Euro 2024: Scotland vs Switzerland tips and predictions - Better effort but similar story for Tartan Army

Scotland must beat Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday if they’re to stand a chance of escaping Group A, especially as another defeat would exacerbate their goal difference.

We foolishly backed Scotland to make a fist of last Friday’s opener yet in the same breath acknowledged the potential for the occasion to get away from them.

While there’s no shame in losing by a margin to Germany, the manner of the defeat has left a taste so sour that even that tin of rust the Scots call Irn Bru would be an apt remedy.

The lack of spirit, cohesion, fight, an inability for the midfield to produce with or without the ball, and of course Ryan Porteous’ rash tackle, allowed the Germans to pick a number.

Wednesday’s opponents Switzerland have been able to enjoy a stroll along the Rhine and take in the sights of Cologne cathedral since beating Hungary 3-1.

They exerted an impressive level of control in the first half before the Hungarians woke up after the break, but talisman Breel Embolo sealed the deal in the dying minutes.

 

Planet Sport Bet Special: Bet £10 on Scotland vs Switzerland and if both teams score in the first half, get a £5 free bet

 

Murat Yakin’s side has one foot firmly in the Round of 16 after the nature of matchday one’s result and they’ll surely benefit from playing at Venue Cologne Stadium again.

Experience tells us that the Scots will come out with a lot more vigour than the 5-1 humbling in Munich. Recent history, however, suggests they’ll need some serious luck to match the Swiss.

Although Steve Clarke deserves heaps of praise for guiding the Tartan Army to their second successive European Championships, performances have been poor for a year.

The expectation that we’ll see a major response on Wednesday, which is a view we agree with, has seen the bookmakers be far too kind in pricing up a Switzerland win.

Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka have had super seasons and should be able to win the midfield battle, even if it has a more attacking look with the introduction of Billy Gilmour.

That pairing, along with Manuel Akanji orchestrating the backline and Yann Sommer playing out from the back, will help the Swiss dominate the ball and beat the Scottish press.

 

Team news

Porteous will miss the remainder of the group stages for the leg-breaking challenge on Ilkay Gundogan.

Grant Hanley is likely to start alongside Jack Hendry and Kieran Tierney in defence while the more physical frame of Lawrence Shankland may be preferred to Che Adams in the attack.

Switzerland may be unchanged from the side that saw off Hungary last week.

Goalscorer Kwadwo Duah should keep his place ahead of Embolo as the latter works his way back to full fitness. 

Ruben Vargas and Dan Ndoye will continue in their roles as chief support to the Ludogorets Razgrad striker.

 

Key stats

- Scotland’s only win in 10 matches was a 2-0 victory against Gibraltar 
- Scotland have conceded 26 goals in their last 10 matches
- Scotland are winless in 20 of 21 meetings with sides in FIFA’s top 15
- Switzerland won the most recent meeting, 3-1, in 2006
- Switzerland have lost once in 15 matches across all competitions

 

Suggested bets

Team to score the last goal: Switzerland

Ruben Vargas to score or assist

Switzerland to win