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Switzerland vs Italy predictions: Euro 2024 tips and odds
Dan Childs’s Switzerland vs Italy betting tips include 7/5, 14/1 and 9/2-priced selections, with Nicolo Barella backed to open the scoring
![Switzerland vs Italy predictions: Euro 2024 tips and odds](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/betting/better-collective-new/switzerland-vs-italy.jpg?imwidth=680)
Our betting expert has three Switzerland vs Italy tips for Saturday’s European Championship round-of-16 tie in Berlin (5pm kick-off). Scroll down for the analysis behind his selections.
Switzerland vs Italy betting tips
- Italy to win @ 7/5 with Betfred
- Nicolo Barella first goalscorer @ 14/1 with Betfred
- Bet builder: Italy to qualify, under 2.5 goals and Granit Xhaka to get a card @ 9/2 with Betfred
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Azzurri can advance
The Italians are not among the most feared teams at the European Championship, but the trophy holders will not be handing over their crown without a fight and can stay in contention by defeating the Swiss in the round of 16.
The Azzurri were worthy winners at Euro 2020, but they have looked rather less assured this summer and needed an injury-time goal from substitute Mattia Zaccagni to clinch a 1-1 draw with Croatia and seal their progress to the knockout stages.
Finishing second in Group B was not the plan but it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise because the Italians have landed on the softer side of the draw.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti still seems to be working out his best team, but there was an intensity about Italy’s play in the final 30 minutes against the Croats and that will serve them well as the tournament progresses.
While Italy’s best may be yet to come, Switzerland could have peaked too soon.
The Swiss opened up with a superb 3-1 success over Hungary but they were far less convincing when drawing 1-1 with Scotland just four days later.
Murat Yakin’s side wrapped up their group stage schedule with a 1-1 draw against the already qualified Germany, but there was a lack of intensity about the hosts on that occasion, making it hard to ascertain the true level of Switzerland’s performance.
One thing for certain is that the Swiss do not generally enjoy facing the Italians.
They have gone 11 games without a win head-to-head and were beaten 3-0 by the Azzurri in the group phase at Euro 2020.
A closer match seems likely in Berlin but Italy look overpriced 7/5 shots to win without the need of extra time.
Switzerland vs Italy tip 1: Italy to win @ 7/5 with Betfred
Buoyant Barella set to break Swiss hearts
The Italians’ most difficult conundrum is finding a regular source of goals.
None of their central strikers – Gianluca Scamacca, Giacamo Raspadori and Mateo Retegui – have found the net and it is far from certain which of them will line up against the Swiss.
There is an onus on other players to chip in, and midfielder Nicolo Barella has done his bit with a superb goal in the 2-1 success over Albania.
The Inter player is the top scorer in the squad with 10 goals in 59 appearances and he looks a tempting 14/1 wager to open the scoring.
Switzerland vs Italy tip 2: Nicolo Barella first goalscorer @ 14/1 with Betfred
Feisty Granit could collect another card
Given the lack of world-class attacking talent on show, a game of tight margins seems likely with under 2.5 goals looking like a solid selection.
Five of Italy’s previous six matches have generated less than three goals and the exception, the 2-1 triumph over Albania, featured a goal inside the opening minute.
Both teams will view the contest as a massive opportunity and there should be plenty of robust challenges.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka is renowned as one of Switzerland’s strongmen and it would be no great surprise if he collected his second yellow card of the tournament.
A tight, hard-fought contest is on the cards and there is value in backing Italy to qualify, under 2.5 goals and Xhaka to be carded in a bet builder that pays out at 9/2.
Switzerland vs Italy tip 3: Bet builder: Italy to qualify, under 2.5 goals and Granit Xhaka to get a card @ 9/2 with Betfred
Switzerland vs Italy odds
Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
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