Swiss the pick over the 2016 surprise package
Wales begin their Group A efforts with a trip to Baku to play Switzerland, a regular in the first knockout round of tournaments are the Swiss but despite reaching the Nations League finals in recent years there is not a lot of hype around their chances of making a deep run this time around. Rob Page’s men will be buoyed by the experience of getting to the last four in 2016 but with certainly a tougher group on this occasion. With all eyes on the curtain raising fixture between Turkey and Italy, these two nations will be eager to start well and ensure they are not one of the eight countries to fall at the first hurdle.
Background
With Italy the big favourite to top group, the matches between the other three sides may be the most interesting. Both teams here will be seeing the encounter as a chance to fly out of the blocks and take a huge step towards progression. Gareth Bale is obviously the star for the Welsh however Bournemouth winger David Brooks could be a wildcard contributor. The 23-year-old has two goals in 18 caps to this date and was linked with the likes of Manchester United upon the Cherries’ Premier League relegation in 2019/20, his trickery and pace can cause the most resolute of defences problems, he has a big game mentality and could profit from opposition’s specific preparation for the threat that Bale poses.
One of the breakout players of the tournament could be Switzerland’s Kevin Mbabu. The former Newcastle United right back has had a superb last couple of seasons at Wolfsburg and is ready to step up to a league title challenging club, the Euros presents the perfect stage for him to strut his stuff and excite potential suitors.
Goals?
The third placed qualification possibility tends to see teams play slightly more defensively and therefore the goal lines are particularly short. I prefer an outright play here.
- Wales have scored in six of ten.
- Wales have conceded in three of ten.
- Wales have seen both teams score in two of ten.
- Wales have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
- Switzerland have scored in nine of ten.
- Switzerland have conceded in seven of ten.
- Switzerland have seen both teams score in six of ten.
- Switzerland have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
The Swiss are a more accomplished squad at this level and may expose some of Wales' frailties.
Wales - Switzerland Betting Tip
Switzerland to Win with Betway at odds of 6/5 or 2.20.
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Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Kieffer Moore's header from a well worked set piece sees us miss out here. 1-1.