Date: 19th June 2016 at 1:44pm
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The Euro 2016 hosts France come into their final Group A match against Switzerland on Sunday night in Lille knowing that a point will be enough to see them finish top.

Les Bleus have a 100% record so far in this tournament following 2-1 and 2-0 wins against Romania and Albania respectively, and they are already through to the knockout stages regardless of what happens against the Swiss.

However, they have looked far from convincing so far and, incredibly, three of their four goals have come in the 89th minute or later, including both of their strikes against the Albanians in Marseille on Wednesday.

Antoine Griezmann and West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet provided those two late goals, with the latter currently joint-top goalscorer at the tournament having also netted against Romania.

If Didier Deschamps’ side are going to go all the way in the competition, they will need to be more clinical in front of goal – the team have scored four goals from 36 shots on goal in their two fixtures to date, although they have won all of their six matches in 2016.

Meanwhile, after taking four points from their two fixtures against Albania and Romania, Switzerland also only need a draw to guarantee their spot in the last 16, but with the new format, even if they lose the four points they have could be enough to see them through as a runner-up or one of the best third-placed teams.

Like France, Vladimir Petkovic’s men have struggled with goals, netting just twice in their two Group A matches so far, with both of those also coming from set pieces – that is no surprise though as Switzerland came into the tournament having scored more goals from set pieces than any other team in qualifying.

The Swiss have never gone beyond the group stages at a European Championship finals, and will see this as their best opportunity to reach the knockout round.

These two nations last met in the group stages at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when France ran out 5-2 winners in a thrilling encounter, while Switzerland’s last victory against their final Group A opponents came back in 1992 – a 2-1 victory in Lausanne.

15 June 2016 - UEFA EURO 2016 - Group A - France v Albania - Antoine Griezmann of France scores the opening goal - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Antoine Griezmann opens the scoring against Albania in France’s previous Group A match. Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Team News:

Switzerland midfielder Valon Behram could be absent because of a knee problem, while striker Haris Seferovic has missed a host of chances in the opening two matches and could be replaced in the starting line-up by Breel Embolo, and Xherdan Shaqiri’s place is also rumoured to be under threat.

Deschamps is expected to restore Paul Pogba and Griezmann to his team after their impressive performances from the bench against Albania, while he may choose to rest N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud, who are one booking away from a ban.

FIFA World Ranking: Switzerland – 15th; France – 17th
Best European Championship Finish: Switzerland – Group Stage (1996, 2004 & 2008); France – Winners (1984 & 2000)
Previous Meeting: Switzerland 2-5 France (June 20, 2014 – 2014 World Cup)
Form: Switzerland – LLLWWD; France – WWWWWW
Key Men: Switzerland – Granit Xhaka; France – Dimitri Payet
Shoot Says: Switzerland 1-2 France

 
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