Switzerland v England Euro 2016 Qualifier Betting Preview

5th September 2014

While I wouldn’t really call the win over Norway in midweek much of a confidence booster, it was important for England to get a positive result under their belts heading into this tricky looking qualifier against Switzerland.

This game will take place at St Jakob Park on Monday night and is the first match of England’s 2016 European Championship qualifying campaign.  Switzerland’s last match was a Round of 16 defeat at the hands of World Cup finalists Argentina and they would certainly appear to be England’s main rivals in Group E.

Switzerland v England Outright Betting Odds

England 7/4 (Bet 365)

Switzerland 7/4 (William Hill)

Draw 11/5 (Paddy Power, Coral)

The bookmakers are struggling to split these two sides, with William Hill making Roy Hodgson’s men the favourites at odds of 13/8, but are available at 7/4 with Bet365.  Hills do go best price about the Swiss however, with the home team on offer at a generous looking 7/4. Both Paddy Power and Coral have priced the draw up at best odds of 11/5.

An all-time low attendance at the new Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night of 40,181 illustrates the current public feeling where the English national team is concerned, and it is going to take better displays than the one put in against Norway if things are going to change.

England had the bulk of possession during the recent friendly against Norway, but their chances were limited due to the Norwegian’s very defensive approach to the game.  England boss Roy Hodgson has been quoted as saying he expects a very different match in Basel, and it is likely to be Switzerland who will be taking it to the English as the home side, in a clash Vladimir Petkovic’s team can’t really afford to lose.

This could well suit England, with the pace of Sterling and Sturridge able to set up quick counter attacks and possibly mean that the English return home with a positive result.  I personally believe the match will be tight and will likely be settled by a single goal either way.  Both teams to score can be backed at 23/20 with William Hill, but I’d be more inclined to take the 7/10 about the no option at Boylesports.

Switzerland v England First Goalscorer Betting

The first goalscorer market can sometimes be a little tricky where international football is concerned because of the various players that are often utilised, but Roy Hodgson would appear to have a reasonably settled first eleven.  Daniel Sturridge looks set to lead the England front line for the foreseeable future and he has been put in at odds of 6/1 to open the scoring in Basel this Monday evening.  Raheem Sterling is sure to be popular with punters, and the Liverpool youngster is on offer at a best price of 9/1 at paddypower.com.

Those of you looking for a bit of an outsider among the England squad might want to consider 25/1 chance Leighton Baines. This free kick specialist might well be given opportunities at dead ball situations and definitely has a squeak of finding the Swiss net before anyone else.

As far as Switzerland are concerned, Aston Villa defender Philippe Senderos will be very well known among the English public and would net punters a healthy return in the first goalscorer stakes, with Betfred going a standout price of 50/1.  Bayer Leverkusen striker Josip Drmic is the favourite of the Switzerland players to score first, and is available at odds of 7/1 with Ladbrokes.

Although there isn’t much of a feel good factor surrounding England off the back of their disappointing World Cup campaign, I believe they have the quality to see off this average Swiss side.  I’ll be taking the 7/4 up for grabs at Bet365 as well as Daniel Sturridge in the first goalscorer stakes at 6/1.

Recommended Bets

Back England at 7/4 with Bet365

Back Daniel Sturridge First Goalscorer at 6/1 with Coral