Albania vs Switzerland – UEFA Euro 2016 – Betting Preview

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Sreya

Albania takes on Switzerland in their first ever competitive fixture in the European Championship finals on 11th June, Saturday at Stade Bollaert-Detelis in Lens. The UEFA Euro 2016 debutants made history when they qualified for the premier tournament last year and will look to make it even more memorable by qualifying for the knock-outs from Group A.

The lowest ranked nation in the Euros, Albania booked their place in France after qualifying in second behind Portugal. Albania notably beat France in an international friendly last year but since then they have only managed to win three of their ten matches. Switzerland qualified for this summer’s tournament by finishing second behind England from Group E.

Euro 2016 Betting Promotion

bet365 Bore Draw Money Back offer, which is available for every Euro 2016 matches, offers money back on pre-match first, last and anytime goalscorer bets for any Euro 2016 game that finishes 0-0, in addition to the usual Half-Time/Full-Time, Correct Score and Scorecast markets.

Team News

Both Albania and Switzerland have completely healthy squads for Vladimir Petkovic and Gianni De Biasi to choose from. The match also has an interesting sub-plot with brothers Taulant Xhaka and Granit Xhaka facing each other while representing Albania and Switzerland respectively.

Albania Possible Starting Lineup: Etrit Berisha, Elseid Hysaj, Mergim Mavraj, Lorik Cana, Ansi Agolli, Taulant Xhaka, Ergys Kace, Amir Abrashi, Shkelzen Gashi, Sokol Cikalleshi, Ermir Lenjani.

Switzerland Possible Starting Lineup: Yann Sommer, Stephan Lichsteiner, Johan Djourou, Fabian Schar, Ricardo Rodriguez, Blerim Dzemalili, Valon Behrami, Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Eren Derdiyok, Breel Emboilo.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, the previous six matches between these two sides have resulted in five wins for Switzerland and a solitary draw, with Xherdan Shaqiri scoring in the last two matches.

Albania scored the fewest goals in the qualifying campaign among the 24 teams who made it to Euro 2016: seven goals in seven games effectively played. Switzerland have only won one of their nine games at the European Championship (against Portugal in 2008). They have never gone past the group stages, but are one of the favorites to qualify from Group A behind France.

However, Switzerland have struggled in their recent matches, losing four of their last six international games. Although the Swiss side boasts of some talented players in their ranks with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Ricardo Rodriguez, Albania could very well be the surprise package of the tournament.

It should be a closely contested affair with the odds for a Albania win being 5.50, a draw 3.40 and a Switzerland win at a lowly 1.83. Switzerland are likely to win 2-1.

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