Date: 25th June 2016 at 9:00am
Written by:

Switzerland and Poland go head-to-head inside Saint-Etienne’s Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Saturday afternoon in EURO 2016’s first match of the knockout stages, with both nations offered a genuine opportunity of making a lasting impression in France this summer.

Both countries have advanced to the knockout stages of a European Championship finals for the first time in their history.

A win for either side will set up a quarter-final tie with either Croatia or Portugal, having avoided the European giants such as Germany, Italy, Spain and France in the other side of the draw.

Poland finished level on points (7) with Group C leaders Germany having come through the group stage unbeaten, defeating Northern Ireland and Ukraine 1-0 respectively, before drawing 0-0 with the defending world champions.

Meanwhile; Switzerland also finished in second place in Group A, having drawn against Romania (1-1) and France (0-0), after defeating Albania 1-0 in their opening European Championship fixture.

Adam Nawałka’s side have progress to the Round of 16 without star striker Robert Lewandowski finding the back of the net so far, despite the Poland forward netting 42 times in all competitions for Bayern Munich last season.

As for Vladimir Petković’s Swiss; Arsenal’s new addition Granit Xhaka has starred in central midfield, although forwards Haris Seferovic, Breel Embolo and Admir Mehmedi need to step up their contribution.

Photo: John Halas

Poland striker Lewandowski – Photo: John Halas / Offside.

Team News:

Swiss coach Petkovic is expected to hand Manchester United and Chelsea target Embolo another start in Saint-Etienne.

Meanwhile opposing boss Nawalka is expected to stick with striker Lewandowski – despite his EURO 2016 goal drought.

However, midfielder Bartosz Kapustka is suspended after picking up his second booking of the tournament on Tuesday.

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is still ruled out with a thigh injury, so Swansea City shot stopper Lukasz Fabianski looks set to continue between the sticks.

FIFA World Ranking: Switzerland – 15th; Poland – 27th
Best European Championship Finish: Switzerland – Group Stage (1996, 2004, 2008); Poland – Group Stage (2008, 2012)
Previous Meeting: Poland 2-2 Switzerland (November 18, 2014 – International Friendly)
Form: Switzerland – LLWWDD; Poland – WLDWDW
Key Men: Switzerland – Granit Xhaka; Poland – Robert Lewandowski
Shoot Says: Switzerland 1-2 Poland

 
Brought to you by Shoot!

Comments are closed.