The Three Lions nearly finished on Sunday night as a dramatic last-16 comeback against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen saw a stunning last-minute bicycle kick equalizer from Jude Bellingham, followed by an early extra-time header from captain Harry Kane. closed a wonderful win 2-1.
England’s unconvincing Group C winners were seconds away from a humiliating early exit and possibly the end of Gareth Southgate’s eight-year reign after another abject display until the most shocking of unexpected turnarounds at the AufSchalke Arena kept the campaign alive.
But Southgate’s side will have to step up their game against the established Swiss, who are now buoyed by confidence after taking hosts Germany to the top of Group A before goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas earned them a deserved dominance. A 2-0 win over defending champions Italy in Berlin in the last 16 tie.
Date, kick-off time and venue
England vs Switzerland is scheduled to kick-off at 5pm BST on Saturday 6 July 2024.
The match will take place at the Dusseldorf Arena.
Dramatic comeback: Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane strike to save England against Slovakia in the last 16
AP
Where to watch England vs Switzerland
TV Channels: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free on BBC One or ITV1.
Live broadcast: Fans can also catch the contest live online for free via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer or the ITVX app and website, depending on the broadcaster.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday through Standard sport live blog, featuring expert analysis from journalists Dan Kilpatrick and Malik Ouzia on the ground.
England vs Switzerland team news
England have a decent squad to choose from against Slovakia, with only one change made by Southgate with Kobbie Mainoo replacing Conor Gallagher in midfield.
The Manchester United youngster should remain next to Declan Rice in the Three Lions engine room after another impressive display in Gelsenkirchen, although there are big decisions to be made in defense with Marc Guehi – who impressed John Stones at heart. of defense with Harry Maguire missing the Euros due to injury – now suspended for the quarter-finals after picking up the second order of the tournament so far.
The yellow card was not removed until after the last eight, so the Crystal Palace defender has been handed an automatic one-match ban. Brighton’s Lewis Dunk would be the most obvious choice to fill in, although Kyle Walker could also play at centre-back if needed.
It remains to be seen whether Southgate will make another change against the Swiss after leaving it late to finally swap it around in the last 16, attracting the attention of fans and pundits.
Suspended: England will be without banned defender Marc Guehi against Switzerland
Reuters
One more change could be made, with Kieran Trippier injured against Slovakia after a heavy challenge. That led to Bukayo Saka being switched to left back and Cole Palmer entering the attack. Palmer again shines in a cameo, as do Ivan Toney and Eberechi Eze.
Luke Shaw – England’s only left-back specialist at the Euros – missed the first minute of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury that has kept him out since mid-February, with Southgate saying he “has a chance” to face Switzerland.
Silvan Widmer is set to return on the right wing for Switzerland against England after serving a one-game ban in the win against Italy.
Head coach Murat Yakin has decided who will stop being the regular starter. A reshuffle involving Michel Aebischer and Fabian Rieder, who played at wing-back against Italy, could mean either Dan Ndoye or goalscorer Vargas is ready.
England vs Switzerland Prediction
England were absolutely dreadful against Slovakia, with their level of performance in the tournament so troubling that it reached its nadir before Bellingham and Kane came to the rescue in the most dramatic way possible.
A repeat of that performance against a well-coached, confident and dangerous Swiss outfit will surely see them sent off in rude fashion in Dusseldorf.
Switzerland are simply a better team than Slovakia and will trouble the rest after disposing of their possession with ruthless efficiency.
Back again against Slovakia, which is a joy for England fans who are suffering, not to write about the big cracks of another display that will not do to silence the doubts that will show the fact that they will be put under heavy pressure again. took the lead in extra time in Gelsenkirchen.
England beware: Switzerland will be angry again after disposing of holders Italy in the last 16
AFP via Getty Images
However, the pre-tournament favorite may have had a boost of confidence that has finally brought his ultra-mundane campaign to life.
This has the potential to be another long and grueling evening and the dreaded lottery penalty cannot be discounted, but if England can not rouse themselves into a better form now then they will not.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The two nations have met on 27 occasions over the years, with England unbeaten against Switzerland since all the way back in 1981. Prior to that defeat, they had not been beaten by them since back-to-back losses in 1938 and 1947. .
England have won 10 of their last 13 meetings, including a 2-1 friendly victory at Wembley in March 2022 after goals from Kane and Shaw saw the Three Lions come from behind to win.
England also beat Switzerland 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw in the third-place play-off at the Nations League Finals in Portugal in 2019.
England vs Switzerland match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).