Match #2: Wales vs Switzerland

 

AB:

I am going for a 1-1 draw here. Switzerland have the better team but in Gareth Bale, Wales have a man for the big occasion. I expect Switzerland to have possession and more chances, and Wales to exploit Dan James pace on the counter attack. Ramsey will also be out to prove a point after an underwhelming season at Juventus.

The Swiss have enough quality to score, so a score draw is most likely. With Turkey’s big defeat to Italy, the group is really open and both teams will keep it fairly tight with a mind on that 3rd place spot.

Keep a lookout for Breel Embolo, who is likely to make a statement and make bigger clubs stand up and take a good look.

AK:

Qualifying for Euros was a big achievement again for Wales after their heroics in Euro 2016, but I am afraid that's as far as they will go. Bale finding some late form for may offer some hope but the team lacks quality to be fair. Switzerland on the other hand have some promising players and always play as a coherent unit under long standing head coach Vladimir Petkovic. Both teams likely to go with 5 at the back and I am predicting a 2-0 or 3-1 kind of a scoreline. With the massively under rated and extremely pleasing to the eye, Remo Freuler running the game for the Swiss, I expect them to dominate possession and take their chances when they come. Don't expect Wales to trouble Sommer much. Many are predicting Wales counter attacking through Dan James a lot but I expect him to have a typical game - i.e., running into a blind alley more often than not without having any meaningful contribution. In Zakaria, Embolo and Mbabu, Swiss have some fine young talent who should gain some limelight here at the Euros.

ADG:
1-2 in the favour of the Swiss. Bale to score. Honestly no idea who is going to score for the Swiss. Emboli maybe. Maybe the usual suspects. 

dark7knight:
Expect Wales to play on the counter, banking on the pace of James & Bale, while for the golden generation of Switzerland, this is the last chance to make a mark, plus they got some youngs guns coming through, so expect Switzerland to have more of the ball but ultimately Wales punching them on set pieces and against the run of play to win 2-1.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Match #23: Portugal vs Germany

Image
      AB: The group of death throws up another mouth watering clash as the defending champions come up against perennial contenders. Portugal struggled at times against Hungary, but came away with a 3-0 win with some clinical finishing in the last few minutes. Germany showed promise but were run over by France. I am going for a tight game here. Portugal to edge a tight game 2-1. dark7knight: This is potentially the match up of MatchDay 2(or 2nd round of group match fixtures). But Portugal having clinched a 3-0 vs Hungary would play not to lose, and that means Danilo & Carvalho in midfield, so expect Portugal to be boring unless they ho behind; and Germany needs points desperately from this match to have any chance of qualifying, so expect them to have more firepower up front. For the sake of entertainment, going for a 2-2 draw with Grant drawing 1st blood, forcing Portugal to open up, leading to an open end to end game. But my head says a repeat of France-Germany with...
Read more

Match #14: Turkey vs Wales

Image
  AB: this has the makings of a classic. Turkey need to win after a chastening defeat to Italy. Wales will fancy themselves to play on the break against a Turkey side that will need to be more expansive. Expecting an entertaining game, with goals from both sides. Gareth Bale and co to take this 2-1. dark7knight: Going by both their performances in their first matches, this match up doesn't look promising to be entertaining at all, both teams like to sit back and hit on the break. So, which team will go for it? The onus is on Turkey as the "better" team. But despite their strong defence & decent attack, their midfield is way too weak to play at this level, while Wales midfield is pretty decent on paper. So whoever controls the mid May end up with the points, but if Turkey decides to get expansive, they should get a 2-1 win.
Read more

Match# 31: Czech Republic vs England

Image
ADG: 2-1 to England dark7knight: 4-0 to England AB: England will be forced to make changes with Mason Mount having to sit out due to the COVID protocol. This means that Southgate will be forced to get in a more creative player - Grealish or Sancho into the starting line up, which can only mean good things for England.  England to win 2-0 (Throw in a Kane penalty)
Read more