Switzerland vs Andorra

Switzerland’s decent-looking Euro 2024 qualifying campaign continues at Sion’s Stade de Tourbillon against perennial continental strugglers Andorra.

Switzerland dropped two separated leads in a gut-wrenching 2-2 draw against Kosovo last weekend, their second identical stalemate in Euro qualifiers following an action-packed home clash against Romania in June. After back-to-back draws, returning to winning ways is a must for Murat Yakin’s side, with their lead at the top of qualifying Group I dwindling following a three-game winning start. With third-placed Israel only three points adrift, the Swiss’ qualification for a third consecutive Euro tournament isn’t a foregone conclusion, but a victory over continental minnows Andorra should be. Despite winning all three competitive H2Hs in the 21st century, it’s worth noting two of those wins have come via the same 2-1 scoreline, indicating the ‘Nati’ may need to work their socks off to claim all three points.

On the other hand, a scoreless home draw against Belarus last time out saw Andorra bounce back from back-to-back 2-1 defeats to Switzerland and Israel, helping them put a second point on the board in the ongoing Euro qualifying campaign (D2, L3). However, the visitors find themselves in familiar territory, staring down the barrel of another winless Euro qualifying cycle, as they had done in their first six campaigns before bucking that trend in ‘2020’ (W1, D1, L8). Avoiding humiliation will be at the forefront of manager Koldo Alvarez’s mind after overseeing 12 consecutive internationals without a 3+ goal margin defeats. But the last time Andorra visited a country of Switzerland’s stature, they were on the receiving end of a 4-0 scoreline against England in September 2021.