Switzerland vs. Italy Odds: Live Odds, Player Props, & Expert Analysis


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Switzerland vs. Italy Odds: Live Odds, Player Props, & Expert Analysis

Switzerland’s players will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games when they face Italy (+150) at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Saturday. Murat Yakin’s team finished second in its Euro 2024 group after beating Hungary 3-1 and then drawing with Scotland and Germany. The Swiss squad is undefeated since November 2023 as it prepares for this Round of 16 clash.

However, Italy is the favorite to win this game. The Azzurri are the reigning European champions, and they have talented players like Nicoló Barella and Alessandro Bastoni in their ranks. They could only finish second in their group, but the Italians will be in high spirits after grabbing a late equalizer against Croatia on Matchday 3. It promises to be an intriguing battle between two determined teams, and we have broken down their key strengths below, along with Euros odds and betting info.

Switzerland vs. Italy live odds

Switzerland vs. Italy player props

Switzerland might have to avoid a late flurry to win

Switzerland came within a whisker of clinching a victory over Germany in Frankfurt to close out its group stage. Dan Ndoye’s goal put the Swiss up 1-0, and they defended diligently for the rest of the game, only for substitute Niclas Füllkrug to score a 93rd-minute equalizer. That goal meant that the Swiss only finished second in their group, which resulted in this tricky Round of 16 clash against Italy.

The Swiss defenders cannot afford to switch off in the closing stages of Saturday’s game, as Italy has the quality to punish them. The Azzurri also left it late to score an equalizer against Croatia in their final group stage match. Another substitute, Mattia Zaccagni, fired in a superb strike in the 99th minute to earn Italy a vital point. That goal ensured the Italians leapfrogged Croatia and secured a place in the knockout stage.

Italy’s path to victory likely includes Barella 

Nicoló Barella has been Italy’s best player so far at this tournament. The Inter Milan star faced some of the world’s finest midfielders during the group stage, including Rodri, Pedri, Luka Modrić, and Mateo Kovaçić, but he held his own in each match. Barella also scored the winning goal in Italy’s 2-1 victory against Albania on Matchday 1, which ultimately ensured that the Azzurri reached the knockout stage.

He now faces another stern challenge against Swiss duo Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler on Saturday. They are both technically gifted players, so it will be interesting to see who wins the midfield battle. If Barella comes out on top, it could provide the springboard for Italy to seal victory.

Switzerland expected starting 11

Yann Sommer is Switzerland’s first-choice goalkeeper. He plays his club soccer for Serie A champion Inter Milan, so he will go up against several of his teammates on Saturday. Fabian Schär, Manuel Akanji, and Ricardo Rodríguez will form the back three, with Michel Aebischer and Silvan Widmer starting as wing-backs.

Captain Granit Xhaka will join Bologna’s Remo Freuler in midfield. Manager Murat Yakin has rotated his forwards throughout this tournament. He went with Fabian Rieder and Dan Ndoye flanking striker Breel Embolo against Germany on Matchday 3, but Xherdan Shaqiri, Kwadwo Duah, and Ruben Vargas have also started in group stage matches, so it is hard to say who will line up in attack this weekend.

Italy expected starting 11

Gianluigi Donnarumma won the player of the tournament award after helping Italy win the last European Championship. He is still the Azzurri’s first-choice goalkeeper, and he will start in this game.

Manager Luciano Spalletti normally plays a back four of Federico Dimarco, Riccardo Calafiori, Alessandro Bastoni, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, with Nicoló Barella, Jorginho, and Davide Frattesi in midfield. However, he changed things up in Italy’s last game, presumably to counter Croatia’s world-class midfield, using Calafiori, Bastoni, and Lorenzo Pellegrini as wing-backs.

That was an interesting experiment, but Italy was fortunate to scrape a draw, so Spalletti may revert to the usual 4-3-3 formation on Saturday. If so, we could see Pellegrini on the left of Italy’s attack, Gianluca Scamacca down the middle, and Federico Chiesa on the right, with Mateo Retegui and Giacomo Raspadori dropping to the bench.

Photo by Associated Press