Euro 2020: Can Big Mick Stop The Swiss?

Switzerland vs Republic of Ireland

Well, well SBOBET friends, what a battle we’re about to witness in Geneva on Tuesday! Big Mick McCarthy is taking his Ireland to Switzerland in a Euro 2020 showdown.

Should Ireland come away with a win they will guarantee a top two place while Switzerland’s campaign could be in tatters. A Swiss triumph would tilt the Group D Euro 2020 betting odds in their favour, and a draw? Well I think McCarthy would bite your hand off if you offered it right now.

Vladimir Petkovic’s Switzerland has been notoriously difficult to beat in recent years, reaching the UEFA Nations League semi-final in June, and they will be desperate to close the gap on the top two when the Irish come to town.

Talking Points

Group D heading for an exciting climax

The Swiss return home on the back of a 1-0 defeat in their crunch Saturday clash with Denmark, and those two teams are battling along with Ireland for the top two places. Yussuf’s Poulson’s 84^th minute strike was a hammer blow to Petkovic’s team. That priceless goal pulled Denmark level with Ireland on 12 points and Switzerland is four points adrift with a game in hand.

When the Group D Euro 2020 results come in on Tuesday night, only an Ireland win will settle anything. Petkovic’s Switzerland has winnable games against Georgia and Gibraltar to come while Ireland still has to play Denmark.

I think it’s going to go all the way.

Swiss can get on a roll

Should Switzerland beat the Irish they would fancy their chances of qualification and could well take the momentum through to their final two games. Petkovic’s team is always in the game, and would have come away from Denmark with something had Kasper Schmeichel not played a blinder in the Danes’ goal.

Switzerland are expecting Granit Xhaka to increase their chance in Euro 2020 qualifiers — Granit Xhaka in action playing for Arsenal against Bournemouth

The Swiss are a tough bunch. Granit Xhaka is an imposing presence in the middle of the park, but he’s a yellow card in the waiting, never slow to get stuck in; which can be costly at times. The Arsenal man dived in to a tackle on Heung-Min Son in the North London derby to give away a penalty and hand Spurs a point. McCarthy’s Premier League players will know how to wind Xhaka up, and that may, or may not work in their favour!

Keeper Yann Sommer and defender Fabian Schar are the stars of an impressive rearguard, while the punch up front comes from Borussia Monchengladbach’s Breel Embolo and Benfica’s Haris Seferovic.

Petkovic has the players to with the ability to qualify if they can see off Ireland, but that is easier said than done against a side which travels well.

Ireland within touching distance

But Mick McCarthy will make sure the Swiss will have to fight for a full 90+ minutes if they are to beat his team.

The visitors will be well organised with an energetic pressing game in a 4-5-1 formation, with Burnley’s Geoff Hendrick playing behind a lone forward. McCarthy started with James Collins in the striker’s role but he had little to feed on in Saturday’s goalless draw in Georgia. After coming on as a late substitute, Brighton’s Aaron Connolly had two good chances to win the game and his lively cameo might have earned him a start in Geneva.

Their best player is skipper Seamus Coleman, who has served both his club, Everton, and his country with distinction. A committed defender he is quick to get forward with raids down the right wing and a dangerous cross.

Ireland’s strategy will be to stay in the game until the dying minutes, at which time anything can happen.