Wales v Switzerland predictions: Dragons may have to settle for a point
Pragmatic Page likely to prioritise defence over attack in Wales' opener

Free Euro 2020 football tips, best bets and analysis for Wales v Switzerland in Group A on Saturday.
Where to watch
BBC One, 2pm Saturday
Best bet
Draw
1pt 21-10 Betfred
Switzerland have never gone further than the round of 16 at a European Championships and might have to settle for a draw against Wales, who do not look significantly weaker than five years ago.
Team news
Wales
Robert Page has a fully fit squad to select from.
Switzerland
Uncapped trio Gregor Kobel, Dan Ndoye and Andi Zeqiri were the last to be trimmed from the squad, leaving Vladimir Petkovic with a fully fit group of 26 players.
Match preview
Wales opened up their historic Euro 2016 campaign with a 2-1 success over Slovakia but have been handed a tougher start to Euro 2020 and may be content to hold Switzerland to a draw in Baku.
Switzerland are the section's second-highest ranked nation but are not a team who enjoy forcing the pace.
Vladimir Petkovic, in the Swiss dugout since 2014, has built a solid unit with vast experience - seven players have won at least 60 caps -but major tournament progress has proved difficult to achieve.
The Swiss bowed out at the round of 16 at World Cups 2014 and 2018 and Euro 2016, and have not reached the last eight of a major tournament since a quarter-final exit on home soil at the 1954 World Cup.
They have qualified for seven of the last eight major tournaments so are clearly worthy of respect, but they looked on with envy five years ago as Wales battled their way through to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
Switzerland's failure to achieve a breakthrough can be put down to a lack of quality up front.
They scored five goals in four matches at Russia 2018 and still rely on largely the same pool of forwards with Mario Gavranovic and Breel Embolo competing to start alongside Haris Seferovic in Baku.
Seferovic has had a strong season with Benfica – scoring 22 league goals – but his modest international scoring record of 21 goals in 74 games underlines his struggle at the very highest level.
Wales do possess that star quality thanks to the end-of-season resurgence of Gareth Bale.
The 31-year-old was not always on the right side of former Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho but warmed up for the Euros with six goals in his last six Premier League appearances and looks primed to make an impact.
Wales have decent support for Bale, with Dan James offering pace and width and Aaron Ramsey and Harry Wilson providing energy and creativity.
And there is the useful substitute option of Cardiff target man Kieffer Moore.
However, while Wales have the edge in attack, their defence looks inexperienced with Chris Mepham and Joe Rodon preparing for major tournament debuts.
Wales manager Rob Page is aware of the need to protect his back three and could adopt a cautious approach which may stifle some of the attacking talent.
Overall, it could be a tight, tactical affair, raising the strong possibility of the points being shared.
Key stat
Switzerland drew three of their four matches at Euro 2016.
Inside info
Wales
Penalty taker Gareth Bale
Free-kick wizard Gareth Bale
Set-piece aerial threat Joe Rodon
Card magnet Chris Mepham
Switzerland
Penalty taker Ricardo Rodriguez
Free-kick wizardXherdan Shaqiri
Set-piece aerial threatFabian Schar
Card magnetGranit Xhaka
Lowdown
Venue Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku
Fans allowed 31000
Time Zone BST +3 hours
Weather Sunny, max 26C
FIFA rankings Wales (17), Switzerland (13)
Bet builder
Wales or draw double chance
Wales have suffered just one competitive defeat over the last two years – losing 3-1 away to Belgium – and can avoid defeat against the Swiss, who have won just two of 13 matches at European Championship finals.
Under three goals
Six of Wales's last eight competitive games have featured fewer than two goals and another low-scoring affair is on cards in Baku.
Chris Mepham to be booked
Wales defender Chris Mepham showed his rash side when he was sent off while playing for Bournemouth in the Championship playoffs and he looks a strong contender to enter the notebook of referee Clement Turpin.
The treble pays 13-2 with bet365
Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits
Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Today's top sports betting stories
Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport
Published on inEuro tips
Last updated
- Who will win Euro 2024? Predictions, team analysis and prospects
- Euro 2024 draw: England 10-11 to win group including holders Italy
- Euro 2022 final reaction: Mead 2-5 for Spoty as England end 56 years of hurt
- Sue Smith: England can emphasise shift in mentality with Wembley triumph
- England v Germany predictions: Lionesses can make history at Wembley
- Who will win Euro 2024? Predictions, team analysis and prospects
- Euro 2024 draw: England 10-11 to win group including holders Italy
- Euro 2022 final reaction: Mead 2-5 for Spoty as England end 56 years of hurt
- Sue Smith: England can emphasise shift in mentality with Wembley triumph
- England v Germany predictions: Lionesses can make history at Wembley