Scotland vs Switzerland Match Preview

The 2024 European Championships continue with a crucial Group A clash between Scotland and Switzerland at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne. Scotland, aiming to rebound from their opening defeat to Germany, need a strong performance to stay in contention for the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Switzerland looks to build on their impressive 3-1 victory over Hungary and secure their place at the top of the group.

Scotland’s opening match against Germany ended in a heavy 5-1 defeat, marking the largest victory by a host nation in their opening match at a European Championship and Germany's biggest tournament win since their 7-1 triumph over Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi-final.

A difficult evening in Munich, but your support tonight and over the last few weeks has been incredible - we don't take it for granted.

Thank you 💙#GERSCO | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/tMnl4E3GU1

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 14, 2024

Switzerland's start to their European Championship campaign was strong, with a convincing 3-1 win over Hungary. Expectations were high after an unbeaten run in the qualifiers and the inclusion of key players like Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji. Breel Embolo also recently returned from injury, scoring off the bench in stoppage time to secure the opening Swiss win.

22 -There were 22 passes in the build up to Switzerland's opener scored by Kwadwo Duah, the third longest passing sequence leading to a goal at the EUROs on record (since 1980). Construction. pic.twitter.com/99MfZ32KuP

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 15, 2024

Scotland vs Switzerland Team News

Scotland will look to bounce back from their heavy defeat with a more robust defensive setup. Key players like Andrew Robertson and Scott McTominay will need to step up and provide leadership on the field.

Defender Ryan Porteous is out for the remaining group stage games after his reckless red card against Germany, with Grant Hanley expected to take his place. We could see a change in system from manager Steve Clarke, everything seemed to go wrong in the opening fixture, with Scotland looking lost and unsure for vast periods of the game.

Lawrence Shankland’s 31 goals for Hearts this season wasn’t enough to get the nod against Germany, but with Che Adams’s poor showing he may start tomorrow.

🇨🇭 Billy Gilmour and Lawrence Shankland get Neil McCann's approval for a starting place against Switzerland tomorrow ⤵️#BBCEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/eNpJlHlKmz

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) June 18, 2024

Switzerland is expected to field a similar lineup to their opening match. Granit Xhaka, who was instrumental against Hungary, will continue to anchor the midfield. Coach Murat Yakin has demonstrated his willingness to make bold changes, as seen with the effective inclusions of Cedric Itten and Michel Aebischer in the previous match.

It will be interesting to see what strategies he employs against Scotland​. Perhaps Embolo and Xherdan Shaqiri may start. Silvan Widmer and Remo Freuler will be at risk of suspension for the Germany match if they receive a yellow card in the game against Scotland. Notably, Coach Yakin was also booked over the weekend

Scotland possible starting lineup: Gunn; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; Ralston, McTominay, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn, Christie; Shankland

Switzerland possible starting lineup: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas

What the coaches say

Steve Clarke, Scotland coach: "We had to go to the second game at the last EUROs with a similar idea. We still had an outside chance with the goal difference. This time that little safety net is gone. We know that, so we have to get four points in the next two games."

Murat Yakin, Switzerland coach: "It's important that we won our first game but I wasn't so happy with our second-half performance, so we have to play better against Scotland."