Wales v Switzerland betting tips: Page boys underdogs for opener
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Wales kick off their second successive European Championship when they take on Switzerland in their Group A opener in Baku on Saturday afternoon.
The Dragons advanced to the semi-finals under Chris Coleman five years ago in France, in what was their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, and are 10/11 to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
It is set to be an intense first match in Azerbaijan so let’s highlight some of the odds to help with your Wales v Switzerland betting tips.
Match Odds
It has been an interesting build-up for Wales ahead of the event, which was delayed by 12 months due to the global pandemic, with under-21s boss Robert Page remaining in caretaker charge of the national team.
His six-match tenure has seen him secure four wins and two draws with the only losses coming in a World Cup qualifier against Belgium and a friendly against France.
Page’s charges have only conceded seven goals in that time, while three of their victories have come by a 1-0 scoreline – which is 7/1 to happen once again.
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— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) May 23, 2021
Switzerland, 23/20 to win the Group A opener, are ranked 13th in the world but have only progressed to the knockout stages of the European Championship on one previous occasion in 2016. They are 9/2 to top Group A and 1/2 to qualify for the last 16.
The Swiss have had just seven head-to-head matches with Wales in their history and only two of those involved both teams scoring which is 21/20 to happen in Baku.
They have also won three of the seven matches by a 2-0 scoreline, which is priced at 8/1, while three more of the matches have seen over 3.5 goals – valued at 18/5 – however, their most recent fixture was nearly 10 years ago.
Talking Tactics
Wales have played a 3-4-3 formation in all four of Page’s competitive matches in charge, with Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon and Ben Davies in defence.
With Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen in central midfield, they can create opportunities for Gareth Bale on the right of a front three as he aims to add to his 33 goals for his country with Kieffer Moore also a focal point up front.
Switzerland have mainly played a 3-4-1-2 shape under Vladimir Petkovic, with Granit Xhaka and Denis Zakaria in the holding midfield roles and Liverpool man Xherdan Shaqiri in the number 10 role to dictate play for striker Haris Seferovic.
Goalscorer Odds
The last meeting between the two sides came in October 2011 during qualifying for Euro 2012, with Wales running out 2-0 winners in Swansea thanks to two familiar names.
Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Gareth Bale wrapped up the victory at the Liberty Stadium.
Bale, whose future at Real Madrid remains uncertain after a return to Tottenham on loan, is 9/2 to score the game’s opener and 5/2 to find the net any time.
Switzerland netted 19 goals in their eight qualifying games but had to share them out. Xhaka scored twice for Rossocrociati during the campaign and is 8/1 to score any time, although Haris Seferovic is favourite to bag the opener at 9/2 or 5/2 to score.
Match Info
Where: Bakı Olimpiya Stadionu
When: 14:00, Saturday June 12
How to watch: BBC
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
