine matches without conceding, prevailing by at least two goals in all of those games.

Inside info

Italy

Penalty taker Jorginho
Free-kick wizard Lorenzo Insigne
Set-piece aerial threat Ciro Immobile
Card magnet Jorginho

Switzerland

Penalty taker Ricardo Rodriguez
Free-kick wizardXherdan Shaqiri
Set-piece aerial threatFabian Schar
Card magnetGranit Xhaka

Lowdown

Venue Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Fans allowed 16,000
Time Zone BST +1 hour
Weather Sunny with cloud, 29C
FIFA rankings Italy (7), Switzerland (13)

Bet builder

Italy
The Italians were slick in their 3-0 dismantling of Turkey and can make it ten wins on the spin against a Switzerland team lacking a consistent goal threat.

Ciro Immobile to score at anytime
Italy's main forward Ciro Immobile has scored in four of his last five games for the national team and was lively in their Euro 2020 opener with six shots and a goal.

Remo Freuler to be booked
Remo Freuler picked up two cards in Switzerland's latest Nations League campaign and could struggle to keep tabs on the Italian midfield.

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