The Switzerland danger men England must keep quiet at Wembley
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England’s hopes of a dream start in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday were scuppered by a Spanish comeback, with the visitors winning 2-1 at Wembley.
Tuesday night sees Gareth Southgate’s side looking to bounce back against Switzerland. But the visitors – who tonked Iceland 6-0 at the weekend – will be no pushovers.
Ahead of this friendly fixture, we look at the Swiss stars that England need to keep an eye on…
Ricardo Rodriguez (LB, AC Milan)
The 26-year-old has blossomed in the past few years. Rodriguez has added a real creative streak to his robust defensive game, and could cause England plenty of headaches.
Marauding forwards with his signature man-bun, the left-back has grabbed five goals and three assists in his last 17 games for the national side. That included neatly setting-up Steven Zuber’s opener in the demolition of Iceland.
Xherdan Shaqiri (RW, Switzerland)
Probably the star performer for Vladimir Petkovic’s side in last summer’s World Cup, it was no surprise to see Premier League giants Liverpool snap him up.
A man for the big occasion, he set up Switzerland’s WC equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Brazil, before grabbing a last-minute breakaway goal in the defeat of Serbia.
England are a little susceptible on set-pieces, as Colombia proved during the tournament in Russia. So Shaqiri’s dead-ball prowess could be crucial. So too his barrelling runs and pinpoint crossing. England will have their hands full with him.
Haris Seferovic (CF, Benfica)
The Benfica hitman may not be Switzerland’s most technical player. But what Seferovic lacks in neat touches he more than makes up for in power and a clinical instinct
Netting four times in World Cup Qualification, the bustling 26-year-old showed his aerial threat en route to the finals in Russia. But he’s not just about aerial threat, as Seferovic’s beautiful strike in the recent victory over Iceland proved.
In the Match Betting, England are 8/11 favourites. A Swiss victory is 18/5, with the Draw priced up at 9/4.
Following their goal glut against Iceland, the Swiss are 10/3 to Score 2+ Goals at Wembley. Meanwhile, the in-form Seferovic is also 10/3 to net Anytime.
Click here for the latest England v Switzerland odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
