Our prediction for this Euro 2024 match:
Top position in Group I will be at stake when Romania and Switzerland lock horns at Arena Nationala on Tuesday evening. The Tricolorii aim to build on back-to-back wins over Andorra and Israel and they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play. Even though Parma forward Valentin Mihaila misses out through suspension, we are positive that the in-form hosts are going to find the net in the last group game.
The Rossocrociati, on the other hand, failed to turn their dominance into victory in a 1-1 draw with Kosovo. Given Switzerland’s attacking potential, we believe that punters from all around the globe can find value in betting on both teams to score. Even though there are no fresh injury concerns in the away team, both Zeki Amdouni and Michel Aebischer should sneak into the starting XI as Switzerland have already booked their spot at the Euro 2024 finals.
Highlighted Player (Granit Xhaka):
Granit Xhaka is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most talented central midfielders at the moment and he is on the radar of quite a few high-profile sides. Just two seasons at FC Basel proved enough to attract interest from Borussia M’gladbach, who secured his signature in the summer of 2012.
The Switzerland international had a slow start to his career in Germany, causing many pundits to start doubting his credentials, but he eventually turn things around to show he is more than capable of playing at the highest level. Acting as a deep-lying playmaker, Xhaka impressed fans and pundits alike with his performances in Bundesliga and European competitions, and he even managed to score a couple of important goals in the process.
Despite his fragile age, the highly regarded footballer has been a key member of the Switzerland national team for quite some time now, scoring 6 goals in his first 40 caps to establish himself as a real leader of the Rossocrociati. The 2014 World Cup, where he scored one goal in four starts, should prove just the first of many major tournaments to come.
Highlighted Team (Romania):
Romania were one of just four European sides to take part at the first ever World Cup in 1930, and the team have since achieved respectable results on the international stage, albeit failing to challenge for major trophies.
Led by arguably their best ever footballer Gheorghe Hagi, the Tricolorii narrowly missed out on the semi-finals at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, losing to Sweden on penalties. Romania made a total of seven appearances at the World Cup finals, while qualifying for five European Championship tournaments. The Tricolorii went the farthest in 2000, when they were eliminated by Italy in the quarter-finals.
Tied at the top of the goalscoring charts, Gheorghe Hagi and Adrian Mutu are the only two Romanian footballers to have gained worldwide recognition, but Dorinel Munteanu, Dan Petrescu, Gheorghe Popescu and Viorel Moldovan are also worth mention. Romania play their home games at the Arena National in Bucarest.