It's a blessing in disguise that Switzerland helped Southgate to eliminate their biggest rival of Euro2020 in R16. England will have an easier time later.
Tonight also marks Southgate's 100th international match as England manager. His 2 predecessors aka Walter Winterbottom & Alf Ramsey who achieved similar milestone didn't lose on this symbolic 100th match under their charge. Hence, a Swiss surprise victory is ruled out.
Past 24 H2H meetings saw England losing only once against the Swiss. Since the turn of the century, England has won 7 out of 9 games (77.78%). Out of 3 matches played in major tournaments, England had never lost to the Swiss, drawing once in 1996 & winning twice in years ending with 4 aka 1954 (2-0) & 2004 (3-0).
For the Swiss, they are seasoned quarter-final losers. All 4 out of 4 quarter-finals, they failed to go through (0%). Their records as follows:
2020 ■ 1-1 vs Spain (pk 1-3) L
1954 ■ 5-7 vs Austria L
1938 ■ 0-2 vs Hungary L
1934 ■ 2-3 vs Czechoslovakia L
If we dig in deeper to analyse the Swiss gameplan, note that they have a habit of scoring early goals to control the game. Since the Euro qualifying campaign started until now, the Swiss scored 14 first half goals in 18 matches, scoring ahead of opponents in 14 out of 18 matches. On the flip side, they never win any game when they are the first to concede a goal.
To achieve success, England must score first & again to break the Swiss spirit. We have seen that last WC when Swiss were hammered 6-1 by the Portuguese. England will deliver tonight.
Prediction:
England -0.25
England 2-0 Switzerland (Foden/Kane to score)
England to win Switzerland in full-time
England to qualify