The Gooner has been enjoying the thrills and spills of Euro 2020 - especially Bukaya Saka starring for England during their 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic earlier this week.

We'll have more on Arsenal's talented teen soon but in the meantime here's a preview of France vs Switzerland including Granit Xhaka ahead of the knock-out ties next week.  

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After overcoming Portugal and Germany in Group F, always dubbed the ‘Group of Death’, France were rewarded with a place in the round of 16 against Switzerland.

The Swiss are lesser-ranked than France’s group opponents, but are 13 th in the world, and shouldn’t be under-estimated. Switzerland finished as one of the best third-placed teams after a mixed bag of results in Group A.

For those looking at the France v Switzerland betting markets, you simply cannot look beyond Didier Deschamps’ side, and in fact, France haven’t lost to Switzerland since an international friendly in 1992.

France and Switzerland have met 39 times, with France winning 16 of those, losing 12 times and 11 matches finishing in a stalemate. Let’s look back at their last three fixtures – all in major tournaments.

Euro 2016: Switzerland 0-0 France

The two last met in the group stages at Euro 2016, which was hosted by France. The French had won their opening two matches and were favourites to progress, while Switzerland had won one and drawn one, with a place in the round of 16 looking likely.

The pair played out a goalless draw at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, which was enough to see France win Group A, and the Swiss finish as runners up. France had been clinical in front of goal prior to that encounter, boasting the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet up front – and the former went on to win the Golden Boot.

2014 World Cup: Switzerland 2-5 France

A much more thrilling encounter took place two years previous, at the 2014 World Cup, hosted by Brazil. France and Switzerland were placed alongside Ecuador and Honduras in Group E – and clashed in Salvador, in their second match of the group stages.

The French were five goals to the good, before Switzerland pulled back two late goals – and Deschamps’ side all but secured their place in the last-16.

Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock early on, before Blaise Matuidi added a second a minute later.
Karim Benzema had a penalty saved, but Mathieu Valbuena increased France’s advantage before half time.

Benzema, surely a dark horse in the race for EURO 2020 top scorers, finally hit the back of the net and Moussa Sissoko added a fifth for a five-star performance. And with time running out, Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka reduced the arrears – a mere consolation.

France won the group, while Switzerland progressed as runners up.

2006 World Cup: Switzerland 0-0 France

France’s 2006 World Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start, as they were held to a goalless draw by Switzerland in Group G. Both teams lacked a creative spark in the final third, and found opportunities hard to come by in the scorching Stuttgart heat.

The French could feel aggrieved, when Thierry Henry was denied a penalty - his shot was handled by Swiss defender Patrick Mueller, but the Russian referee waved his claims away.

And at the final whistle, Les Bleus fans made their feelings clear. Both teams made the knockout stages – Switzerland as group winners, and France as runners up.