Craig King’s Wales v Switzerland preview: narrow Swiss win?

Our Matchday Squad journalist will be covering Switzerland throughout Euro 2020

Switzerland begin their Euro 2020 campaign in the unfamiliar surroundings of Baku and against pretty unfamiliar opponents too.

This will be their first visit to the Azeri capital since 1996 and only their eighth meeting with Wales, a side that they last faced off against in October 2011.

Die Nati play the first and last of their three group stage matches at the cavernous Baku Olympic Stadium and it seems likely that their opening night on the Caspian Sea will prove crucial to their ambitions of reaching the Round of 16 again.

With a match against Italy on the horizon, manager Vladimir Petkovic will be aiming to begin with victory and has everyone available after his side came through their warm-up matches without fresh injury concerns. Petkovic is certain to opt for his 3-4-1-2 formation with key players Haris Seferovic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka all involved.

Wales will provide difficult opposition but this is a game that Switzerland really must be winning if they wish to progress. If they can quell the tremendous team spirit of the Welsh and, of course, Gareth Bale, they have more than enough quality across the pitch to pick up the three points. I am predicting a 1-0 victory for Switzerland.

Check out the latest Euro 2020 odds.