Switzerland – England

Switzerland and England are joined in the Euro 2016 qualifying Group by Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino, so with two teams advancing and the 3rd reaching the playoffs it would take a miracle for these two teams not to reach Euro 2016.

It will be the first match for Switzerland after the World Cup and under Vladimir Petkovic. The hosts had a pretty good campaign in Brazil (surely better than England`s), reaching the knockout round where they were minute and millimeters away from going to a penalty shootout against Argentina. Switzerland is a good, disciplined and organized side with some individual talent as well, a good team, hard to beat especially at home. It remains to be seen how they will perform under a new manager and without any preparation matches.

After the disappointing group stage exit in the World Cup, England played poorly again in the 1-0 friendly win against Norway a couple of days ago and after Roy Hodgson`s statements the fans and media have gone crazy. The manager said that he`s happy if the team gets to Euro 2016 without scoring too many goals and that he might employ a defensive approach against Switzerland in order to facilitate a draw.

Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle.

Team news & lineups

Both teams are relatively healthy and able to field solid lineups, Sturridge is the only big time absentee for England apart from the retirement of Gerrard.

Switzerland: Sommer – Djourou, Lichtsteiner, Schar, Rodriguez – Shaqiri, Behrami, Inler, Mehmedi – Xhaka – Drmic

England: Hart – Jones, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines – Henderson, Wilshere – Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rooney, Sterling – Welbeck

England is clearly struggling and playing away in Switzerland was always going to be tough, so I can`t see the Three Lions winning this. On the other hand England can defend and Switzerland might be a little bit rusty after not playing any friendlies and changing the manager, so the hosts are not likely to win either. Also considering Hodgson`s statements, this has a draw written all over it and the odds are fantastic as always for this kind of result. Not to mention the fact that with qualification easy to achieve for both sides, a stalemate would surely satisfy everyone. My tip is the draw, and it should be a low scoring one also. Sturridge missing is an advantage for this bet. Under 2,5 goals might be the safer pick but I`m going with the best value on this bet. Prediction: Switzerland – England 0-0.

Pick: Draw
Odds: 3.21 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 6
Possible profit: 13.26
Event date: 8 September