Switzerland v Turkey prediction: Stingy Swiss could have the edge

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

Where to watch

ITV4, 5pm Sunday

Best bet

Switzerland to win to nil
1pt 2-1 general

Both sides have underwhelmed so far at Euro 2020 but Switzerland have looked the more cohesive of the pair heading into their final group game in Baku.

Team news

Switzerland
Haris Seferovic could drop out of the starting XI after being taken off at half-time against Italy, with Mario Gavranovic, who replaced him on Wednesday, likely to come in.

Turkey
Senol Gunes may make changes after his side's underwhelming performances to date. Merih Demiral and Yusuf Yazici will hope for recalls after losing their places against Wales.

Match preview

Neither Switzerland nor Turkey have enjoyed fruitful Euro 2020 campaigns and both know a victory on Sunday is the only way they'll have any chance of qualifying for the last 16.

Serial qualifiers Switzerland always seem to fall short on the big stage. Although luck was perhaps against them as they had a late goal disallowed in their opening 1-1 draw against Wales, they still managed to place only four of their 18 shots on target.

Things got worse on Wednesday as they were outclassed 3-0 by Italy, the stylish Azzurri exploiting their inflexibility. A win here and a defeat for Wales against the Italians could see them take second in Group A on goal difference but they will definitely be on their way home with a defeat.

Opponents Turkey were seen as dark horses to challenge after arriving at the tournament on a run of one defeat in 13 but were outclassed on the opening night, going down 3-0 to Italy, before being both out-fought and out-thought in Wednesday's 2-0 loss against Wales.

As a result, they must now rely on winning in front of a 'home' crowd in Baku to have any hope of reaching the last 16 as one of the best ranked third-placed teams.

So what to expect on Sunday? Well, these two have scored just a single goal between them so it's tough to envisage an open and attacking affair.

A lack of goals has been Switzerland's problem for decades, with over half of their strikes in qualifying coming in their two games against Gibraltar. Turkey have been just as uninspiring at the Euros and talisman Burak Yilmaz has found himself increasingly isolated.

Although they still hope to qualify, it is tough to see Senol Gunes affording his players more freedom for fear of being exposed by Breel Embolo's pace on the break.

If one man is to make the difference, it could be Embolo. The Borussia Monchengladbach forward has been on the scene for some time but injuries have halted his progress.

Although Turkey are sure to sit deep, both Italy and Wales will testify that they give you chances. Embolo may be more famous for his speed in behind, but his header against Wales also demonstrated that he has a poacher's edge when the right chance comes along.

The Swiss showed in that draw against the Welsh that they do get the ball forward. They could just give themselves enough opportunities to grab a goal and boost their hopes of emulating their last-16 appearance of five years ago.

Key stat

Turkey have failed to score in four of their last five European Championship games.

Inside info

Switzerland

Penalty taker Ricardo Rodriguez
Free-kick wizard Xherdan Shaqiri
Set-piece aerial threat Fabian Schar
Card magnet Granit Xhaka

Turkey

Penalty taker Burak Yilmaz
Free-kick wizardHakan Calhanoglu
Set-piece aerial threatCaglar Soyuncu
Card magnetKaan Ayhan

Lowdown

Venue Olympic Stadium, Baku
Fans allowed 34,935
Time Zone BST +3 hours
Weather Clear sky and light winds, 27C
FIFA rankings Switzerland (13), Turkey (29)

Bet builder

Switzerland to win
Despite failing to grab a winner, Switzerland still showed signs of quality on the break in their opener against Wales and should create enough to give themselves at least a chance of victory.

Breel Embolo to score at any time
If anyone is going to get on the scoresheet, Embolo might be the man. The only player from either side to have scored at Euro 2020, he won't give Turkey's defence a moment's rest

Granit Xhaka to be booked
Never a stranger to the referee's notebook, Xhaka is actually still to receive his first caution of the tournament. However, in what could be a war of attrition, expect him to be in the thick of the action.

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