England v Switzerland
Tuesday 8th September – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Football – International Football – European Championships
It has been a perfect qualification for Roy Hodgson and his England team thus far, with seven wins from their seven games in Group E. The English are already assured of their place at the finals in 2016, but a point on Tuesday against Switzerland would guarantee them top spot. Their latest victory was akin to a training match as they comfortably saw off minnows San Marino, running out 6-0 winners. It will be a match that is quickly forgotten about by most, but one that will live in the memory of Wayne Rooney for a long time. The current England captain scored his 49th goal for his country moving him level with Sir Bobby Charlton in the national team’s all-time scoring charts. A goal against Switzerland would move him out on his own, and although it is inevitable he will break the record, it would be a fitting time to do it if England can clinch top spot infront of their own supporters.
It has been anything but straightforward, but Switzerland have now asserted themselves in that all-important second place which would see them qualify automatically with England for the European Championships next summer. Saturday’s home match with Slovenia proved to be a tremendously exciting encounter and culminated with one of the greatest ever comebacks. The Slovenians were clinical in taking a 2-0 lead and it looked like one they would hold on to as the game edged towards the final 10 minutes. Incredibly, however, the home side struck twice within the space of five minutes to pull level before completing their comeback with virtually the last kick of the ball. The result means they hold a five point lead over third top Estonia, who face Slovenia on Tuesday. There still remains a bit of work to do but there’s no getting away from how crucial those three points earned on Saturday could prove to be.
Hodgson will be well aware that his players will face a much stiffer test in nine months time but he will also be pleased with how England have negotiated their way through this group. 24 goals scored and only three conceded is impressive, no matter the opposition, but there remains room for improvement. Between now and the start of the European Championships in June, it will be all about finding the right balance in his starting eleven. He has so many options in the midfield particularly that the remaining group games (providing they get a point on Tuesday) and friendlies scheduled for the upcoming months will act as a trial to find that balance.
Away wins over Lithuania and San Marino have been a good response to the loss suffered in Slovenia last October but a trip to Wembley is undoubtedly going to be their most severe test yet. Any points gained from Tuesday’s match will surely be seen a bonus but they could hardly be coming into the game in a more positive mood. The way in which they won on Saturday will mean the whole squad will be buoyant. Vladimir Petkovic will have to decide if his super-subs have done enough to warrant a starting place. Josip Drmic and Valentin Stocker both came odd the bench to net the three goals between them and it could be that Drmic – who notched a brace – is in the best position to play from the start on Tuesday.
These two nations will be pretty familiar with each other over the last couple of campaigns as they were also drawn together for Euro 2012 qualification. England won in Switzerland before the sides shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw. It was a similar story when the sides met in Basel last September as England ran out 2-0 winners with Danny Welbeck scoring both goals on that occasion. The Swiss will be hoping history repeats itself on Tuesday, as if they could manage to get a draw it would go a huge way to them finishing in second spot in Group E.
England v Switzerland Betting Tips
This could be something of a celebration for England if it all goes to plan. A draw or win would see them top the group whilst Rooney is on the verge of moving clear of the record he currently jointly holds with Sir Bobby Charlton. The visitors will obviously be keen to put paid to those celebrations but there was a noticeable gulf in class a year ago when England ran out comfortable winners. And although their late show saved them on Saturday, it is hard to forget how vulnerable the Swiss defence looked against what was a very mediocre attack.
If you fancy Rooney to break the record then he is available at 13/8 to score anytime with Betfair. The Manchester United forward has not been in great form for his club in the Premier League but he did score a hat-trick against Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off. He has also been in terrific form in this qualifying campaign, scoring six goals in seven games. He will likely be deployed as a the central striker again and I think he rates a decent enough bet to break the record.
The suggestion, however, is for England to continue their 100% record and take all three points. Their three home games in this group have seen them beat San Marino 5-0, Slovenia 3-1 and Lithuania 4-0. Switzerland will rate a more difficult proposition than any of those sides but I fully expect the home side to have to much. 5/6 available with BetVictor is tempting, but having watched plenty of these two sides throughout qualifying, I can see there being some goals. All of England’s home games have had three or more goals whilst five of Switzerland’s seven games in this group have also contained at least three goals. The visitors will pose problems on the counter but they looked rather weak in the centre of defence which Rooney and his team-mates can exploit.
England to win and Over 2.5 goals 21/10 @ Betfair
