Switzerland vs Spain: Euro 2020 team news and prediction

Few expected Switzerland to be here, even more so when they went 3-1 down to world champions France in the last round, but they are and they surely have nothing to fear from here on out. Now they have the pleasure of facing Spain, whom they defeated 1-0 in the 2010 World Cup.

Ahead of the first quarter-final of Euro 2020, we have all your need to know matchday information in one place. We will run through all the pertinent team news, reveal the probable XIs for each side, pick out a key battle to keep an eye on and also chance our arm with a scoreline prediction.

When is kick off?
Friday 2nd July, 17:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Saint-Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg (Russia)
What TV channel is the game on?
ITV

Route to Quarter-Finals

Switzerland's tournament appeared over at the round of 16 stage after Paul Pogba launched one into the top corner to put France 3-1 ahead with 15 minutes to go, only for Vladimir Petkovic's side to battle back twice in the dying embers and force extra-time. Switzerland ended up scoring all five of their penalties to dump the world champions out and set up a quarter-final tie with Spain.

Earlier on the same day Spain also squandered a 3-1 lead but unlike France they avoided a humilating cup exit. Croatia scored twice late on to force Spain into extra-time but Luis Enrique's side got the job done before penalties with two goals to run out 5-3 winners in one of the best single days in major tournament history.

Team News

Switzerland will go into Friday's quarter-final without key man Granit Xhaka, who is suspended for an accumulation of bookings at Euro 2020. While Arsenal fans will be glad to see the back of him this summer, his absence for Switzerland is a hammer blow. Denis Zakaria, who hasn't enjoyed the best of seasons, will likely deputise in midfield with no other changes expected.

Luis Enrique has made it clear Alvaro Morata is his first-choice striker and there should be no change in support after both Ferran Torres and Pablo Sarabia excelled on either side of him against Croatia. Sergio Busquets is clearly better in Spain's midfield three over Rodri and the only real change expected from Monday night is Jordi Alba reclaiming his place back from Jose Gaya.

Probable XIs

Switzerland (3412): Sommer; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Zakaria, Freuler, Zuber; Shaqiri, Embolo, Seferovic

Spain (433): Simon; Azpilicueta, Garcia, Laporte, Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Torres, Morata, Sarabia

Key Battle: Haris Seferovic vs Alvaro Morata

Despite heading into the tournament in great scoring form with Benfica, there were certainly doubts whether Haris Seferovic was the right player to lead the line for Switzerland and his early form this summer suggested he was not. However, the 29-year-old has come good at the right time for th Swiss and is now making an unlikely charge for the Golden Ball with three goals in four appearances. Given how Spain struggled to cope with crosses against Croatia, you'd think Seferovic could cause them real problems on Friday.

While Seferovic has clearly exceeded expectations this summer, the jury is still out on Morata. The 28-year-old has been guilty of missing some superb goalscoring chances at Euro 2020 and even squandered a free header at the start of their thriller with Croatia. Spain have been creating a lot of good chances all tournament but have been made to pay for wasteful finishing. The deeper they get into the competition the fewer chances they will get and they will need to be efficient in front of goal to go all the way.

Scoreline Prediction: Switzerland 1-2 Spain