Albania forward Ermir Lenjani had an opportunity in the 23rd minute but he flubbed his shot, volleying over the bar from the edge of the box with the goalmouth open. Switzerland’s defence has not yet been put under severe pressure yet in this tournament, or indeed during the qualifiers, and this will be the stiffest test they have faced since they played Argentina at the World Cup two years ago.
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All betting lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. In both matches, France only really dictated the tempo in the last 30 minutes.
Albania have never scored more than one goal in their 16 games against Romania.
– Switzerland has kept 4 clean sheets in their last 15 matches.
Two flares were lit in the section of Romania fans during and shortly after the national anthem before kickoff against Albania.
– France has kept 6 clean sheets in their last 15 matches.
In the group’s other game, which was played simultaneously, tournament debutants Albania finished third on three points after a surprise 1-0 win over Romania, who were eliminated with one point.
Payet is France’s star performer so far this summer and if Vladimir Petkovic’s Switzerland are to get anything from Sunday’s match, they will need to find a way of silencing the West Ham United star.
In the seven occasions these teams have met, France have won thrice and lost only once.
That was the last time the two nations met. Giroud, Blase Matuidi, Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema, and Moussa Sissoko all scored in the win which helped France top their group as well.
Looking at their recent runs of form, the three points are clearly France’s for the taking. Albania are yet to convert in the tournament, while Romania’s two strikes have both come from the penalty spot and neither have looked clinical in front of goal despite creating a number of chances.
Switzerland closed in on the round of 16 on Wednesday, rallying for a 1-1 draw with Romania at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Often players who come off the bench can make the difference. They have been backed at 10/11 to win and 19/10 to share the spoils with Switzerland. However, they have struggled against tougher opponents, losing four of their previous five, including defeats on home turf at the hands of Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It’s great to know that we have a tough mentality and that we’re willing to go right to the end to get the goals”. The under 2.5 match goals has been quoted at 1/2. Dimitri Payet should again be a key figure for the hosts as he returns to the Stade Vélodrome, where he made spectacular progress under Marcelo Bielsa’s guidance in 2014/2015.
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Griezmann, however, who had a fantastic season for Atletico Madrid, showed Giroud how to connect with a header, with Payet capping another enterprising display by adding the icing after a quickfire break.
