Our prediction for this Euro 2024 match:
Andorra
Match Time & Date:
16/06/2023
01:45 PM
Prediction: 0-3
Switzerland
Andorra and Switzerland face each other at Estadi Nacional in a David-vs-Goliath clash. Andorra kicked off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 loss to Romania, but they did well to hold Kosovo to a draw in their second group game. The minnows aim to claim yet another major scalp, but they will have a mountain to climb in Friday’s clash.
The Rossocrociati, on the other hand, aim to keep their 100% record in Group I intact and they are seen as hot favourites to win the match. MLS star Xherdan Shaqiri has been left out of the squad and, in his absence, a man to watch in the away side will be Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. Haris Seferovic is widely expected to lead the line for the visitors as Monaco forward Breel Embolo is out of contention. Anyhow, Switzerland are more of a team than Andorra and we predict that Murat Yakin’s men are going to prove their worth on the field.
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 (Switzerland):
While missing the first ever World Cup, Switzerland played at next four, reaching the quarter-finals on three occasions, but they were unable to repeat the success in next six appearances. Nati reached the first knockout stage in 1994, 2006 and 2014, but they couldn’t make the next step.
When it comes to their European Championship appearances, the situation is even worse, as the team only qualified for the 1996, 2004 and 2016 finals, while they automatically qualified for the 2008 tournament together with co-hosts Austria. Switzerland national team of late have profited from the multicultural environment, as they appear to have closed the gap behind top European sides and also adopted a more adventurous style of play.
The new generation is probably the most talented yet, with players like Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Ricardo Rodriguez and Valon Behrami all held in high regard. Nati now have a unique chance to try and reach the closing stages of a major tournament as their key men are either at their peak or will be there in the next couple of years.
Liverpool
Burnley
Tottenham
Brighton
AS Roma
Inter
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich 
Nottingham Forest 
Newcastle 
Real Madrid 
Girona
