Scotland vs Switzerland predictions: Scots to be left with mountain to climb
- Switzerland have scored 10 goals across their last four games at Euro finals
- Scotland have shipped two or more goals in eight of their last 10 internationals
- Recommended Bet: Over 1.5 Switzerland goals
Scotland will go hunting their first points of Euro 2024 when they face Group A rivals Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday.
Steve Clarke’s side will be looking to bounce back from their humiliating 5-1 defeat against Germany in Munich on Friday.
They capitulated to the tournament hosts after having Ryan Porteous sent off on the stroke of half-time, but the coach insists the squad "know what went wrong".
The Swiss want to sustain the momentum they established when beating Hungary 3-1 in Cologne on Saturday afternoon.
Team news
Grant Hanley is expected to start in central defence alongside Jack Hendry, with Porteous suspended after being sent off in Munich.
Clarke may also draft Billy Gilmour into midfield, with Ryan Christie potentially dropping out of the starting XI.
Che Adams is still expected to be Clarke’s choice to lead the line ahead of Lawrence Shankland, despite the striker’s struggles against Germany.
As for Switzerland, Murat Yakin made a couple of surprise moves for the Hungary game, starting Michel Aebischer in midfield and giving London-born Kwadwo Duah the responsibility of leading the forward line.
Both players scored and generally impressed enough to keep their spots in the side, although Yakin could opt for the greater experience of Xherdan Shaqiri or Breel Embolo in attack.
Embolo had been hampered by a thigh injury in the weeks before the tournament, but trained fully on Sunday after scoring during a late cameo against Hungary.
The stats
Scotland failed to have a single shot on target in a match at a major tournament for the first time since Euro 1992 against the Netherlands. Their solitary strike in Munich was credited as an Antonio Rüdiger own goal.
It was the Scots’ heaviest defeat at a major international tournament since a 7-0 loss to Uruguay at the 1954 World Cup.
It was also the first time Scotland had conceded five goals in a competitive match since a 6-0 Euro qualifying defeat to the Netherlands in November 2003.
Switzerland’s Duah, wing-back Dan Ndoye and central defender Fabian Schar each had three shots on goal against Hungary.
Aebischer became the first Swiss player to score and assist in the same Euro match.
Granit Xhaka covered more ground than any other Swiss player in the opener - 11.8km.
Prediction
Based on their performances in the opening games, Switzerland should be the clear favourites to secure all three points in Cologne.
Scotland's defending was abject and they are likely to be exposed again by a confident Swiss outfit.
Nati have found a nice balance between attack and defence, while Scotland are struggling at both ends of the pitch.
Their problems stem from before the tournament began, when a run of defeats in friendly matches appears to have drained their belief.
Scotland have conceded at least two goals in eight of their last 10 internationals and it would be strange if that trend didn't continue in Cologne.
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