International friendly: Robin Bairner on why England vs Switzerland will be a tight game

European Championship runners-up host the quarter-finalists at Wembley on Saturday, as England kick-off a massive 2022 with a World Cup on the horizon.

England the team to beat

England host Switzerland on Saturday in what will be the Three Lions’ first international action of 2022.  Gareth Southgate has said in the build up to the Wembley friendly that his side have established themselves as a benchmark team that everyone wants to beat, and that will certainly apply when they tackle the Euro 2020 quarter-finalists. 

England are on offer at 1.7 to picked up the victory, while the draw can be backed at 3.45. A Switzerland win, meanwhile, is priced at 5.4. 

Three Lions on a high

England are coming off the back of a wildly successful 2021, during which they reached the Euro 2020 final only to suffer a heart-breaking defeat on penalties to Italy.

They recovered well from that blemish to ease their way to the World Cup finals, which begin in November this year. They are priced among the favourites at 8.6 to life the trophy in Qatar.

England’s last couple of outings scarcely offered the type of test that they are likely to face against Switzerland. After easing to a 5-0 victory against Albania in November, that was followed up three days later with a thumping 10-0 win over the minnows of San Marino. 

Harry Kane, of course, was the main man in these fixtures as he bagged back-to-back hat-tricks, and on 48 goals for the Three Lions, he is rapidly closing in on Wayne Rooney’s record. That mark could be broken by the end of the year. 

England's Harry Kane could break Wayne Rooney's scoring record at some point in 2022

Swiss rolling nicely 

Switzerland are also coming into 2022 after a very satisfactory 12 months. They exceeded expectations at the Euros by reaching the quarter-finals, overcoming world champions France on penalties en route, then qualified past continental champions Italy to reach the World Cup finals. 

After losing head coach Vladimir Petkovic following the Euros, they have transitioned seamlessly into life under Murat Yakin, who has built his team around a similarly stout defensive line. They have conceded only one goal in six competitive matches under their new manager. 

Offensively, though, they are light. Xherdan Shaqiri, who is now in MLS with the Chicago Fire after an abject first half to the season with Lyon, is their leading marksman on 26 goals followed by Kayserispor striker Mario Gavranovic and Arsenal defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka on 16 and 12 goals respectively. 

Three Lions to edge a low-scoring game

Incredibly, England’s last 11 victories in 90 minutes have been achieved by a scoreline that has seen them win to nil. Against a Switzerland side that is well organised but limited offensively, odds of 2.62 for them to continue that trend appear to be generous. Similarly, odds of England to keep a clean sheet at 2.12 are a very viable alternative bet.

Meanwhile, a low-scoring encounter looks a virtual certainty. Switzerland are not an open team at the best of times, and combined with the low-stakes environment of this match, England are unlikely to go hunting goal after goal.

Recommended bets

England win to nil @ 2.62

Under 2.5 goals @ 1.72