Euro 2024

[monks data]

Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage

Nov 21, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

Arena Nationala

Romania
1 - 0
Switzerland

Alibec (50')
Marin (2'), Morutan (48'), Akanji (90+3'), Bancu (90+5')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Xhaka (54'), Hagi (90+3')

Preview: Romania vs. Switzerland - prediction, team news, lineups

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 19 November 2023

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Euro Champ Qualifying clash between Romania and Switzerland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The top two in Group I will face off on Tuesday evening, with already-qualified duo Romania and Switzerland going head-to-head for first position in their Euro 2024 qualification section.

Romania are currently at the summit on 19 points, two points ahead of second-placed Switzerland, and which pots the two teams are placed in for the finals draw will be impacted by their final positions.

Match preview

Romania players celebrate after qualifying for the Euro 2024 on November 18, 2023 © Reuters

Romania have won five and drawn four of their nine matches in Group I to collect 19 points, which has left them at the summit, two clear of second-placed Switzerland and crucially seven ahead of third-placed Israel.

The Tricolours have already secured their spot in the finals of Euro 2024, and a draw on Tuesday would be enough to secure first position in the section and a place in Pot 2 for the finals draw.

If the contest is level, Romania will be in Pot 2 and Switzerland in Pot 4, which would also be the same if Romania win here, but if Switzerland were to secure all three points, they would take first position and be included in Pot 2, with Romania falling into Pot 3 or 4.

Edward Iordanescu's side will enter this contrast off the back of successive wins over Andorra and Israel, but the points were shared in a 2-2 draw when they locked horns with Switzerland in the reverse match.

Romania did not qualify for Euro 2020 despite being a host nation, but they were present in the 2016 edition of the tournament, failing to make it past the group stage of the tournament in France.

Switzerland's Ruben Vargas celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on November 18, 2023 © Reuters

Switzerland, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Kosovo on Saturday, which proved to be their third straight stalemate in this section.

Murat Yakin's side have won four and drawn five of their nine matches in Group I to collect 17 points, which has left them in second position in the table.

As mentioned, Switzerland must win this match to secure first spot and a position in Pot 2, but they have found it difficult to secure three points in recent games, winning just one of their last five fixtures in Group I.

A-Team failed to qualify for the finals of the European Championship in 2012, but they have been present in the last two editions of the tournament, reaching the round of 16 in 2016 and quarter-finals in 2020.

Switzerland were also involved in the World Cup finals in Qatar last year, with the team reaching the last-16 stage of the competition, which has now been the case in each of their last three World Cups.

Romania Euro Champ Qualifying form:

Switzerland Euro Champ Qualifying form:

Team News

Switzerland's Ruben Vargas celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on November 15, 2023 © Reuters

Romania will be without the services of Valentin Mihaila after the Parma midfielder was sent off during the clash with Israel on Saturday evening.

The home side are otherwise in strong shape, though, and with no injuries reported, it might be a case of same again in terms of the starting XI for this match.

George Puscas has now netted 11 times for his country, making him the second-highest goalscorer in the squad, and he should again feature as the centre-forward, while Nicolae Stanciu, who has 14 international goals to his name, is set to start in his role as captain.

As for Switzerland, head coach Yakin could also decide to keep faith with the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Kosovo last time out.

AC Milan's Noah Okafor played through the middle on Saturday, and that is again likely to be the case here, with Ruben Vargas, who scored in the team's last match, also featuring in a forward area.

Xherdan Shaqiri is also set to keep his spot, while there will again be familiar names in the XI in the shape of Manuel Akanji, Granit Xhaka and Denis Zakaria.

Romania possible starting lineup:
Moldovan; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; Marin, Screciu; Hagi, Stanciu, Dragus; Puscas

Switzerland possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Comert, Akanji, Elvedi, U Garcia; Zakaria, Xhaka, Freuler; Shaqiri, Okafor, Vargas

SM words green background

We say: Romania 1-1 Switzerland

Switzerland are drawing games for fun at the moment, and we can see this one also ending in a low-scoring stalemate, which would see Romania top the section and secure a position in Pot 2 for the finals draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.