France vs Switzerland: French knockout kings to land another haymaker

Lee Bassin
27 June 2021

European Championship, Portugal - France, preliminary round, Group F, Matchday 3 at Puskas Arena. France's Karim Benzema (l) celebrates after converting a penalty.

France put their impressive tournament record on the line against Swiss underdogs.

When: Monday June 28, 20:00 BST

Where: Bucharest

How to watch: ITV

Best bets

France -1 at 17/10

Karim Benzema to score at 5/4

Paul Pogba to score at 15/4

The French fans who accidentally travelled to Bucharest rather than Budapest for their side's match with Portugal can at least console themselves with the fact that France will play their last-16 clash against Switzerland in the Romanian capital!

Didier Deschamps' side are heavy favourites to prevail against the Swiss after topping the 'Group of Death' - thanks to a victory over Germany and draws with Hungary and Portugal.

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Switzerland qualified as one of the best third-place finishers, losing to Italy before drawing with Wales and beating Turkey. However, few soccer fans give them a chance against Les Bleus this Monday night.

Last three matches

France 0-0 Switzerland (Euro 2016 Group Stage - June 19, 2016)

Both sides had already qualified for the last 16 but played out a relatively lively draw in Lille, with Paul Pogba, then of Juventus, hitting the crossbar twice and West Ham playmaker Dmitri Payet hitting the woodwork too.

Switzerland 2-5 France (World Cup 2014 Group Stage - June 20, 2014)

France took a giant step towards qualification for the last 16 after hammering the Swiss in their second group game of the 2014 World Cup in Salvador, Brazil.

A clean shaven and almost unrecognisable Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a superb header from eight yards out, before Blaise Matuidi doubled the French lead just 66 seconds later.

Karim Benzema won and missed a penalty, but it didn't matter as Mathieu Valbuena effectively ended the game in the 40th minute after turning in Giroud's left-wing cross.

Benzema made up for his penalty miss by scoring France's fourth in the 67th minute, before turning provider for Moussa Sissoko in the 73rd.

Switzerland managed two late goals through Blerim Dzemaili after 81 minutes and Granit Xhaka with three minutes to play, but it was too little too late.

France 0-0 Switzerland (World Cup 2006 Group Stage - June 13, 2006)

The two sides met in the opening game of Group E in Stuttgart, and that's about all there is to say as they played out an uninspiring goalless draw!

International head-to-head

France wins: 16

Draws:10

Switzerland wins: 12

France goals: 67

Switzerland goals: 60

French fancied to qualify

France are now unbeaten in their last 10 games at major tournaments and they have not lost in normal time at the Euros or World Cup since 2014.

However, despite topping Group F they did not manage to achieve a statement victory to really send a message to their rivals, and we reckon this game provides the perfect opportunity to do just that.

France celebrate going ahead against Portugal

Switzerland are arguably the weakest opposition France have played so far and with in-form players up and down the pitch they should win comfortably, with France -1 a tasty 17/10 shot.

France's Euro 2020 Results

France 1-0 Germany

Hungary 1-1 France

Portugal 2-2 France

Swiss to roll over

Switzerland might need their warm boots because they've got a mountain to climb in Bucharest, as they haven't beaten France in any of their last seven encounters.

They do at least arrive off the back of a victory against Turkey, but were also outclassed by Italy in a test far more like the one they can expect here.

Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri

So while the Swiss can certainly keep it respectable, we expect nothing less than a French stroll in Bucharest.

Switzerland's Euro 2020 Results

Wales 1-1 Switzerland

Italy 3-0 Switzerland

Switzerland 3-1 Turkey

Goalscorer bets

Karim Benzema finally opened his account for France in their 2-2 draw with Portugal, but Didier Deschamps certainly deserves credit for keeping faith with the Real Madrid ace despite a four-game goal drought following his return to the national team.

Benzema opened his Euro 2020 account with a calmly taken penalty and just two minutes later he slotted in a Paul Pogba through ball like a striker without a care in the world.

With that weight off his shoulders Benzema should push on from here and 5/4 is a more than respectable price for him to net at any time against the Swiss.

Paul Pogba is looking to win another major honour with France

And speaking of Pogba, the Manchester United midfielder has enjoyed a superb tournament so far, running the show from the middle of the park and managing one assist and five attempts on goal in three games.

And after watching the way Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli scored twice against Switzerland, the direct-running Pogba could enjoy similar success at a massive 15/4.