Preview: Switzerland vs. Germany – prediction, team news, lineups – Sports Mole
Battling it out for top spot in Group A at Euro 2024, hosts Germany and next-door neighbours Switzerland meet in Frankfurt on Sunday evening.
While Die Mannschaft moved onto maximum points by beating Hungary last time out, their Swiss counterparts were held to a draw by Scotland and may still need a point to reach the last 16.
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Guaranteeing safe passage through to the knockout rounds, Germany confirmed their place in Group A’s top two on Wednesday evening, beating Hungary 2-0 in Stuttgart.
Goals in either half from Jamal Musiala and captain Ilkay Gundogan saw the Euro 2024 hosts successfully follow up an opening-night mauling of Scotland to become the first team to qualify for the last 16.
They will now win their group by at least avoiding defeat against Switzerland, leaving head coach Julian Nagelsmann in a strong position should he wish to rotate a talented 26-man squad.
After succeeding Hansi Flick, Nagelsmann’s reign started uncertainly, but his team are now on a six-match unbeaten streak – five of which have ended in victory – and are impressing pundits with their commitment and clarity.
Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz have caught the eye, in combination with some more experienced members of Die Mannschaft, and as one of the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy in Berlin, they will be expected to make it three wins from three.
Throughout 53 previous international games against Switzerland, the only time Germany failed to score was a goalless draw way back in April 1968, and the current squad seem equipped to keep that run going this weekend.
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Switzerland are actually unbeaten in their last three meetings with Germany – which have incidentally produced an average of 5.3 goals per game – having lost 16 of the previous 18.
Simply avoiding defeat on this occasion would send them through to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 – or even if they lose in Frankfurt, Scotland failing to beat Hungary will also be enough to seal their progress.
In the event that Switzerland lose and Scotland win, then goal difference is very likely to weigh in their favour, while staging an upset against their German hosts would even see Die Nati claim first place in Group A.
Such a position of strength was secured by following an opening win over Hungary with a less impressive stalemate against Scotland, with Xherdan Shaqiri‘s superb equaliser one of few magical moments in an otherwise scrappy affair.
Switzerland may have lost just one of their last 12 games at the European Championship – versus Italy three years ago – but since the start of Euro 2016 they have also drawn more times than any other nation.
Remarkably, though, the Swiss have not lost their final group game in any of their last eight tournament appearances, suggesting that Murat Yakin‘s men can start planning for participation in this year’s last 16.
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After a smooth start to their home finals, Germany are unlikely to make many changes to a winning side this weekend, with boss Julian Nagelsmann aiming for continuity as the knockout rounds approach.
The 36-year old is yet to alter his starting lineup at Euro 2024 and has claimed to be unconcerned about losing players to suspension.
Centre-back pairing Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rudiger are both on a booking – along with Stuttgart left-back Maximilian Mittelstadt and midfield enforcer Robert Andrich – but they could all be selected on Sunday.
Captain Ilkay Gundogan may again join Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz in support of Kai Havertz up front: Musiala is aiming to become the first German to score in each of his nation’s opening three games at a major tournament since Miroslav Klose at the 2002 World Cup – and the first ever to do so at the European Championship.
In midfield, Toni Kroos has now recorded 100 or more passes in eight of his last 12 appearances at the Euros – double that of any other player – having racked up some 43 line-breaking passes versus Hungary.
Meanwhile, Switzerland are set to name a similar side to that which was frustrated by Scotland on Wednesday evening, although Breel Embolo is edging closer to full fitness after his long injury layoff and could even be handed a start.
Having been promoted from the bench and then spectacularly scored at a sixth major finals, Xherdan Shaqiri will hope to retain his place: only current captain Granit Xhaka has played more games for the Nati, and only Cristiano Ronaldo has found the net at more major finals.
However, Murat Yakin – who will have Fabian Schar at his disposal despite a nose injury – may opt for a more cautious approach against stronger opponents.
Experienced midfielder Denis Zakaria has been struggling with a thigh injury but is now expected to rejoin the Swiss squad and take a place among the substitutes.
Vincent Sierro, Ricardo Rodriguez, Silvan Widmer and Remo Freuler are all on one booking, so another yellow card would see them miss a potential last-16 tie.
Switzerland possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Shaqiri, Vargas; Ndoye
Germany possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Kroos; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz
Somewhat surprisingly, these nations have not met at a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup, when West Germany beat Switzerland 5-0 in the group stage.
While that kind of scoreline is not on the cards this time, Germany are hitting top form and can cruise through as group winners, becoming just the third host to win all three group games at a European Championship. Even in defeat, the Swiss should surely join them.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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