Craig King’s France v Switzerland preview: Swiss need something special to progress

Our Matchday Squad journalist will be covering Switzerland throughout Euro 2020

Peanut butter and jelly. Bread and butter. Song and dance. Switzerland and France. All of these things just seem to go together and it will be the case once again for Die Nati and the reigning World Champions as they reacquaint themselves in Bucharest.

It’s a match that will mark their fifth meeting in the last nine major international tournaments but the first in a knockout round.

Switzerland may just be wondering what might have been. They comfortably advanced from their group as one of the best third-placed sides but also missed out on second place by just two goals. Their inability to hold onto their lead against Wales or to score the extra goals they needed in a match they dominated against Turkey will bring some regret.

It seems an almost impossible task for the Swiss. They can, however, take heart from the fact they’ve lost only once in their last five matches against France and will be encouraged by the return to form of Xherdan Shaqiri and Haris Seferovic.

To have any chance, Switzerland must be composed, strong defensively and clinical but it will take the game of their lives to advance. 3-1 to France.

Check out the latest Euro 2020 odds.