International Friendly: Pressure Off as England and Swiss Lock Horns at Wembley

England vs Switzerland

Their places at this year’s World Cup in Qatar are assured, so the pressure is off both England – ranked fifth in the world – and Switzerland (14^th) as they prepare to meet in an international friendly at Wembley on Saturday teatime.

That means this is the ideal opportunity for both managers to experiment or fine-tune what they see as their strongest line-ups with plenty of time to spare.

This could either lead to a disjointed affair with multiple substitutions (that is probably likely anyway!) and little flow to the contest or it could be the ideal chance for those on the fringes to impress and create international friendly 2022 highlights.

We will find out on Saturday!

Talking Points

When the Swiss faced British opposition last autumn, a harsh sending-off reinforced the gap in class.

This time, the shoe is on the other foot and it is England who have a clear edge.

Yet don’t be fooled.

For the surprise and spirited Euro 2020 quarter-finalists managed to eat into European champions Italy’s six-point lead at the top of their qualifying group and dramatically stamped their ticket to the World Cup after a 4-0 win over Bulgaria saw them edge out the Azzurri by the finest of margins.

Murat Yakin’s side started the match knowing they would require a favour from Northern Ireland against Italy in Belfast to finish top of Group C.

They got that favour as the Italians failed to make the breakthrough, drawing 0-0, meaning Switzerland qualified automatically while Italy dropped into the play-offs.

They have reached Qatar on merit and should not be underestimated.

On the England front, this is the first of two Three Lions’ friendlies in four days – the other is against Ivory Coast.

And with little respite between games, manager Gareth Southgate may be tempted to experiment and give opportunities to a number of promising youngsters who have been included.

A surprise call-up for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi comes at a time when the 21-year-old could actually have switched national allegiance to his birth country, Ivory Coast.

Meanwhile, his club team-mate Tyrick Mitchell is also a surprise England selection.

With regulars Ben Chilwell and Kieran Trippier injured and Luke Shaw still trying to return to full fitness, the Palace left-back is a beneficiary of circumstance but put himself in contention with a series of impressive displays in the Premier League this season.

It’s likely both nations will use this set of matches – the Swiss host Kosovo in a friendly next week too – to try different options. But the focus on England and trying to second guess who may talk themselves into World Cup contention will be more talked about than the result.

History

Not since 1981 in a World Cup qualifier have the Swiss defeated England.

On that occasion, two goals in three minutes from Fredi Scheiwiler and Claudio Sulser midway through the first half secured a 2-1 success. Terry McDermott pulled one back for England.

Since then, the nations have met 12 times with three draws and nine England successes, including in their most recent clash in the Nations League third-place play-off in 2019.

That was a goalless draw before a penalty shoot-out which England won 6-5 on spot-kicks.

The last time they met in a friendly was at Wembley in September 2018 when Marcus Rashford netted the only goal of the game.

Their very first meeting was a friendly in 1933 which the Three Lions won 4-0 in Bern, when two goals each from outside left Cliff Bastin and Jimmy Richardson, an inside forward, did the damage.

Overall, England have 18 victories and there have been five draws alongside the three Swiss successes.

Betting Tip 

England’s 1-0 victory over Switzerland in a post-2018 World Cup friendly looks a good example of what might happen here and a low-scoring encounter is expected.

With the SBOTOP International friendly 2022 betting odds you can get odds of total goal 0-1 @ 2.62, 2-3 @ 1.80 and 4-6 @ 4.20, as well as under 2.25 goals @ 1.94.

Another 1-0 England triumph is available with Correct Score @ 5.40, while a repeat of their goalless draw from 2019 (albeit without the penalty shoot-out) is on offer @ 7.60.

The Swiss are clearly underdogs priced both 1X2 @ 4.40 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.08, with England tipped to win 1X2 @ 1.83 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.09.

That latter option tempted me, but I am going to plump for a prediction of Half Time Full Time England @ 2.38 with the hosts to triumph in a match where, realistically, the result matters little.

 

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