The Euros have now reached the quarter final stages and over the weekend four games are going to be played to find out which 4 teams would be playing in the semi finals. It all starts on Friday when Hosts Germany take on Spain but we are focusing on the third quarter final game where The Three Lions continue their tournament against Switzerland after just beating Slovakia 2-1 after extra time last Sunday.
Last time out England was 90 seconds away from being knocked out in the last 16 for the 2nd time in 3 Euro tournaments as we was 1-0 down before Jude Bellingham saved us from a early exit to take the game to extra time. Harry Kane then scored the winner early on to set up a Quarter Final clash with Switzerland.
Switzerland finished second in Group A and in the last 16 they beat reigning champions Italy 2-0 last Saturday to face The Three Lions in the quarter finals.
I say this is the toughest game by far at The Euros and a win here would take us to a second consecutive semi final at the Euros and the third semi final in 4 major tournaments. A semi final would see England face either the Netherlands or Turkey.
Player To Watch – Switzerland
The Player to watch for Switzerland is going to be Monaco’s forward Breel Embolo despite his injury hit season where he only played 5 times for his club last season. He has shown his ability at Euro 2024 so far with a goal at the opening game against Hungary where he won it for them late on he also started against Italy in the last 16.
I expect Embolo to start again for the England clash in the quarter-finals and he has come of the bench in games and can find the back of the net. In this game I think he could have the ability to create attacking opportunities against the Three Lions with Marc Guehi suspended for the tie it could be an advantage for Embolo to strike one early on like Slovakia did against us but can Jordan Pickford and John Stones keep him quiet to help us get a place in the Semi-Finals.
Player To Watch – England
My Player to watch for England on Saturday is Declan Rice, after some remarkables efforts to help us get back in the game against Slovakia, I think he would be one of the players to make a great performance against the Swiss on Saturday.
Rice would create some tackles in midfield to stop the Swiss from attacking and pressing and would try and help England in what they can to get to the Semi Finals of the Euros.
He nearly scored on Sunday against Slovakia that hit the post and it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets on the scoresheet on Saturday in the quarter finals.
My Line Up V Switzerland
Here is my line up for England against the Swiss, I would make a few changes where Gomez and Konsa come in for John Stones and Marc Guehi who is suspended.
I start Kobbie Mainoo alongside Declan Rice in midfield, in attack Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon come in and play on the wings alongside Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield. Harry Kane would again start as a lone striker.
Prediction V Switzerland
My Prediction against Switzerland in the quarter final clash would be hard to predict, I think we could get through and get into the Semi Finals but we did struggle against Slovakia in the last 16.
In this game I think Switzerland would come at us and have possession in the first 10 minutes of the game, I say England would come out and attack and in the first shot Cole Palmer would score for The Lions early on to make it 1-0.
Then I think we would keep hold of possession to half-time and keep the scoreline at 1-0 at the break. Second half I say Switzerland would try to break us but Pickford would make some saves to keep England leading. I don’t think much would happen in the second half and say England would just make it through to the semi finals.
Prediction: England 1-0 Switzerland
Goalscorer for England: Cole Palmer
Prediction says if we start Cole Palmer on Saturday I think he would score and show Southgate why he should be in his first 11 as he started the last 4 games on the bench. He was the second top goalscorer in the Premier League last season and should be starting.
Anyways I’m going for a 1-0 England win on Saturday, if it goes that way I take the result as it’s enough to get us into the Semi Finals at Euro 2024 and maybe a step closer to a second consecutive final in this competition, who knows?
Lets see what happens in this quarter final clash and enjoy the Euro Weekend.