Euro 2024: Switzerland v Italy - Match Preview & Odds
As we look ahead to this hotly anticipated fixture, here at betting.bet you will find the latest team news and betting tips as well as the best match odds
The Euro 2024 knockout stage gets underway in Berlin on Saturday as Switzerland take on Italy in the first round of 16 match of the tournament. As we look ahead to this hotly anticipated fixture, here at betting.bet you will find the latest team news and betting tips as well as the best match odds from our betting partners at bet365.
Group Stage Recap
Both Switzerland and Italy qualified for the knockout stage as runners up in their respective groups. Switzerland were second to Germany in Group A after the hosts snatched a last-gasp draw when they met in their final group game. Switzerland kicked off Group A with a 3-1 win over Hungary before earning back-to-back 1-1 draws against Scotland and Germany. The Germany game would’ve been particularly frustrating for Switzerland due to Germany’s 92nd minute equaliser.
There was also late drama in Italy’s final group game as Italy came back from the brink of elimination to score with the final kick of the game against Croatia. A Luka Modric strike had given Croatia the lead, relegating Italy to third place in Group B however Mattia Zaccagni stepped off the Italian bench to score a dramatic 98th minute equaliser. The 1-1 draw saw Italy snatch second spot in Group B and Croatia have subsequently been eliminated as one of the lowest-ranked third placed teams.
Team News
Riccardo Calafiori will miss this crucial last-16 tie after the Italian defender picked up his second booking of the tournament in the draw with Croatia. Roma’s Gianluca Mancini is likely to come into the starting XI as Calafiori’s replacement.
Breel Embolo is likely to retain his place in the Switzerland starting lineup after coming through the draw against Germany unscathed. Embolo has endured an injury-hit season and has started Switzerland’s first two group games amongst the substitutes.
Switzerland have a real selection dilemma at right wing-back with Silvan Widmer set to miss out on Saturday through suspension. There are no natural alternatives to Widmer with a number of players in contention to be deployed out of position including Dan Ndoye, Fabian Rieder, Steven Zuber and Michel Aebischer.
Possible Line Ups
Switzerland: Sommer, Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, Elvedi, Aebischer, Ndoye, Rieder, Embolo
Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastone, Mancini, Darmian, Barella, Jorginho, Pellegrini, Raspadori, Dimarco, Scamacca
Betting Tips
Whilst we’re really excited for the eight last-16 fixtures ahead of us this weekend, we’re not expecting too many goals in Berlin on Saturday. Italy have come in for some real criticism at home for their negative tactics so far in the tournament and we’re anticipating a cagey start to the knockout stage at the weekend. Under 2.5 match goals looks a solid bet at 1/2 whilst Italy to win to nil will prove hugely popular at 11/4.
A 0-0 draw is not completely out of the question and looks good value at 11/2 meanwhile bet365 are offering odds of 4/1 on this game to be settled via a penalty shootout.
In the search for a potential match winner, Saturday could finally be Gianluca Scamacca’s time to shine for the Azzurri. Scamacca enjoyed an excellent second half of the 2023/24 domestic season as he fired Atalanta to fourth place in Serie A and Europa League glory. However, Scamacca has scored just one goal in 19 internationals for Italy. If the 25-year-old can replicate his club form on Saturday he could prove superb value at 11/4 to score at any time. With goals likely to be few and far between in Berlin, backing Scamacca to score first could offer better value at odds of 6/1.
Match Odds
| Switzerland | Draw | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| 9/4 | 2/1 | 7/5 |
Predicted Match Result: Switzerland 0-1 Italy (6/1)
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