Switzerland v Spain predictions: Swiss can spring another surprise

Free Euro 2020 football tips, best bets and analysis for Switzerland v Spain in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Where to watch

ITV, 5pm Friday

Best bet

Switzerland to qualify
1pt 5-2 Betfair, Power

Switzerland are competing in the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time since the 1954 World Cup and have every chance of toppling Spain, who looked defensively vulnerable in their 5-3 extra-time success over Croatia.

Team news

Switzerland
Granit Xhaka is suspended after picking up two yellow cards.

Spain
No fresh injuries are reported so Luis Enrique has the option of selecting an unchanged side.

Match preview

Switzerland's penalty-shootout success over France stands out as the biggest surprise of an unpredictable Euro 2020 and Vladimir Petkovic's improving side can take a step further by seeing off Spain in the quarter-finals.

Petkovic must find a suitable replacement for suspended captain Granit Xhaka, who was outstanding against the French, but his team are usually well organised and they are playing with a passion and intent which makes them dangerous opponents.

Spain left their ponderous start to the tournament behind them by scoring ten goals in their last two games, but they have won just one match inside normal time and that was against Slovakia, the lowest ranked team in Group E.

The Iberians' 5-3 extra-time success over Croatia was fantastic to watch but part of the intrigue was created by the defensive weakness of both teams.

Luis Enrique's side showed character and quality to recover from Pedri's 20th-minute own goal and came on strong in extra-time with goals from Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal.

But they also conceded two late goals in normal time and could have been sunk if Croatia had taken one of the two clear chances created in the early part of extra-time.

Spain have dominated possession in every game and had 67 per cent of the ball against a Croatia side featuring a strong midfield trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Matteo Kovacic.

However, there are ongoing doubts about their work in both boxes with Manchester City centre-backs Eric Garcia and Aymeric Laporte looking ill at ease and centre-forward Morata suffering a confidence crisis until his extra-time goal.

That lack of a cutting edge is a problem with which Switzerland have been familiar for several years but there are signs that their front two of Haris Seferovic and Breel Embolo are striking up a strong partnership.

Seferovic has built on a solid season for Benfica - he scored 22 goals in 31 league games - with three goals at the Euros, including two superb headers against France.

Embolo has looked powerful and pacy and offers them the perfect outlet in a game where they might have to sacrifice possession and go a little more direct.

Playing with less of the ball doesn't have to be negative and the striking thing about the Swiss performance against France was their willingness to attack at every opportunity.

They deserved to come through the game and could take another big scalp by reaching a major tournament semi-final for the first time.

Key stat

Switzerland have lost just one of their last 11 matches.

Inside info

Switzerland

Penalty taker Ricardo Rodriguez
Free-kick wizard Xherdan Shaqiri
Set-piece aerial threat Haris Seferovic
Card magnet Manuel Akanji

Spain

Penalty taker Alvaro Morata/Gerard Moreno
Free-kick wizardKoke
Set-piece aerial threatAymeric Laporte
Card magnetSergio Busquets

Lowdown

Venue Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg
Fans allowed 34,000
Time Zone BST +2 hours
Weather Sunny, max 23C
FIFA rankings Switzerland (13), Spain (6)
Head to Head Nations League, November 2020 – Switzerland 1 Spain 1; Nations League, October 2020 – Spain 1 Switzerland 0; Friendly, June 2018 – Spain 1 Switzerland 1; World Cup, June 2010 – Spain 0 Switzerland 1.

Bet builder

Switzerland to qualify
Switzerland were 1-0 winners against Spain at the 2010 World Cup - the last time the teams have locked horns at a major tournament -and could be successful in Saint Petersburg.

Under four goals
Spain and Switzerland were both involved in thrilling round-of-16 encounters but each of their last four meetings have featured fewer than three goals.

Breel Embolo to score anytime
The Borussia Moenchangladbach forward is often used as a substitute in the Bundesliga but he has become a key figure for the Swiss and his pace and power could cause Spain problems.

Guide price 14-1

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