Path to the Euros
Hungary and Switzerland are set to face off in their Euro 2024 opener in Germany. Hungary secured their spot in the tournament after an undefeated run in Group G, winning all five of their matches. Led by manager Marco Rossi, Hungary emerged victorious over Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania, and Bulgaria. On the other hand, Switzerland finished second in Group I, behind Romania. The Swiss overcame Israel, Belarus, Kosovo, and Andorra to secure their place in the Euros.
Team News
Both Hungary and Switzerland seem to be heading into their opening match without any major injury concerns. Hungary will rely on key players such as RB Leipzig’s Peter Gulacsi, Willi Orban, Roland Sallai from Freiburg, Barnabas Varga from Ferencvaros, and Laszlo Kleinheisler from Hajduk Split. Switzerland boasts a talented squad, including Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel, Inter Milan’s Yann Sommer, and Monaco’s Breel Embolo, under the guidance of manager Murat Yakin.
Ones to Watch
Hungary’s captain Dominik Szoboszlai had an impressive campaign with Liverpool. The 23-year-old midfielder joined the Reds last summer from RB Leipzig for a whopping £60 million. Szoboszlai made 45 appearances for Liverpool in his debut season and contributed seven goals and four assists. With the Hungarian national team, he has scored 12 goals in 42 caps.
Switzerland’s captain Granit Xhaka also had a stellar season at Bayer Leverkusen, leading them to their first-ever Bundesliga title. Xhaka played a crucial role in Leverkusen’s domestic double, contributing four goals and two assists in 50 appearances. With 14 goals in 125 caps for the Swiss national team, Xhaka adds experience and leadership to the squad.
Head-to-Head
Hungary and Switzerland have faced each other 46 times across various competitions. Hungary has the upper hand with 30 victories, while Switzerland has won 11 times. In their most recent encounters, Switzerland emerged victorious in all three matches. In fact, Switzerland has won six of their last nine games against Hungary, with only one loss. Interestingly, this will be the first time the two teams meet in the European Championship.
Prediction
The upcoming match between Hungary and Switzerland is expected to be closely contested, with both teams displaying similar levels of strength. As a result, a draw seems like a plausible outcome for this encounter.
When and Where to Watch
Hungary’s clash with Switzerland is scheduled for Saturday, June 15, with kick-off at 2pm BST. The match will take place at Cologne Stadium in Cologne, Germany. UK viewers can catch all the action live on ITV 1 and ITV 1 HD. For those who prefer to stream the game, the ITV X app offers a live stream option for mobile and tablet devices. Best of all, the match can be watched for free on ITV 1 with a valid TV license.
Odds
As per William Hill, the odds for the game stand at Hungary – 5/2, Draw – 9/4, and Switzerland – 6/5.
Stay Updated
For the latest updates from Euro 2024, make sure to follow the tournament closely.