Euro 2020 continues on Saturday with three games on the agenda around Europe, including Wales’ clash with Switzerland in Baku.
Wales enjoyed an incredible Euro 2016 as they reached the semi-finals and they will look at Saturday’s game as a must-win encounter if they want to produce similar heroics.
With Turkey and Italy also in Group A, both sides will look to hit the ground running in Azerbaijan, and fans could be in for a treat during the early kick-off.
Goals Galore on the Cards in Baku
The betting markets suggest this game could be a hard watch, but that comes as a surprise when looking at the recent form of both teams.
While both sides often use defensive tactics, they know how important an early win is at the European Championships. Italy and Turkey are being touted as potential overall winners, so a positive performance is a must from both of these sides.
Over 2.5 goals would have landed in three of Wales’ previous six matches, while Vladimir Petkovic’s troops have scored for fun of late, and the same bet would have paid out in four of their last five games.
If the record books are anything to go by, then all three of Wales’ Euro 2016 group games contained over 2.5 goals, and it looks like history could repeat itself this summer.
Over 2.5 goals catches the eye at 7/4, especially when the unders market is as low as 5/11.
Inexperienced Wales to Come Unstuck
While Wales surpassed expectations in 2016, only eight members of that squad remain. Caretaker boss Robert Page will be in the dugout this summer, and there is every chance that the spotlight may affect some of his young team.
Aaron Ramsey’s fitness is questionable, and Wales are likely to need Gareth Bale to drag them into the knockout stages of the competition.
On the other hand, Switzerland’s starting XI have tournament experience, with Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri set to start in midfield.
Petkovic’s side have also won six games on the spin and, at odds of 6/5, it is hard to overlook them in the match result market.
Switzerland may have lost the last meeting between the pair, but they have won five of the previous seven encounters.
Bale to Extend His Impressive Record
The 31-year-old decided to leave Real Madrid on loan last summer, and his return to Tottenham has given him the fitness boost he needed ahead of the Euros.
Bale scored 11 goals in 20 Premier League appearances for Spurs, and he ended the season in fine form. The pacey winger scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United, before then grabbing a brace on the final day against Leicester City as the Foxes missed out on the top four.
He has also scored in each of his two previous appearances against Switzerland, and the Welshman looks a cracking price to score anytime at 12/5.
*All odds correct at time of writing