Albania v Switzerland Betting Preview

Euro 2016

2016-06-11 - Albania v Switzerland

Albania v Switzerland
Football: Euro 2016 Group Stage
Saturday 11th June 2016 - Kick Off 2pm

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Albania

The expanded Euro 2016 tournament has given some surprising nations a chance of competing on the biggest stage and it is arguable that Albania are the most surprising of those nations. They have already achieved a big aim by making it through to France at the expense of Serbia, Albania's big rivals, and anyone underestimating this squad should just be pointed towards their 0-1 win over Portugal in Qualifiers.

Gianni De Biasi has got this squad playing and believing in one another and that saw Albania finish above Denmark in the Group to make it through to the Finals. A lack of goals could be a big problem for Albania in trying to find the points to make it through to the Second Round, but they will also defend deep and make themselves hard to beat to try and upset the odds in Group A.

Albania have won 3 of their last 10 games and they were beaten 1-3 by the Ukraine in their last friendly. The key will be to not come into Euro 2016 thinking their goal has been completed but Albania have lost 4 of their last 9 games to Portugal, Serbia, Austria and Ukraine. It is potentially an indication that the extra quality in the Finals might be a step too far for this nation.

Switzerland

They have become a feature of major international tournaments these days with Switzerland having Qualified for three of the last four European Championships and each of the last three World Cups. However this nation has never made it out of the Group Stage in the European Championships and are looking to match their Second Round appearances in two of the last three World Cups.

The approach has changed for Switzerland with more belief being placed in their attackers under manager Vladimir Petkovic than there was under Ottmar Hitzfeld. The results were not as strong in Qualifiers though and Switzerland lost twice to England in that section, although they will be expecting to make the Second Round at Euro 2016 and preferably before the last game against France.

Switzerland beat Moldova 2-1 in their final friendly ahead of this tournament and that also ended a run of 3 consecutive losses. They have lost 4 of their last 6 games including losses to Slovakia, Republic of Ireland and Belgium who will be playing in the Finals, although Switzerland have beaten Austria in that time.