Wales vs Switzerland - Qualification EURO 2012

Wales vs Switzerland
EURO 2012 qualifiers, Group G
Date : 7 October 2011 - 20:45 CET
Stadium : Liberty Stadium, Swansea.

Switzerland travels to Wales for their second last match in the EURO 2012 qualifying Group G on Friday. While this is not much more than a test for Wales, the Swiss desperately need a success, if they want to make it to the qualifying play-offs.

Wales lost five of six matches and obviously has no chance to qualify. But since former Welsh midfielder Gary Speed has become the new coach, the Welsh side has improved. In September they beat Montenegro 2:1 in Cardiff. Montenergo had been unbeaten before then and had conceded only a single goal. Also in the following match against England in Wembley Wales did not play bad, lost just 0:1. Many Welsh players earn their money in the English Premier League, including Gareth Bale (Tottenham), James Collins (Villa) or Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal).

A special situation for Switzerland. After the Wales match they will have the next and last group match against Montenegro. Montenegro is three points ahead on 2nd place and plays at home against England simultaneously. So for the Swiss a win in Wales would be very important. But even if they would lose, they still have a chance to qualify, if Montenegro would get beaten by England. Switzerland won only two qualifying matches, both at home, 3:1 against Bulgaria in September and 4:1 against Wales last year. Away from home the Swiss got a remarkable point in England (2:2), played 0:0 in Bulgaria and lost 0:1 in Montenegro.

Head to Head :
Last meeting : 12 October 2010, Switzerland - Wales 4:1
Wins Wales : 1
Wins Switzerland : 5
Draws : 0

Possible Line-Ups :
Wales : Hennessey - Gunter, D.Collins, Williams, Taylor - Blake, Ramsey, Collison, Ledley, Bale - Morison.
Switzerland : Benaglio - Lichtensteiner, Senderos, von Bergen, Ziegler - Behrami, Inler - Shaqiri, Xhaka, Mehmedi - Derdiyok.

Betting tip/Prediction :
Switzerland must win, but Wales has improved under Gary Speed and will not give up without a fight. The Swiss are favourite, but I think that the Welsh are not without a chance and that a bet on the outsider could pay on high odds.