Euros quarter-finals preview: England vs Switzerland, Netherlands vs Turkey
England vs Switzerland
This is Gareth Southgate’s 100th game in charge of England. Post-match, will he find himself serenaded by a newly-adoring travelling support – or end up pelted with plastic pint glasses once again?
There’s plenty of chat that England have got the easy side of the draw in these knockouts; that they’re fortunate to be facing Switzerland at the Dusseldorf Arena on Saturday.
Perhaps. But Switzerland made short work of reigning champions Italy en route to the quarter-finals; they are unlikely to be fazed at the prospect of playing another side that have badly underperformed so far at these Euros.
The word is that Southgate plans to change his formation to take on the Swiss, switching to a back three, in part because Marc Guehi is suspended for this match. Guehi is expected to be replaced by Ezri Konsa.
There are also suggestions that Bukayo Saka may play as a left wing-back, should Luke Shaw not be deemed fit to start. Even if Saka himself has previously said “I don’t think putting me out of position is the solution”.
Switzerland knocked France out of the last Euros
It all sounds a little bit thrown together. But perhaps executing plans on the hop is the hallmark of a good coach – at least, if those plans succeed.
In any case, if you’re not entirely sure how dangerous Murat Yakin’s side are, it’s worth remembering Switzerland knocked France out of the Euros back in 2021.
For balance, the Swiss were also beaten 6-1 by Portugal at the Qatar World Cup. And if history is any guide, Southgate should be positive; England are unbeaten against the Swiss in 13 matches, dating back to 1988. Nine of those were victories.
That’s all good. But we can’t help looking back England’s performances so far in this Euros.
The scissors kick from Jude Bellingham against Slovenia made up for a multitude of misery in the 90 minutes that had preceded it; the Three Lions have lurched haphazardly to this point.
Does it matter? Maybe not – or maybe, at this level, England can’t keep just muddling through.
Of course, we’ll take that over not muddling through. Let’s approach this one in a spirit of optimism; England to win in 90 minutes is a 6/5 shot. Bellingham to score or assist is a 39/20 shot.
Netherlands vs Turkey
The Dutch were dominant in their win over Romania in the round of 16; can they be similarly commanding against dark horse Turkey, who exploded out of the gate last time out to score against Austria in the first minute?
After that thundering beginning, there was a frantic finish too, Mert Gunok’s outstanding reflex save at the death giving us one of the great moments in this tournament. Do the Turks have it in them to produce another upset against the Dutch on Saturday?
It depends on whether you think Turkey may have used up their good luck quotient for this championship.
Austria fired 14 shots against them but just couldn’t get an equaliser; the Czech Republic were playing with 10 men from the 20th minute, eventually losing 2-1 to Montella’s side.
It’s still tough to say whether the Netherlands are real contenders; Romania looked a little lightweight in their round of 16 meeting. And the Dutch side’s only other win was a group stage win over Poland.
Turkey welcome back captain Hakan Calhanoglu
For this quarter-final tie at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella welcomes back captain Hakan Calhanoglu, after his suspension for the previous match. Will the skipper’s return help Turkey to see off the Dutch?
This game certainly has potential for goals. When the two sides last met in September 2021, the Netherlands won 6-1; in March of that same year, Turkey had won 4-2.
With a place in the semi-finals at stake, this encounter may not be quite so rife with scoring opportunities – but we’re still expecting a fairly open game. Three of the Netherlands’ four games in this tournament have featured three or more goals; all of Turkey’s have featured at least three goals.
Backing over 2.5 goals and BTTS Yes in a double at Evens is worth a look. Otherwise, Cody Gakpo hasn’t let us down yet for the Netherlands, and will surely have more chances to find the net; you can back Gakpo to score at 15/8.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Arda Guler is 29/10 to provide either a goal or an assist – he’s already provided one of each, and could impress again on Saturday.
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