Euro 2008 - Portugal vs Switzerland Football betting preview

UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP A

Date: Sun 15 June

Kick-off: 19h45 BST

Venue: St Jakob-Park, Basel

Switzerland will be playing for pride against Portugal in their final Group A game after the hosts failed to qualify.

Home striker Eren Derdiyok picked up a slight ankle injury in the defeat by Turkey - their second in the tournament - so Daniel Gygax stands by to start.

Switzerland was unlucky against Turkey and they don't have expectations here. This game is only for calendar and they know that Portugal have a powerfull bench.

With Portugal having secured top place in the group, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to rotate the squad.

Seven changes are likely - two in the back four, four in midfield and Hugo Almeida partnering Nuno Gomes up front.

That could mean the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Bosingwa and Ricardo Carvalho being rested ahead of the quarter-final against the runners-up in Group B, a position likely to be held by Germany.

Scolari's men will still be favourites to win the match, though, and send Switzerland out of the competition with three defeats from three.

The Portuguese second team is really powerfull. I expect Meira and Bruno Alves on the center of the defence, while Raul Meireles will play in the center alongside with the bright Quaresma and Nani to serve Hugo Almeida.

I don't expect an easy match, but the last match Portugal made with is second team, they manage to win by 3-0 against Germany on the Euro2000.

Switzerland's last victory against Portugal came 26 years ago in a friendly in Lugano, while their last competitive win against them was a 2-0 win in a World Cup qualifier in 1969.

And Swiss defender Patrick Mueller suggested that Portugal's squad rotation would not make their task any easier.

I think this will be a open match, but Portugal is clearly a better side, and the defence will remain very strong while the attack gets even better dispite the Ronaldo missing.

I think odds are completly crazy here, so Portugal to win by 1-0 or even 2-0 sounds really good.

Pick : Portugal to Win
Odds : 2.30
Stake : 6 / 10
Bookmaker : Interwetten
Match Result : 0-2
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