England are in the expected position after their dramatic win over Slovakia, thanks to a last-minute heroic performance from Jude Bellingham. Euro 2024 It has begun. They top Group C and are heading into a quarter-final with Switzerland that seemed quite likely when the draw was made. But it's not the destination that matters, Gareth Southgate's men have endured a Baggins-esque journey to reach the last eight.
Ahead of them will be a generally drama-free Switzerland side, calmly repeating the trick they've shown at every major tournament for the past decade and reaching the knockout stages hoping to pull off a major upset against the best of them, and having already eliminated holders Italy, the Swiss will be confident that even an English upset won't stop them reaching their first semi-final.
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Displaying Information
- date: Saturday, July 6 | time: 12pm ET
- position: Düsseldorf Arena – Düsseldorf, Germany
- clock: Fox Live Stream: Fubo (Try it for free)
- Odds: England +125; Draw +190; Switzerland +290
How did they get here?
Switzerland's run to the last 16 has been extremely impressive. After a convincing win over Hungary, Murat Yakin's men struggled against Scotland but proved more than capable of competing against the best opposition and came close to beating hosts Germany. Then came a stunning win over Italy, where goals in each half from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas and a controlled game established the team as a side capable of winning on the favoured side.
England could only dream of such burgeoning fame. It all started so brilliantly with Jude Bellingham's early winner against Serbia. Then it was all downhill for the most part with draws against Denmark and Slovenia, and it only got faster as they collapsed towards elimination against Slovakia. Then a magnificent bicycle kick from Bellingham saved Gareth Southgate from a humiliating defeat, and an early goal from Harry Kane in extra time sent England into the quarter-finals. England were favourites before the game even started, and still had a shot at winning.
Team news
England: Hoping for changes from SouthgateHow could they not do that when so many things have gone wrong in the last few games? England have been training with a back three this week, with Ezri Konsa expected to replace the suspended Marc Guehi and Kyle Walker likely to flank John Stones on the left of the trio. Bukayo Saka and Trent Alexander-Arnold look ready to take on wing-back roles, with Phil Foden and Bellingham further forward ready to operate as a dueling 10 behind Kane.
England Shortlist XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Konsa, Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Mainu, Saka, Foden, Bellingham, Kane
Switzerland: Doubts about Granit Xhaka's fitness have been the talk of the town all week following that impressive win, but the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, one of the standout players at Euro 2024 so far, is expected to put injury concerns behind him and start in the midfield. Given that he has a fully healthy and available squad, Yakin is unlikely to make many changes to the team that recorded an impressive win over Italy.
Switzerland predicted XI: Sommer; Shah, Akanji, Rodrigues; Widmer, Froeler, Shaka, Aebischer; Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas
prediction
Can England really play well in a system they haven't used for a while against opponents who know exactly what they're doing? Probably not. choose: England 0, Switzerland 2
